BISMARCK – Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said that the date to apply for reimbursement of organic certification costs through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program for fiscal year 2020 has been extended until Dec. 10, 2020.
“Organic farmers, ranchers, processors and handlers can receive up to $500 of the organic certification costs paid between Oct. 1, 2019 and Sept. 30, 2020,” Goehring said.
Certification assures consumers that products are produced by recognized organic methods. Certification enables organic producers and processors to label and sell their products with a federal organic seal. Such products typically command a higher price in the marketplace.
Applicants must provide a 2020 cost share application form, a copy of a dated certificate or letter from a certifier verifying certification between Oct. 1, 2019 and Sept. 30, 2020, an itemized statement showing payment between October 1, 2019 and Sept. 30, 2020, and a completed IRS W-9 Form for new applicants. Applications must be postmarked by Dec. 10, 2020, but are reimbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis until funds are depleted.
Applicants who are certified by International Certification Services or the Organic Crop Improvement Association Chapter 1 should apply for reimbursement through the certifier. These organizations certify most North Dakota organic producers. All other producers should contact Deanna Gierszewski at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-328-2191 or degierszewski@nd.gov.
Goehring said the program provides North Dakota producers with $70,800 for certification reimbursement for 2020.
More information, including program guidelines and application forms, are available on the North Dakota Department of Agriculture website at https://www.nd.gov/ndda/marketing-information-division/organics/organic-certification-cost-share-program.
Potential applicants that do not wish to apply through the North Dakota Department of Agriculture can request assistance from the Farm Service Agency.