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Submit the completed GAP Audit Reimbursement Cost Share Application with a state vendor registration number, answers to the questionnaire, and a copy of the paid receipt to SCDA Grants Administration, Attn: GAP Coordinator, 123 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172, or GAP@scda.sc.gov.

GAP Coordinator

Through funding&#x2004;from the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (#25SCBPSC1280), South Carolina growers can be reimbursed for 90% of the costs associated with a GAP audit completed while funds are available. To help growers receive reimbursements faster, they may choose to receive two separate payments: Part I (the SCDA portion of the audit) and Part II (the USDA portion), each reimbursed at 90%, or submit both parts together for one larger payment. Payment is issued 4–6 weeks following receipt of an accurately submitted application package.



Through funding from the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (#25SCBPSC1280), South Carolina growers can be reimbursed for 90% of the costs associated with a GAP audit completed while funds are available. To help growers receive reimbursements faster, they may choose to receive two separate payments: Part I (the SCDA portion of the audit) and Part II (the USDA portion), each reimbursed at 90%, or submit both parts together for one larger payment. Payment is issued 4–6 weeks following receipt of an accurately submitted application package.

South Carolina growers who have completed a GAP audit. Applicants must have a State of South Carolina vendor registration number and submit a complete application package including a copy of the paid receipt or other proof of payment for the reimbursement requested.

A payment that requires some percentage of matching contributions by the recipient.

Cost Share

Certified Organic

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

Reimbursement rate: 90% of your GAP audit costs. "Through funding from the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (#25SCBPSC1280), South Carolina growers can now get reimbursed for 90% of the costs associated with a GAP audit completed while funds are available." No dollar cap per grower is published — the reimbursement is a straight percentage of what you paid, available on a first-come basis while the grant funds last.

Two ways to be paid. A GAP audit generates two separate bills, and you may claim each as soon as you have paid it:
- Part I — the SCDA portion (SCDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Inspections). Amount paid to SCDA × 90%.
- Part II — the USDA portion (USDA AMS Specialty Crops Program). Amount paid to USDA × 90%.
- Or submit both parts together for one larger payment: (amount paid to SCDA + amount paid to USDA) × 90%.

Worked example from the application: "Smith Farm submits a paid receipt from SCDA Fruit & Vegetable Inspections for $575 with Part I of the application and receives a check for $517.50 approximately four weeks later. ($575 × 90%)"

Timing: "You can expect payment 4–6 weeks following the receipt of an accurately submitted application package."

What you must supply to get paid: a completed application, a State of South Carolina vendor registration number (free, via procurement.sc.gov), complete answers to the impact questionnaire, your agreement to provide follow-up information on the impact of GAP certification, and a copy of the paid receipt or other proof of payment — "[w]e will not send checks unless we have this."

Match: none beyond the 10% of audit cost you retain.

Submit a GAP-Audit Request (with a Substitute W-9) through the NCDA&CS Cooperative Grading Service. The audit is a fee-based service; this program provides financial support toward the cost of the third-party audit.

Brooke Stephenson

Agricultural Program Manager

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services developed&#x2004;the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification Assistance Program to help North Carolina growers with financial support in obtaining a third party audit to verify they are following effective food safety practices. The audit-based verification reviews participants' adherence to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP); growers/packers who participate and pass the audit receive certification that they meet GAP standards.



The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services developed the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Certification Assistance Program to help North Carolina growers with financial support in obtaining a third party audit to verify they are following effective food safety practices. The audit-based verification reviews participants' adherence to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Guide to Minimize Microbial Food Safety Hazards for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP); growers/packers who participate and pass the audit receive certification that they meet GAP standards.

North Carolina fruit and vegetable growers/packers seeking GAP certification.

Public Health

No current cost-share amount is published. NCDA&CS's live Grading Services page says only that the program "will help North Carolina growers with financial support in obtaining a third party audit to verify they are following effective food safety practices" — no dollar cap and no percentage. About the underlying audit it says: "The audit program is a fee-based service. Participants are charged a fee based on the time required to conduct the audit and travel expenses of the auditor." So the fee you owe depends on auditor hours and travel, and is not posted as a rate card.

The most recent published schedule is dated 2016 — treat these numbers as unconfirmed for the current year. From the program's own NCDA&CS application form: "The NCDA&CS will pay up to $900 of the cost of having a third party audit to verify a farm's food safety program for first time users; $300 for those who have previously participated in the program." "Funds will be paid to the auditor conducting the GAP/GHP audit to reduce the cost to the farmer by up to $900/$300. Participating farmers will be responsible for paying the auditor for any balance due above $900/$300. Funds are available on a first come first served basis until the funds are depleted." That form closes with "Payments are limited up to $900 per farm or company for audits conducted in 2016," which is why the figures cannot be presented as current.

Lifetime limit and sequencing (same 2016 form). "If you have received 3 or more GAP audits using this certification assistance program you are no longer eligible to receive assistance," and "Applications must be submitted for approval to participate in this program to the NCDA&CS prior to receiving the GAP/GHP audit" — apply before the audit, not after.

Call for current figures: NCDA&CS Cooperative Grading Service, P.O. Box 588, Williamston, NC 27892, (252) 792-1672; Brooke Stephenson, Agricultural Program Manager, Brooke.Stephenson@ncagr.gov.

A separate program on the same page, not this one: the Water Analysis Cost Share Program, under which "The NCDA&CS will reimburse growers up to $1,000.00 for laboratory analysis to determine the quantitative presence of generic E. coli bacteria in irrigation or wash water by a certified laboratory," first-come first-served, with 2026 invoices due June 1, 2026.

Verified 2026-09-04.

List each item purchased with the purchase price (a paid receipt is required for each item), complete the questionnaire, and submit the GAP On-Farm Improvement Reimbursement Cost Share Application to SCDA Grants Administration, Attn: GAP Coordinator, 123 Ballard Court, West Columbia, SC 29172, or GAP@scda.sc.gov.

Through funding from the USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (#25SCBPSC1280), South Carolina growers can be reimbursed for up to $500 in on-farm improvement costs related to obtaining GAP certification. This cost share reimbursement is separate from the GAP Audit Reimbursement Cost Share. Payment is issued 4–6 weeks following receipt of an accurately submitted application package.



South Carolina growers incurring on-farm improvement costs related to obtaining GAP certification. Applicants must have a State of South Carolina vendor registration number and submit a complete application package including paid receipt(s) or other proof of payment.

Award: reimbursement of up to $500 per grower. The SCDA application states that through USDA AMS Specialty Crop Block Grant #25SCBPSC1280, South Carolina growers "can now get reimbursed for up to $500 on-farm improvement costs related to obtaining GAP certification."

Cost share: no percentage applies — eligible purchases are reimbursed at full cost (including applicable tax) up to the $500 ceiling, and a paid receipt must be attached for every item listed. No match is required.

Stacking: this reimbursement "is not to be confused or combined with the GAP Audit Certification cost share." The application also asks whether you have used the GAP Audit Reimbursement Cost Share and the Water Quality Analysis Cost Share.

Payment timing: "You can expect payment 4–6 weeks following the receipt of an accurately submitted application package." A free South Carolina state vendor registration number (procurement.sc.gov) is required before a check can be issued.

No contract length, interest, or fees apply — this is a one-time reimbursement.

Applicants must complete the GAP/GHP Cost-Share Reimbursement Application and W9 form, and attach a copy of the audit bill, score sheet, and documentation of the payment made (in the form of a cancelled check). Completed forms are mailed to: Mississippi Department of Agriculture, Marketing - GAP/GHP, P.O. Box 1609, Jackson, MS 39215. Funds are awarded first-come, first-serve until depleted.

Peyton Pierce

Program Specialist

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) offers a cost-share program for Mississippi farmers to provide financial assistance to cover the cost of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) certification. Funds are provided through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The&#x2004;program reimburses farmers who have successfully passed a GAP/GHP certification for 75% of the cost up to a maximum of $750 per year; farmers may submit the combined amount of the actual audit and the USDA service charge. Reimbursement is for the initial audit only, and audits must be completed by an approved USDA certifier. GAP/GHP audits verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize microbial food safety hazards. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until depleted.



The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) offers a cost-share program for Mississippi farmers to provide financial assistance to cover the cost of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) certification. Funds are provided through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. The program reimburses farmers who have successfully passed a GAP/GHP certification for 75% of the cost up to a maximum of $750 per year; farmers may submit the combined amount of the actual audit and the USDA service charge. Reimbursement is for the initial audit only, and audits must be completed by an approved USDA certifier. GAP/GHP audits verify that fruits and vegetables are produced, packed, handled, and stored to minimize microbial food safety hazards. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until depleted.

Applicants must be a Mississippi producer and the farm must be located within the State of Mississippi. No wholesale distribution centers may apply. Only audits for specialty crops are eligible for reimbursement; specialty crops are defined as fruit, vegetable, tree nuts, and horticulture and floriculture items.

Reimbursement of certification costs already paid, not an upfront grant. MDAC states the program "will reimburse farmers that have successfully passed a GAP/GHP certification for 75% of the cost up to a maximum of $750 per year; farmers can submit the combined amount of the actual audit and the USDA service charge."

What that means in practice: the farmer pays for the audit first, then recovers 75 percent of it, capped at $750 in any one year. Both the audit fee and the USDA service charge can be counted toward the reimbursable total. "Reimbursement is for the initial audit only" — re-audits and renewals are not covered — and "audits must be completed by an approved USDA certifier."

Money is not guaranteed on eligibility alone: "Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds are depleted." Funding passes through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, so only specialty-crop audits qualify (fruit, vegetable, tree nuts, horticulture and floriculture items).

No match beyond the farmer's own 25 percent share, no application fee, and no contract term are published.

List of Agricultural Funding for GAP Certified Operations