There are cost-share funds available for organic certification. North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) is administering a program through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help offset the costs of organic certification. For any certification occurring between October 1, 2010 and September 30, 2011, NCDA&CS will pay 75% of the certification cost, up to $750. This program is funded through a grant and is on a first come, first serve basis until the funds are depleted.
For a farm to be eligible for this program it must be located within North Carolina and must be certified by a business or organization that is accredited by the USDA to certify organic operations.
Please note that if your gross annual income from organic farming is less than $5,000 per year, you do not have to be certified under the national organic standards. However, you should continue using organic production practices in your business as if you are a certified operation.
To take advantage of this offer, please visit www.ncdaorganic.org, download the form, fill it out entirely and mail it back to the address at the bottom with copies of receipts, a completed IRS W-9 form and the certification. These forms must be turned in by September 30, 2011.
If you have any questions about this program, call or e-mail Heather Lifsey who is a a Marketing Specialist with NCDA. Her phone number is 919-707-3127.
August 31, 2010
10:00am-1:00pm (Registration opens at 9:30)
Mountain Research Station
265 Test Farm Road
Waynesville
Come visit the NEW Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit and see first year trials with peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli. Do you have questions about varieties suitable for the western mountain region, or organic weed and disease management? Heirloom and heirloom-type tomato varieties along with several varieties of grafted tomatoes will be showcased and TASTED. See which barrier and cover crop methods do the best job managing weeds in peppers and also the opportunities and challenges of growing fall broccoli. At the end, enjoy a light lunch including the tomato tasting, attend a trade show, and provide your input for the future plans of the Mountain Organic Research and Extension Unit. You can also help come up with a name for it. The workshop is free and open to the public. Come on out!
This project is lead by Dr. Jeanine Davis, North Carolina State University, Department of Horticultural Science, and funded by USDA Specialty Crops Block grant administered through the NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. Sponsorship for lunch was provided by Brandt Consolidated, 5th Season Gardening Co., Reems Creek Nursery, Inc., the Waynesville Farmers' Coop, and others.
For more information, http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/events/specialtyhort-events-calendar.html
