Cost Sharing for Organic Certification

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has an Organic Cost Share Program that can rebate organic farmers for up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification. Applications are being accepted through October 31, 2019. Organic certification is a third party verification system that assures consumers the organic products they purchase are produced within the rules of organic certification. The third party reviews organic farmers records and includes at least one on site inspection each year.

The maximum rebate available is $750 per category, crop, livestock, processing/handling, and wild harvest. The MDA has a similar cost share program for transiting to organic. For more program details go to the MDA's website and click on the Organic Section or call Cassie Dahl, Organic Agriculture Specialists at 651-201-6134. The funds for this program are from a cooperative agreement with the USDA Farm Service Agency and the MDA. If you prefer you can also apply for the program at your local Farm Service Agency office.