Department of Agriculture and Forestry, State of Louisiana - Mike Strain DVM, Commissioner

NEWS

LDAF Accepting State Organic Cost-Share Rebate applications

August 14, 2019

Baton Rouge, La. (August 14, 2019) – Louisiana agricultural producers and handlers who obtained USDA Organic certification or recertification may qualify for reimbursement of their costs through a 2019 State Organic Cost-Share Rebate program, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said.

The rebates are available for USDA Organic certification and recertification expenses incurred between Oct. 1, 2018 and Sept. 30, 2019. The program will provide reimbursements of up to 75 percent of certification and recertification costs, or up to $750 per year per certification category.  Producers must go through their local FSA office to apply for their federal reimbursement before submitting an application for state reimbursement through the LDAF.

“Earning the USDA Organic certification can be a costly and lengthy process,” Strain said. “This cost-share program is one way producers can offset these expenses.”

Applications must be received by close of business (4:30 p.m.) December 31, 2019.

The program is funded through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA).

The 2019 state Organic Cost-Share Rebate applications are available at www.LDAF.la.gov. Reimbursements will be on a first-come, first-served basis, based on receipt of the completed application packet, until available funding is exhausted.

For more information, contact Jeremy Hendrix at 225-952-8155.

###