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2022 Organic Cost Share Update

As many of you know, MCS works with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) to administer the USDA organic cost share rebate for certified producers located in Maine. This long established relationship has been a benefit to producers because MCS provides your  Read More »

USDA Announces OTECP Program for 2022

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 16, 2022 that it will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and  Read More »

Avian Influenza Detected in Maine

Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in Knox County 02/22/2022 09:32 AM EST Read the USDA APHIS press release (Feb 20) regarding this incident. *H5N1 strain presents low risk to the public, bird owners urged to take steps to prevent disease* AUGUSTA, Maine –  Read More »

Deadline Extended to Apply for Pandemic Support for Certified Organic and Transitioning Operations

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021  Read More »

USDA Restores Organic Cost Share Through Pandemic Assistance

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on November 4, 2021 that it will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification  Read More »

Organic Advocates Appeal District Court Decision Authorizing Labeling of Soil-less Hydroponic Operations as Organic

May 19, 2021 SAN FRANCISCO—Yesterday, Center for Food Safety (CFS), along with a coalition of organic farms, certifier, and organic stakeholder groups, filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, appealing a district court’s ruling issued this March that authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue certifying soil-less hydroponic operations as organic under the Organic label. In the lower court  Read More »

Maine to Use Pandemic CARES Act Funding to Support Farmers, Agriculture Producers who Invested in E-commerce

AUGUSTA – Nov 17, 2020. The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) will use federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding to support farmers and agricultural producers impacted by COVID-19, DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal announced today. “Adapting and meeting the challenges  Read More »

Emergency Drought Assistance

Aroostook, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset, and Washington Counties are eligible for emergency drought assistance from the Farm Service Agency For drought assistance, start by contacting your local USDA Farm Service Center.  Farmers in Maine’s eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration,  Read More »