Fruit and Vegetable Farmers Offered Reimbursement

Friday, March 27, 2015 | 07:17am

NASHVILLE—Tennessee farmers who grow fruits or vegetables and have received Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) certification are eligible to receive reimbursement for costs related to certification for field or packing house audits.  The reimbursement program will be administered through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.

“The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Market Development Division understands the increasing demands placed on fruit and vegetable growers,” TDA marketing specialist Tammy Algood said. “The department has partnered with the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant program to develop a GAPs cost share program for Tennessee producers who successfully pass a GAP audit.”

Qualifying costs related to GAPs certification include application fees, inspection costs and inspector travel. Late fees, materials and supplies, and equipment costs are not eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursements are limited to 50 percent of an individual’s certification costs up to a maximum of $1,500. Expenses related to the certification must be incurred between January 1, 2015 and September 30, 2015. Applications are approved on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted.

For more information about GAPs certification or to apply for cost share reimbursement, visit http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/marketing/fruitsvegetables.shtml. Under Program Resources, click on “Good Agriculture Practices (GAPs) Cost Share Application.”

You can also contact Tammy Algood at 615-837-5347 or email Tammy.Algood@tn.gov.

 

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