Ag department offering assistance to help organic dairy producers

The Maine Farm Service Agency’s office is accepting applications for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program. Eligible producers include certified organic dairy operations that produce milk from cows, goats and sheep.

“Maine organic dairy producers have faced significant and unique increases in their marketing costs, compounded by increases in feed and transportation costs and the limited availability of organic grain and forage commodities,” said Sherry Hamel, state executive director, according to a news release from the Bangor-based Farm Service Agency. “Without assistance, many organic dairies, particularly small organic dairies, will cease production, which not only impacts the domestic supply and consumption of organic milk but also the well-being of many rural communities across the country. This program will keep Maine small organic dairies in operation as they continue to weather a combination of challenges outside of their control.”

FSA is providing financial assistance for a producer’s projected marketing costs in 2023 based on their 2022 costs. The program provides a one-time cost-share payment based on marketing costs on pounds of organic milk marketed in the 2022 calendar year.

The program provides financial assistance that will immediately support certified organic dairy operations during 2023 keeping organic dairy operations sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions.

Maine FSA offices are accepting applications through Wednesday, July 26. To apply, producers should contact FSA at their local U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center. To complete the program application, producers must certify to pounds of 2022 milk production, how documentation of their organic certification, and submit a completed application form.

Organic dairy operations are required to provide their USDA certification of organic status confirming operation as an organic dairy in 2023 and 2022 along with the certification of 2022 milk production in hundredweight.

ODMAP complements other assistance available to dairy producers, including Dairy Margin Coverage and Supplemental DMC, with more than $300 million in benefits paid for the 2023 program year to date.  Learn more on the FSA Dairy Programs webpage at fsa.usda.gov.