State officials have announced a new program that they hope will better assist organic producers or handlers.

Officials with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture say they are now accepting applications for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Programto help reduce organic certification costs.

The program, which is run bythe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), would allow each qualified producer or handler of organic food products to be eligible for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of its costs of certification, andcan not exceed $750.

Officials hope the new program will better promote Garden State-grown and marketed organic food products.

To qualify for reimbursement, producers or handlers must have been certified between Saturday, October 1st,2016 and Saturday, September 30th,2017.

Applications are due no later than Friday,November 17thof this year.

For an application or for more information visit: nj.gov/agriculture

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USDA Program to Help Organic Food Producers, Handlers in Garden State - SNJ Today