The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is pleased to announce that certification cost share assistance will be available to eligible Michigan organic handlers and producers for the period of October 1, 2010 through September 30, 2011.

The program is offered on behalf of the USDA National Organic Cost Share Program which is authorized under the 2008 Farm Bill.   The application for cost share reimbursement as well as instructions on how to register as a vendor for the State of Michigan can be downloaded here. 

Your operation must have been inspected and certified by a National Organic Program (NOP) accredited certifying agent during this specified time period in order to qualify.  MDARD is authorized to pay 75% of the certification and user costs up to $750 per certification. Allowable costs are indicated on the enclosed instruction pages.  You must register as a vendor with the state of Michigan and sign up to receive your payment via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). 

It is recommended that you begin this process immediately!  Failure to do so or to provide any of the required documentation will result in the rejection of your application.  Your application along with all required supporting documentation must be postmarked on or before October 1, 2011.  Applications postmarked after October 1, 2011 will NOT be accepted.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Jeanette Towsley at (517) 241-2978 or via email at towsleyj@michigan.gov.