Cost share grants available for organic certification

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Farmers and food processors who would like to pursue organic certification may be able to get reimbursement from a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program reimburses producers and handlers of agricultural products up to 75% of the operation’s total allowable certification costs, maxing out at $750 per certification scope.

Applicants have until Oct. 31. to apply for reimbursement for the current fiscal year.

The Department of Agriculture offers three other cost share reimbursement programs through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. One offsets the cost of installing a Cool Bot storage unit and two other programs support businesses through the Good Agricultural Products Audit process.

City Roots co–owner Eric McClam has benefited from the reimbursement program at his Columbia community farm.

“The organic cost share reimbursement makes getting certified organic more financially achievable for all types and sizes of farmers,” McClam said in a news release. “It has allowed us to recoup the costs associated with organic certification, which we in turn utilize to produce more food for our community in South Carolina.”

To apply for reimbursement programs, click here.