| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Doug Crabtree |
| March 14, 2008 | (406) 444-9421 |
Cost-share Aids Conversion to Organic Specialty Crop
HELENA, Mont. — Agricultural producers seeking to grow certified organic fruits, vegetables, dry peas and other specialty crops can get partial reimbursement of the certification costs under a program administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture.
The amount available to each grower depends on how many people apply, says Ron de Yong, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. To receive organic certification, qualified growers pay application, inspection and assessment fees based on the size of their operations.
Funds available through a federal cost-share program several years ago were quickly exhausted in Montana. This year, the Montana Department of Agriculture will devote up to $37,500 from a federal specialty crop block grant to a similar cost-share effort to increase production and marketing opportunities for organic specialty crops.
The reimbursements are limited to specialty crop producers with gross sales of $100,000 or less. Under a federal definition, specialty crops include fruits, vegetables, dry peas, lentils and other crops not covered by USDA commodity programs. Growers may certifiy all or part of their operations, including single farms or fields. The cost share is available regardless of the amount of land certified.
For more information on the cost share program or organic certification, contact Doug Crabtree, organic certification program manager, at 444-9421 or by email at dcrabtree@mt.gov.
For more information, contact the Montana Department of Agriculture at (406) 444-2402 or by email at agr@mt.gov
