GAP/GHP Certification Cost-Share Program

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.

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.