The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that organic producers and handlers can now apply for funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2021, and Sept. 30, 2022, including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage. Reimbursement is up to $500 but they have announced an additional $20 million that will “complement” this cost-share program. Details are to be announced soon. You can sign up at your local FSA office or even better TDA is going to have an online signup. Check this website for details. https://tinyurl.com/aznme3ry
Texas A&M AgriLife Organic 