[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 212 (Friday, November 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 66601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27768]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 212 / Friday, November 1, 2002 / 
Notices  

[[Page 66601]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Marketing Service

[Doc.  TM-02-08]


Notice of Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 National 
Organic Certification Cost-Share Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Services, USDA.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This Notice invites all States of the United States of 
America, its territories, the District of Columbia, and the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (collectively hereinafter called 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 National Organic Certification Cost-Share 
Funds. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has allocated $5.0 
million for this organic certification cost-share program in Fiscal 
Year 2002. Funds will be available under this program to all interested 
States to assist organic producers or organic handlers certified to the 
National Organic Program. States interested in obtaining cost-share 
funds for their organic producers or organic handlers 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 December 31, 2002 in order 
to participate in the program.

ADDRESSES: Applications for federal assistance and cooperative 
agreements shall be requested from and submitted to: Robert Pooler, 
Marketing Specialist, National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TMP/NOP, Room 
4008-South, Ag Stop 0268, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 
20250-0264; Telephone: (202) 720-3252; 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: Robert Pooler, Marketing Specialist, 
National Organic Program, USDA/AMS/TM/NOP, Room 4008-South, Ag Stop 
0268, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-0264; 
Telephone: (202) 720-3252; Fax: (202) 205-7808; E-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This National Organic Certification Cost-
Share Program is part of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 
2002 (Act) Public Law 107-171, 116 Stat. 134, 7 U.S.C. Sec.  6523. 
Under this Act, USDA is authorized to provide certification cost share 
assistance to producers or handlers of organic agricultural products in 
all States. This National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program 
provides financial assistance to organic producers or organic handlers 
of agricultural products in obtaining certification under the National 
Organic Program authorized under the Organic Foods Production Act of 
1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.). To participate in the 
program, interested 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 producers or 
organic handlers who have been certified by a USDA accredited 
certifying agent to the National Organic Program beginning April 29, 
2002. Sections 10606 (b)(1) and (2) 7 U.S.C. 6523, of the Act requires 
that payments be limited to 75 percent of the costs incurred by a 
producer or handler in obtaining certification under the National 
Organic Program as certified to and approved by the Secretary, up to a 
maximum of $500.00 per year.
    Producers who participate in the Organic Certification Cost-Share 
Program authorized under Section 1524 of the Federal Crop Insurance 
Act, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 1501-1524) are not eligible to participate 
in the producer portion of the National Organic Certification Cost-
Share Program.

    Authority: Pub. L. No. 107-171-116 Stat. 134, 7 U.S.C. Sec.  
6523.

    Dated: October 28, 2002.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 02-27768 Filed 10-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P