Georgia Organics

Go Organic! - Organic Technical Assistance

Georgia Organics’ Farmer Services program offers a suite of services for transitioning and current USDA…

Transitioning and current USDA Certified Organic farmers in Georgia

From farmerservices.georgiaorganics.org/go-organic ↗

About this program

Certified Organic farmers through our GO Organic! initiative.

We understand the challenges of obtaining and maintaining Organic certification and our Farmer Services team is here to connect farmers to the resources and assistance they need.

Our Farmer Services team has been trained by the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) in Organic Crop & Organic Livestock inspection and can help you achieve Organic certification. Services include understanding NOP rules and regulations, advising on recordkeeping systems, understanding allowed and prohibited substances and practices, understanding prohibited infrastructure materials, and conducting mock inspections and audits prior to an official inspection.

Georgia Organics offers an organic cost share program to support Georgia farmers with certification expenses. Farmer Members can be reimbursed for 50%, up to $500, for their first-time certification fees, or 25%, up to $250, for their certification renewals. The Georgia Organics Cost Share is only offered while funding is available, and applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.

Georgia Organics launched the Georgia Certified Organic Network (GCON) in early 2023 with the intention to foster community for Certified Organic farmers within the state. GCON aims to create Certified Organic grower-to-grower connections in Georgia through organizing engaging discussions around shared best practices, collectively defined challenges, and the identification of necessary resources for success as an Organic grower or farmer. Members receive invitations to networking events and educational workshops, as well as customer-facing marketing materials for promoting the USDA Certified Organic brand.

Questions

Who can be reimbursed under the organic cost share program?

Farmer Members can be reimbursed for 50%, up to $500, for their first-time certification fees, or 25%, up to $250, for their certification renewals.

Do I need to be a Farmer Member to join GCON?

You must be a Georgia Organics Farmer Member in order to become a GCON member.

Is the cost share always available?

The Georgia Organics Cost Share is only offered while funding is available. Cost share applications are processed on a first-come first-served basis.

What help does the Farmer Services team provide with organic certification?

WE CAN HELP WITH: Understanding the National Organic Program (NOP) rules and regulations; Advising you on your recordkeeping system necessary for Organic certification; Understanding allowed and prohibited substances; Understanding allowed and prohibited practices; Understanding prohibited infrastructure materials; Conducting mock inspections and audits prior to an official inspection.

Details

Who
Transitioning and current USDA Certified Organic farmers in Georgia
Where
Georgia

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