Opportunity Information: Apply for AMS NOP 11 0072
Apply for AMS NOP 11 0072
- The Agricultural Marketing Service in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2011 National Organic Certification Cost Share Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.171 Organic Certification Cost Share Programs.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 25, 2011 and posted on Aug 1, 2011.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 15, 2011. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $5,345,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,050,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 51 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
- To participate in this program, interested States, through their State Department of Agriculture, must complete an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) and enter into a written cooperative agreement with AMS. State Department of Agriculture refers to agencies, commissions, or departments of State government responsible for implementing regulation, policy or programs on agriculture within their State.
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Opportunity Summary:
The 2011 National Organic Certification Cost Share Program is a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grant opportunity designed to help offset the cost of becoming certified organic and keeping that certification active. The program is authorized by federal law under 7 U.S.C. 6523, as updated by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, and it supports the broader National Organic Program created under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. In practical terms, this funding exists to reduce the financial burden that organic producers and handlers face when paying a USDA-accredited certifying agent for initial certification or annual renewal and related certification expenses required under the USDA organic regulations (7 CFR 205).
Funding is not paid directly from USDA to individual farms or businesses. Instead, AMS distributes money to participating state agencies, and those states then reimburse eligible organic producers and handlers within their borders. The only eligible applicants for this federal award are state governments, acting through their State Department of Agriculture (or a similar state agency, commission, or department responsible for agricultural programs). To participate, a state must submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) and enter into a cooperative agreement with AMS. The funding instrument listed is a cooperative agreement, reflecting ongoing coordination between AMS and states as the states administer reimbursements and follow federal program rules.
For organic operations, the key benefit is the cost-share reimbursement formula set by statute. Eligible producers and handlers can be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of their certification costs, capped at a maximum payment of $750 per year per operation. The expenses covered are tied to certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent, meaning the program is aimed specifically at recognized USDA organic certification costs rather than general business expenses. To actually receive reimbursement, organic producers and handlers are directed to apply through their own State Department of Agriculture, using the procedures spelled out in the program policies and procedures document referenced in the announcement.
The opportunity was posted August 1, 2011, with an application closing date of November 15, 2011, and an archive date of December 15, 2011. It is listed as a mandatory opportunity under CFDA 10.171 (Organic Certification Cost Share Programs) and states that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement for the state applicants. The announcement anticipated 51 awards, aligning with broad nationwide participation, with an estimated total funding amount of $5,345,000. Individual state awards could vary widely, with an award floor of $5,000 and an award ceiling of $1,050,000, depending on the state program and allocation.
Administrative support for the announcement is provided through AMS, and the listed grants management contact is Betsy Rakola (202-720-0081, betsy.rakola@ams.usda.gov) for assistance accessing the full announcement or addressing application issues.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the 2011 National Organic Certification Cost Share Program?
The 2011 National Organic Certification Cost Share Program is a USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) grant opportunity intended to help reduce the cost of becoming certified organic and maintaining (renewing) USDA organic certification. The program supports the broader National Organic Program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990.
What costs is this program designed to offset?
This funding is intended to offset expenses tied specifically to USDA organic certification or continuation of certification by a USDA-accredited certifying agent, including costs associated with initial certification and annual renewal required under USDA organic regulations (7 CFR 205).
Does USDA pay reimbursements directly to organic farms or businesses?
No. USDA AMS does not reimburse individual farms or businesses directly. AMS provides funds to participating state agencies, and those state agencies reimburse eligible organic producers and handlers located within their states.
Who is eligible to apply for the federal award under this opportunity?
The only eligible applicants for the federal award are state governments, acting through their State Department of Agriculture (or a similar state agency, commission, or department responsible for agricultural programs).
How do states participate in the program?
To participate, a state must submit an Application for Federal Assistance (Standard Form 424) and enter into a cooperative agreement with USDA AMS. The cooperative agreement reflects ongoing coordination between AMS and the state as the state administers reimbursements and follows federal program rules.
How do organic producers and handlers receive reimbursement?
Organic producers and handlers apply through their own State Department of Agriculture (or the relevant state agency). The state uses program policies and procedures referenced in the announcement to process applications and issue reimbursements to eligible operations.
What is the reimbursement rate and maximum payment per operation?
Eligible producers and handlers can be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of their certification costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $750 per year per operation.
Are general business expenses covered by this cost share program?
The program is aimed at recognized USDA organic certification costs paid to a USDA-accredited certifying agent for certification or continuation of certification. The opportunity description focuses on certification-related expenses rather than general business expenses.
What laws and regulations authorize and govern this program?
The program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 6523, as updated by the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, and it supports the National Organic Program created under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. Certification requirements referenced are under the USDA organic regulations at 7 CFR 205.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, indicating that AMS and participating states coordinate as states administer the program and comply with federal rules.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.171, Organic Certification Cost Share Programs.
Is this a mandatory grant opportunity?
Yes. The announcement lists the opportunity as mandatory.
Is there a state cost-sharing or matching requirement?
No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement for state applicants.
When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?
The opportunity was posted on August 1, 2011. The application closing date was November 15, 2011.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed for the opportunity is December 15, 2011.
How many awards were anticipated?
The announcement anticipated 51 awards, aligning with broad nationwide participation.
What was the estimated total funding amount?
The estimated total funding amount listed is $5,345,000.
What were the minimum and maximum award amounts for states?
Individual state awards could vary widely, with an award floor of $5,000 and an award ceiling of $1,050,000, depending on the state program and allocation.
Who administers support for this announcement?
Administrative support for the announcement is provided through USDA AMS.
Who is the grants management contact for questions about the announcement?
The listed grants management contact is Betsy Rakola at 202-720-0081 or betsy.rakola@ams.usda.gov, for assistance accessing the full announcement or addressing application issues.
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