Hawai`i's organic farmers, organic livestock operators and organic produce handlers may apply for federal cost-sharing assistance for organic certification through the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) for the next year, according to a department news release.

HDOA has entered into two separate cooperative agreements with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). One is a new program for Hawai`i organic farmers and the other involves a continuing program that will assist organic produce handlers. Organic farmers and livestock operators are required to have their farms and practices certified by a certifying agent approved by the USDA. Organic produce handlers, such as wholesalers and distributors, must also be certified, according to the news release.

HDOA has been notified that Hawai`i has been added to the list of states eligible to participate in the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Program, which was authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act. Under this program, reimbursement of 75 percent of the cost of certification (up to $750) is available to eligible organic crop farmers and livestock producers who receive certification or who are continuing with certification under the National Organic Program during the period of Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2009. Hawai`i has been awarded funding of up to $75,000 for this program.

Since 2004, HDOA has administered $40,000 to organic farmers under the certification cost reimbursement program provided by the USDA National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program. Under the Farm Bill passed by the U.S. Congress earlier this year, funds have been allotted to continue this program. However, since Hawai`i is included in the AMA program described above, this program will provide cost-sharing assistance only for organic handlers for 75 percent of certification costs (up to $750). Funding of $10,000 has been allotted for Hawai`i through this program for the period Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, 2009.

To receive the reimbursement, a crop or livestock producer or handler in Hawai`i must receive organic certification or update of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2009. Information and an application will be available at the HDOA Web site at www.hawaii.gov/hdoa.