The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the National Organic Certification Program, which reimburses organic farmers and handlers for a portion of the cost of obtaining organic certification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Applications were previously limited to one award per company during the four-year grant period that began in 2004.

However, grant funds are still available and applications for additional certification costs that have been incurred during the grant period are now being accepted.

Companies that previously received grants are welcome to apply for an additional grant.

During the four-year funding period, $40,000 was made available through a cooperative agreement between the state and federal departments of agriculture for cost-share assistance of up to 75 percent of the annual certification costs for eligible organic farmers and handlers.

Of that amount, the state DOA has reimbursed about $29,600 to 93 organic companies.

The grant period ends on Sept. 30. Cost-share assistance is limited to the amount of the grant and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis determined by postmarked date or date received, whichever is earlier.

Application forms may be downloaded from the state DOA Web site at: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/add/add_md/OrganicProducers or by contacting the Market Development Branch at 973-9595 or e-mail: hdoa.md@hawaii.gov.