2009 Organic Certification Cost Share Applications now being accepted
For the first time since 2005, cost-share funds for organic certification are available in Wisconsin.  2009 is the second year of what should be five years of cost share funding provided in the 2008 Federal Farm Bill. This popular program helps organic farmers and processors pay for their organic certification.  Funding comes from the federal government, through the USDA National Organic Program. The program is administered through the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection. 

Application materials are available below or may be requested from Laura Paine, Organic Agriculture Specialist at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, at 608-224-5120 or via email at laura.paine@wi.gov.

The program provides for a 75% cost-share of certification costs with a maximum payment of $750 per farm or processor.  Wisconsin was initially allocated approximately $256,000 per year for the first two years of the program.  Due to the popularity of the program, we have requested an additional $330,000. All certified organic farms and handlers are eligible for cost sharing on a first-come, first-served basis.  Applications for fiscal year 2009 certifications (October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2009) are being accepted through October 15, 2009.

Letter  from Secretary Nilsestuen (2 page PDF)

Frequently Asked Questions (2 page PDF)

Application form (1 page Word doc)

W-9 form (3 page Word doc)

Return your application to:
Laura Paine
DATCP-DAD
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI  53708

Impacts of the August 2007 flooding on organic and conventional vegetable farmers; Issues to address for recovery support and technical assistance
A report by the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council

Fresh market vegetable growers in southern Wisconsin were hit hard by record rains during August of 2007. The Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council was involved in assisting several prominent organic producers in the area and has analyzed both the short term and long term issues brought to light by the flooding. Many acres had to be discarded due to contamination by flood waters. Many crops rotted in the field and further losses were incurred when farmers were unable to plant fall crops in the wet soils. We estimate that total losses may exceed $15 million from over 400 fresh market vegetable farms in the 14 counties. This growing sector of Wisconsin's agricultural economy that touches most directly the non-farming public can benefit from a cooperative effort among agencies to address these issues.

Read the report (10 page PDF)

Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council
The Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council (OAC) is a private sector body appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to advise agriculture agencies, farmers, processors and consumers on organic agriculture issues.  The Advisory Council was established in response to recommendations by the 2004 Governor's Task Force on Organic Agriculture.  A cooperating Interagency Team composed of representatives of major state and federal agriculture agencies meets with the Council.  The group first met in February 2006. 

Agendas and minutes are posted on the following website: www.organic.wisc.edu

Mission Statement
The Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council brings together public and private resources to promote Wisconsin’s national leadership position in Organic Agriculture. By advising the Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and other organizations and agencies on critical organic issues, the council supports organic production, processing, and purchasing opportunities for Wisconsin farmers, processors, and consumers.

Purpose
The purpose of the Council will be to provide guidance to the Secretary of Agriculture, the Governor, the Legislature, and other state agencies on actions that can be taken to further the Wisconsin organic industry.  Member terms are on a three-year rotating basis, with four members going off each year.   The Council conducts its business via quarterly all-day meetings.

Structure
The Council consists of 12 people representing the spectrum of organic production, processing, and marketing in Wisconsin and will include:

• 3 certified organic farmers, preferably reflecting several types of farms (dairy, vegetable, etc.).
• 3 organic business sector representatives.
• 1 representative of organic consumers.
• 1 representative of a private, non-profit educational organization involved in organic agriculture.
• 1 representative of the certification industry.
• 3 at-large members.

Current Advisory Council Members

Current Interagency Implementation Team members

Advisory Council Activities
The Advisory Council and Interagency Team meets three to four times annually and have begun to develop detailed recommendations to carry out each of the six priorities set out by the Task Force.  Other activities to date include the following:  

In anticipation of renewal of the federal Farm Bill, the council developed a set of recommendations that was shared with Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.  In response to the flooding of August 2007, the council developed a white paper identifying issues and sharing ideas for dealing with future natural disasters of this sort.  Outreach and educational efforts include the development and printing of this document and establishment of an organic farmer mentoring program. 

History
In 2004, Governor Doyle set a goal for Wisconsin to "lead the nation in organic agriculture."  On March 15 of that year, he convened an Organic Summit to begin a dialogue between the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, the University of Wisconsin College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the organic industry in the state to determine how to accomplish this goal. Participants included organic farmers and companies, lenders, and representatives of the certification industry. The Summit resulted in creation of the Organic Agriculture Task Force to study the issues and develop a set of recommendations for fostering growth in the organic agriculture sector. 

The Task Force met four times in 2004, resulting in a report to the governor on February 25, 2005.

Task Force Report

The report laid out a roadmap to leadership in organic production and processing.  Priorities identified by the Task Force included creation of an educational and promotional program for Wisconsin organic products; establishment of programs that facilitate networking among organic farmers; development of coursework, degree programs and research on organic agriculture at the University of Wisconsin and the state Technical College System; and providing support and technical assistance for enhancing processing capacity within the state.

The report laid out actions to facilitate progress toward these tasks including establishment of a private sector Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council and an Inter-Agency Implementation Team to lead the effort, and the creation of an organic specialist position at DATCP and at the University of Wisconsin.  

Today
All four of the Task Force’s action items have been accomplished.

• In April 2006, DATCP hired Laura Paine for the position of organic agriculture specialist. 
• In August 2006, Dr. Erin Silva was hired to coordinate organic agriculture research and education at the University of Wisconsin CALS. 
• The Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council was appointed in winter 2006.
• The Interagency Team was appointed in winter 2006 and the two groups met for the first time on February 6, 2007. 

Contact information:

Laura Paine
Grazing and Organic Agriculture Specialist
Division of Agricultural Development
DATCP
2811 Agriculture Drive
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI   53708
608-224-5120
Laura.paine@wi.gov

Dr. Erin Silva
Organic Agriculture Specialist
UW Agronomy Department 
1575 Linden Drive
Madison, WI   53706
608-262-0902
emsilva@wisc.edu

Secretary Nilsestuen announces Wisconsin Organic Agriculture Advisory Council

A Survey of Organic Farmers in Wisconsin

For information about DATCP's Organic Agriculture Program:

Laura Paine
Grazing & Organic Agriculture Specialist
WI Dept. Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection
PO Box 8911
Madison, WI  53708
608-224-5120
Fax: 224-5110
Laura.paine@wi.gov

Other Resources
Here are some links to resources on organic agricultural production.

USDA National Organic Program
Develops and implements national standards that govern the marketing and trade of organically produced products and ensures that such products meet consistent standards.

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
ATTRA - Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas is a USDA sponsored educational site providing resources and articles on organic and sustainable farming practices.

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services
MOSES-Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Services provides educational programming for organic farmers, those seeking to transition to organic and others. MOSES sponsors the Upper Midwest Organic Farming Conference and other workshops and learning opportunities throughout the year.

SavorWisconsin.com
SavorWisconsin.com is an online directory and resource for consumers across the world to find food and agricultural products and services from the state of Wisconsin.

Organic Valley Family of Farms
The largest organic farmer-owned cooperative in North America.  Their website has a large amount of educational information for farmers and consumers.

Organic Trade Association
A membership based association representing the organic industry in North America, working to promote organic products in the marketplace and to protect the integrity of organic standards.

Wisconsin Local Food Marketing Guide: A producer's guide to marketing locally grown food

More information about organic agriculture is available by calling 608-224-5120.