MADISON – Organic food processors and producers may begin applying for reimbursement of costs related to organic certification through the USDA National Organic Program. Farms and businesses that produce, process or package certified organic agricultural products are eligible to be reimbursed for 75 percent of certification-related costs – up to $750 per category of certification – for expenses paid from Oct. 1, 2013 through Sept. 30, 2014. The farms or businesses must have received an initial organic certification or a renewal of certification during that time, and they must be located in Wisconsin.

     The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has mailed the application forms to certified Wisconsin producers and processors, who can expect to receive them in the mail by Aug. 1. Forms also will be available on DATCP’s website and from DATCP staff. The deadline to apply is Nov. 15.

Send complete application forms to DATCP’s Juli Speck, DATCP-DAD, P.O. Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708-8911 or to [email protected]. Included with the completed application must be:

Applications materials and instructions can be found in the packet mailed from DATCP or online at
 datcp.wi.gov/farms/organic_farming.

The funding for this popular program originated in the 2002 Federal Farm Bill. The cost-share program was not available for the 2013 growing season, and participants cannot be reimbursed for money spent prior to Oct. 1, 2013. The funding comes from the federal government through the USDA National Organic Program. DATCP administers the funding.

Second Annual Native Food Sovereignty Summit that will be held at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin, April 14-17, 2014.  Last year's conference was fully booked and got rave reviews, so register now to ensure you have a seat at this one. Once again, it is proudly co-sponsored by the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, First Nations Development Institute, the Intertribal Agriculture Council and Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.Online registration, agenda and other information can be found at this link: http://www.firstnations.org/conferences/2014/food/summit.html