SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Dec. 1, 2009

Media Contact: Robert Weyrich, 605-773-5436

Dec. 15 Deadline for Organic Certification Reimbursement

Pierre, S.D. – Organic producers seeking reimbursements for the cost of certifying their operations must apply to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) by December 15, 2009.  The SDDA will not accept applications postmarked after that date.

Producers who incurred costs to become certified under the National Organic Program before October 1, 2009 are encouraged to submit a reimbursement application before the deadline.  Certification costs incurred after October 1 will qualify for next year’s assistance program.  Applications for 2010 will be available after January 1.

Seventy-five percent of a producer’s certification expenses, up to a maximum of $750, are eligible for reimbursement.  The funds are available as part of a cooperative agreement between SDDA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program.  The SDDA has offered reimbursements for certified organic programs since 2002.  

Information packets and application forms are available at www.dakotaflavor.com or may be obtained by calling SDDA at 800-228-5254.

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