PIERRE, S.D .- Organic agriculture producers and processors in South Dakota may be eligible to receive up to 75 percent reimbursement for their organic certification costs.

“The annual cost of certification is a major expense for both new and established organic producers,” said Ty Eschenbaum, value-added marketing specialist with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA).

To help minimize organic certification costs, SDDA is offering a 75 percent cost-share reimbursement program. Any organic producer or handler may receive up to $750 per qualified scope per year.

Reimbursement applications and supporting documents must be sent to SDDA for eligible certification or re-certification expenses incurred after Oct.1, 2011, and before Sept. 30, 2012. All applications will be reviewed and processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 15, 2012.

Program guidelines and applications are available online at www.sdda.sd.gov/AgDevelopment or will be sent upon request.

Funding for the program is provided through a cooperative agreement between SDDA and the Agricultural Marketing Service branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For more information or to receive an application form, contact SDDA at 605-773-5146 or email ty.eschenbaum@state.sd.us