[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 28419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-12937]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 100 / Wednesday, May 23, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 28419]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Service

[TM-01-02]


Notice of Organic Certification Cost Share Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Services, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice invites eligible States to submit a Standard Form 
424, Application for Federal Assistance, and to enter into a 
Cooperative Agreement with the Agricultural Marketing Service for the 
Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The Agricultural 
Marketing Service (AMS) has allocated $1.0 million for an organic 
certification cost-share program in Fiscal Year 2001. Funds will be 
available under this program to 15 designated States to assist organic 
crop and livestock producers in transitioning into the new National 
Organic Program. Eligible States interested in obtaining cost-share 
funds for their organic producers will have to submit an Application 
for Federal Assistance, and will have to enter into a cooperative 
agreement with AMS for the allocation of such funds.

DATES: Completed applications for federal assistance along with signed 
cooperative agreements must be received by July 9, 2001 in order to 
participate in the program.

ADDRESSES: Applications for federal assistance and cooperative 
agreements shall be requested from and submitted to: Bob Pooler, 
Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP, PO 
Box 96456, Room 2510-South, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20090-6456; 
Telephone: (202) 690-3655; Fax: (202) 205-7808; e-mail: 
[email protected]. Additional information may be found through the 
National Organic Program s homepage at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bob Pooler, Marketing Specialist, 
National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TM/NOP, PO Box 96456, Room 2510-
South, Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC, 20090-6456; Telephone: (202) 690-
3655; Fax: (202) 205-7808; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Organic Certification Cost-Share Program 
is part of the Agricultural Management Assistance Program authorized 
under the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000 (ARPR), Public Law 
106-224, section 524, 114 Stat. 387 (2000), 7 U.S.C. 1524. Under the 
applicable ARPR provisions, the Department is authorized to provide 
cost share assistance to producers in not more than 15 states which 
have a historically low participation rate in the Federal crop 
insurance program. One of the purposes of the ARPR's cost-share program 
is to assist producers in transitioning to the new National Organic 
Program authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, 7 
U.S.C. 6501-6522.
    The Department has determined that the following States are 
eligible to participate in the program: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, or Wyoming.
    To participate in the program, eligible States must complete a 
Standard Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, and enter into a 
written cooperative agreement with AMS. The program will provide cost-
share assistance, through participating States, to organic crop and 
livestock producers who have been certified by a certifying agent as of 
December 21, 2000. The Department has determined that payments will be 
limited to 70 percent of an individual producer's certification costs 
up to a maximum of $500.00.

    Authority: Pub. L. 106-224, section 524, 114 Stat. 387 (2000), 7 
U.S.C. 1524.

    Dated: May 17, 2001.
Kenneth C. Clayton,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-12937 Filed 5-22-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P