[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 57863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-25458]


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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. 68, No. 194 / Tuesday, October 7, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 57863]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agriculture Marketing Service

[Doc. No. TM-03-10]


Notice of Agricultural Marketing Assistance Organic Certification 
Cost Share Program

AGENCY: Agricultural Marketing Service, 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 (AMS) for 
the Allocation of Organic Certification Cost-Share Funds. The AMS has 
allocated $1.0 million for this organic certification cost-share 
program in Fiscal Year 2003. Funds will be available under this program 
to 15 designated States to assist organic crop and livestock producers 
certified by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying 
agents to the National Organic Program (NOP). 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 November 21, 2003 in order 
to participate in this program.

ADDRESSES: Applications for federal assistance and cooperative 
agreements shall be requested from and submitted to: Robert Pooler, 
Agricultural 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 Home page at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pooler, Agricultural 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 Organic Certification Cost-Share 
Program is part of the Agricultural Management Assistance Program 
authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), as amended, (7 
U.S.C. 1521). Under the applicable FCIA provisions, the Department is 
authorized to provide cost share assistance to producers in the States 
of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New 
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, 
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. This organic certification cost 
share program provides financial assistance to organic producers 
certified to 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, 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 receiving certification or update of certification 
by a USDA accredited certifying agent from October 1, 2003 through 
September 30, 2004. The Department has determined that payments will be 
limited to 75 percent of an individual producer's certification costs 
up to a maximum of $500.00.

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 1521.

    Dated: October 2, 2003.
A.J. Yates,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing Service.
[FR Doc. 03-25458 Filed 10-6-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-02-P