Alaska's Organic Farmers Push for In-state Organic Certification Program
Published: Thursday, May 29, 2003
The Juneau Empire reports that Alaska's organic farmers are pushing a bill, HB 226, which would create a state-certification program for organic produce, allowing Alaska's organic farmers to stay in business without obtaining more costly certification from the lower 48 states.
Prior to 2003, farmers could obtain organic certification from the Alaska Organic Association, which has provided inspection and certification since 1999. However, the nonprofit organic association can't afford the federal accreditation necessary under the National Organic Program (NOP) to continue certifying organic produce, according to its president, River Bean. According to the Empire, Alaska farmers who want to sell organic produce this year must apply for certification from Washington state, which is four times as expensive as the certification offered by Bean's group.
The Empire reports that Alaska's House Finance Committee on May 7 approved House Bill 226 with a provision that the program fund itself at least partially through certification fees. The program would cost about $37,000 per year, Barbara Bitney of Chugiak Republican Rep. Bill Stoltze's staff told the Empire.