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Florida Organic Growers, IFAS present
April workshops provide the tools for growers to transition to organic

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida Organic Growers (FOG) will team up with the University of Florida IFAS to present two Organic Transition workshops in April: Wednesday, April 22 at the IFAS Extension facility in Homestead and Thursday, April 23 at the UF/IFAS Southwest Florida Research & Education Center in Immokalee. Commercial growers who are interested in transitioning to organic production will learn about organic farming practices, regulations, and organic farm plan development. The program includes an update on financial incentives available to transitioning producers included in the 2008 Farm Bill.

The workshops are part of FOG’s Organic Transition & Pesticide Reduction initiative that offers farmers free technical assistance to transition to organic production by pairing growers with an experienced organic production crop advisor. The advisor, FOG staff, and allied professionals offer support, technical know-how and assurance growers may need or desire to successfully make the transition.

Growers who transition to organic production gain access to the organic foods marketplace, which, in the U.S., has grown from $1 billion in sales in 1990 to an estimated $23 billion in 2008.

“The organic marketplace continues to expand and Florida growers may want to seriously consider the market opportunities,” FOG Executive Director Marty Mesh said.

In addition to assisting transitional growers, FOG’s program is open to Florida fruit, vegetable, and row-crop producers who are motivated to reduce their use of pesticides. Growers who participate with the goal of reducing pesticide use and abandoning high-risk pesticides can work with a Crop Advisor to learn and adopt sustainable farming practices and sound Integrated Pest Management.

To register for the April 22 workshop in Homestead, contact Teresa Olczyk at 305-248-3311 or twol@ufl.edu. To register for the April 23 workshop in Immokalee, contact Gene McAvoy at 863-674-4092 or gmcavoy@ufl.edu.

Registration is $15 and includes lunch, refreshments, and a resource binder. Growers who would like to work with a Crop Advisor through the Organic Transition & Pesticide Reduction program, can contact Matt Vargas at 352-377-6345 or matt@foginfo.org.

More information, including the application to participate in the program, can be found at www.foginfo.org/epa

Florida farmers/handlers eligible for organic certification reimbursement

Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers, Inc. (FOG) is accepting applications from certified organic growers and handlers in Florida for reimbursement of up to 75% of certification costs, or a maximum of $750. Reimbursement for certification costs paid between Oct. 1, 2008, and Sept. 30, 2009, will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. The deadline for submitting applications is October 15, 2009.

“FOG worked with other prominent national sustainable and agricultural organizations to make the national organic certification cost share reimbursement program a high priority in the 2008 Farm Bill. We are pleased to be part of this important effort to assist farmers in the state of Florida,” FOG Executive Director Marty Mesh said.

To qualify for the organic certification cost share reimbursement, an operator must have certified organic farm or production facilities in Florida, must hold an organic certificate issued by a USDA accredited certification agency issued between Oct. 1, 2008, and Sept. 30, 2009, and must not have previously received cost share reimbursement for the same period.

FOG is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation that began in 1989 to promote organic and sustainable agriculture, healthy and just food systems, working diligently to educate producers, consumers, media, institutions and governments about the benefits of organic and sustainable agriculture.

The Certification Cost Share Program and the Organic Transition Program that offers free crop advisors for growers interested in transitioning to organic production are programs FOG operates to encourage growers and handlers to become certified organic producers. It is the hope that the Certification Cost Share Program will aid growers who have been reluctant to get certified because of the cost associated.

For additional information, visit www.foginfo.org, call 352-377-6345 or email fog@foginfo.org