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The National Organic Cost Share Program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 7901 note, as amended by section 10004(c) of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill)., Title 7, Part 94, Section 7901, Public Law 113-79, 7 U.S.C 7901.

The objective of this program is to provide financial assistance to certified organic producers and handlers.

Yes

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Individuals; Small Businesses; For-Profit Organizations; Nonprofit Organizations;

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Direct Payments for Specific Use

Meeting the Needs of the Most Vulnerable

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Organic operations may apply for cost-share assistance once they receive proof of USDA organic certification from an accredited certifying agent or, if they are renewing an existing certification, after they incur allowable expenses. Applications should be submitted to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which administers the program on behalf of the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The following documents are required: 1. A copy of the applicant's organic certificate; 2. An itemized invoice detailing the costs incurred to obtain certification; 3. A completed, one-page State Application Form; and 4. A W-9 Tax Form. Upon receipt of an application, the department will attempt to confirm certification and then verify the allowable expenditures. Any reimbursements due will be sent to the mailing address listed on the State Application Form, which must match the address listed on the applicant’s W-9. Payments will be made on a first-come, first-served basis until the limited program funds are exhausted. Operations may apply for reimbursement even if they have received payments through the program in previous federal fiscal years. However, they only can receive one reimbursement per certification category per year.

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This program does not have a cost-sharing or matching requirement.

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program reimburses eligible producers and handlers for 75% of their certification expenses, up to a maximum of $750 per year. Funds only may be used to provide payments to certified organic producers and handlers.

None.

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Program guidelines are published in the Proposal Submission Guide, which is included in application packets and made available free of charge on the department's website at www.agr.state.il.us/grants.

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Additional information about the program is available on the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service’s website www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/occsp.

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11/3/2015