permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

More good reading from Sal Schettino, as always keeping a sharp eye out 
for the scammers getting a near free ride on the sweat and investment of 
the real farmers, organic, natural and sustainable.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [SANET-MG] Organic Certification Cost Share - Deadline is 
Sept 30.
Date: Fri, 20 Aug 2010 09:57:13 -0700
From: sals3 <sals3@COX.NET>
Reply-To: Sustainable Agriculture Network Discussion Group 
<SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU>, sals3 <sals3@COX.NET>
To: SANET-MG@LISTS.IFAS.UFL.EDU

I am grateful for the help.  Its hard to keep track what you claim when 
with
this program .  was that the pay for last year or this year of what.  the
inspections and cert keep going up in cost because of this ,so you better
take advantage of it because the certifiers and inspectors build their
raises and organic  tax in to their program... they say don't worry the 
cost
is going up more, you have to pay more for miles and time and etc but the
government will [pay you back and we get that money.  so thanks for helping
the certifiers and inspectors raise the organic growing tax.  when they 
stop
this program and a lot of small farmers will be stuck with high cost and no
help .  the certifier and inspector can raise their pay any time they want
looks like to me and this is gift could be the set up that kills small
growers .  beware of geeks giving gifts its a trogon horse and   a set up .
at first it as a good thing but now its a excuse to raise the organic tax
and tax you more and more every year because you grow organic even more and
more.  and chemical growers win because it is backward  those that that use
poison don't pay and us that don't do.  .  so I hope this program goes on
because the cost of being organic is going way up because of it and they 
are
stealing even more from the small farmer. so when you hear the cost of 
being
organic is going up and the inspectors are going to charge more and on and
on but don't worry the government will pay 75% if you file all the stuff
right etc =you won't feel a thing. .  so sign up and lets get the cost of
organic growing way up there.  what get me is we have to grow, weed, face
bad weather,  do all the work market ,and pay for every thing fill out all
the paper work for organic free stand an inspection every year even though
you have change nothing and every year they will be there  to get paid over
and over again for the same old paper work they already got.  I have added
nothing I have trees so they don't move yet every year I have to fill out
paper work for free and then pay the inspectors lots of money to read the
same paper they read last year or so and pay them to drive down from where
every they chose and amount to drive down and look at the same trees every
year and the inspector are getting a raise  I need a raise where is my
raise?   they can give their self a raise any time they want along with the
certifier. they just send you a letter saying cost is going up don't worry
the government will pay 75%  not telling you that before this mafia set up
organic program the 25 per percent you pay  today is more than you use to
pay before the usda took over.  thanks for keeping us informed as to the
government help. with friends like this who needs enemies . and don't for
get u have to pay tax on that 75 per cent you giving away to the bottom
feeders so they give you money to give to the certifier and inspector and
tax you for that  money .  and then there is the state that adds another 
tax
on the top for the same thing the certifier does.  yeah we in cal. have to
pay the inspector the certifier and the state every year .  this does not
help with the state cost you pay the state a percent of what you sell.  so
may folks making so much money from the farmer if he sell over $5000 in
crops  can't tell you not to pay because its like the mafia if you don't 
pay
because you fill your right they will hurt you .  so we pay and pay and pay
and pay .  yeah cost are going up.  more hands in you pocket stealing even
more money because you grow and sell organic..
----- Original Message -----

From: Rakola, Betsy [mailto:Betsy.Rakola@ams.usda.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, August 17, 2010 2:53 PM

Organic Certification Reimbursements

The NOP administers a cost-share program for certified organic producers 
and
handlers. After receiving certification, participants may be reimbursed up
to 75% of costs related to organic certification, not to exceed $750
annually. They must comply with NOP regulations for organic production or
handling and have received certification or renewed their certification
within the established timeframe. This is a great opportunity for organic
operators to offset the rising cost of certification, and it can also make
certification affordable for those who wish to enter the organic market.

How to Apply

The current funding cycle ends September 30th, 2010, so individuals seeking
reimbursement should work with their state agencies and certifiers to 
submit
a complete application as soon as possible. Eligible producers and/or
handlers can find the contact for their state program on the website below.
The state agencies can provide further information and application 
packages.
http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOPCostShareProgramParticipants.

Betsy

Betsy Rakola
Grants Management Specialist
USDA National Organic Program
Room 2640, South - Ag Stop 0268
1400 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC 20250-0268
Tel 202-720-0081
Fax 202-205-7808
betsy.rakola@ams.usda.gov