U.S.: Farm Bill funding pays greater attention to organic growers - FreshFruitPortal.com

U.S.: Farm Bill funding pays greater attention to organic growers

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U.S.: Farm Bill funding pays greater attention to organic growers

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will make around US$13 million in Farm Bill funding available for organic certification cost-share assistance, which is double the amount issued two years ago. shutterstock_110849273 - olive trees sq

A USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) release emphasized the funding would make certification more accessible than ever for small certified producers and handlers.

"Consumer demand for organic products is surging across the country," U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said in the release.

"To meet this demand, we need to make sure that small farmers who choose to grow organic products can afford to get certified.

"Organic food is now a multi-billion dollar industry, and helping this sector continue to grow creates jobs across the country."

The timing could not be better for the organic sector, which received a significant boost recently after an international meta-analysis led by Newcastle University in the U.K. found organic crops could have 18-69% more antioxidants than conventional crops.

The AMS will administer US$11.5 million through the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, which is available to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories.

An additional US$1.5 million will also be available to organic operations in Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming, through the AMS' Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.

The programs will cover up to 75% of an individual grower's or handler's certification costs, up to a maximum of US$750 per certification. The release said the National Organic Program (NOP) would help states - which will each have their own reimbursement guidelines and requirements - as much as possible to successfully implement their programs.

The cost-share assistance will be for certification-related expenses incurred from Oct.1 last year to Sept. 30, 2014.

The USDA issued close to 10,000 cost-share reimbursements totaling more than  US$6.5 million to support the organic industry and the rural U.S.

"USDA has a number of new and expanded efforts to connect organic farmers and businesses with resources that will ensure the continued growth of the organic industry domestically and abroad," the release said.

"During this Administration, USDA has signed four major trade agreements on organic products, and is also helping organic stakeholders access programs that support conservation, provide access to loans and grants, fund organic research and education, and mitigate pest emergencies.

"Through the NOP, USDA has helped organic farmers and businesses achieve $35 billion annually in U.S. retail sales. The organic community includes over 25,000 organic businesses in more than 120 different countries around the world."

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

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