Organic farmers can still get certification aid

BISMARCK (AP) — Organic farmers and ranchers in North Dakota still have about a week and a half left to apply for help paying their certification costs.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said organic producers can receive up to $750 for fiscal 2012, which concluded at the end of September. He said so far, more than 75 people have received more than $56,000 from the National Organic Cost Share Program. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31.

In fiscal 2011, more than 150 farmers and ranchers in the state received a total of more than $110,000.

Certification enables producers to label and sell their organic products with a federal seal assuring they were produced with recognized organic methods.

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