Chief Patron: Hawkins
Co-Patron(s): Deeds
Organic Food Certification

Item 102 #1s

Language
Page 69, line 2, strike "$8,453,940" and insert "$8,548,940".

Explanation
(This amendment provides $95,000 for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create a 50-50 cost share program for organic certification, assisting the small and new-to-market organic producers to easily transition into the National Organic Program that goes into effect in October 2002. The Department will advise prospective producers on how to maintain and prepare their organic production records for certification and continue domestic and international marketing assistance, as recommended in House Document No. 12 (2002), "The Study of the Feasibility and Appropriateness of Becoming a Certifying Agent Under the Federal Organic Foods Production Act.")