WASHINGTON, DC – Today, US Senator Herb Kohl, Chairman of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, announced $22 million in federal funds are being made available to assist with organic certification in states, including Wisconsin. 

"I have always been an advocate for transition assistance that helps family farms make the leap to organic certification," Kohl said.  "These grants will enable Wisconsin's organic agricultural businesses to grow and flourish, while providing help for farmers who are making the transition from conventional farming to organic."

The funds are being allocated to states through the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, authorized by the Farm Bill Senator Kohl voted to enact.  The funds will be allocated based on the amount of organic production and handling that occurs in the state.  The program's resources are administered by the US Department of Agriculture to states, which, in turn, will reimburse eligible producers and handlers up to 75 percent of their organic certification costs up to $750.

Qualifying organic production or handling operations in Wisconsin must comply with USDA National Organic Program regulations and have received certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. 

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