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The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Director, Don Koivisto announced today that MDA has signed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute federal funds to Michigan organic handlers/producers for reimbursement of certification costs.
This program will reimburse organic handlers/producers for up to %75 of the cost of certification not to exceed $750. The current reimbursement period is October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. MDA will only receive applications until the cutoff date of June 8, 2009.
Organic handlers/producers are required to submit a completed application, along with the required support documentation to receive reimbursement for the certification costs.
The cost share program application is available on MDA’s web-site at
The http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/mda_Cost_Share_Letter_275624_7.pdf
The 2008 Farm Bill contained various changes to the Farm Storage Facility Loan Program. The addition of cold storage is at the secretary’s discretion. Public meetings, for public comments, were held April 14, 2009 in Kansas City, KS and on April 15, 2009 in Cleveland, OH. There weren’t any fruit or vegetable growers at the meetings, so there was no input on the need for cold storage.
Public comments will be received through May 13, 2009. Comments can be submitted by Mail: FSFL PEA, Geo-Marine Incorporated, 2713 Magruder Blvd, Suite D, Hampton, VA 23666-1572 or Internet: http://public.geo-marine.com
There is a copy of the Federal Register containing the information pertaining to the FSFL program on the home page of the Michigan Organic web site: www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu