Department of Agriculture

HONOLULU – Federal funds have been renewed to assist Hawai`i’s organic farmers, organic livestock operators and organic produce handlers with the cost of obtaining organic certification.  Two cooperative agreements have been recently executed between the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that will make funds available beginning October 1, 2009.

Organic farmers and livestock operators are required to have their farms and practices inspected annually and certified by an agent approved by the USDA.  Seventy-five percent of the cost of this inspection and certification (up to a maximum of $750) is eligible for reimbursement under the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) program authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act.  This is the second consecutive year that Hawai`i has participated in this program to assist organic producers with their certification costs.  Once again, Hawai`i has been allotted $75,000 to fund the program for the period of
October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010.

The USDA has a separate program to assist companies certified as organic processors/handlers.  As with the growers, processors/handlers are required to be inspected and re-certified annually.  Through the USDA National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, funding of $15,000 has been allotted to Hawai`i to reimburse 75 percent of the cost of this certification (up to a maximum of $750). 

To receive reimbursement, the date of certification or renewal by a USDA accredited certifying agent must occur between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010.  More information and the application form are available online at the HDOA website at: https://hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/md/OrganicProducers

 

  For application assistance, please contact:

 

HDOA Market Development Branch

1428 S. King Street, Room 214

Honolulu, HI  96814-2512

Phone: (808) 973-9595                      
Fax:  (808) 973-9590

Email:  [email protected]