Browse Ambrook’s collection of funding programs by North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA)

1. Farmer must be working with an accredited certifying agency prior to applying.
2. Must have had one on farm inspection from the certifier prior to applying.
3. Fill out the form here.
4. Mail all appropriate documentation to the NDDA.

The North Dakota organic education and transition cost share program is designed to help farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to an organic production system.


**If you are already a USDA certified organic producer, you do not qualify for this program. The USDA Organic Cost Share Program helps farmers and ranchers who are&#x2004;already certified organic. For information on that program visit the [Organic Certification Cost Share Program page](https://www.ndda.nd.gov/divisions/business-marketing-information/organics/organic-certification-cost-share-program).**


The Program reimburses crop and livestock farmers for 75 percent, up to $750, of certain costs associated with transitioning to USDA certified organic production. Also farmers are eligible for up to $250 of reimbursement for approved educational expenses. With a maximum annual reimbursement of $1,000 for up to three years. Applicants must live and farm in North Dakota and may not own or operate any already-certified organic land.



The North Dakota organic education and transition cost share program is designed to help farmers and ranchers who are transitioning to an organic production system.

If you are already a USDA certified organic producer, you do not qualify for this program. The USDA Organic Cost Share Program helps farmers and ranchers who are already certified organic. For information on that program visit the Organic Certification Cost Share Program page.

The Program reimburses crop and livestock farmers for 75 percent, up to $750, of certain costs associated with transitioning to USDA certified organic production. Also farmers are eligible for up to $250 of reimbursement for approved educational expenses. With a maximum annual reimbursement of $1,000 for up to three years. Applicants must live and farm in North Dakota and may not own or operate any already-certified organic land.

Applicants must live and farm in North Dakota and may not own or operate any already-certified organic land.

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

Cost Share

A lump sum of money for a specific purpose that does not need to be paid back.

Grant

Succession

Local Food

Certified Organic

Stewardship

Farmers Market

Legal & Finance

Certification

Marketing

Conservation

Research

Compliance

The Program reimburses crop and livestock farmers for 75 percent, up to $750, of certain costs associated with transitioning to USDA certified organic production. Also farmers are eligible for up to $250 of reimbursement for approved educational expenses. With a maximum annual reimbursement of $1,000 for up to three years.

Completed application must include:
- A signed IRS W-9 form
- Third party verification of water loss form completed by bank, county extension agent, or veterinarian 
- All receipts must be included
- Producer must agree to terms on the application form  

Submit your complete application online at this link.

ND Emergency Water Supply Program

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) Emergency Water Supply Program will reimburse livestock owners with verifiable water losses from the drought for 50% of eligible costs for temporary water supply, equipment and hauling, up to $4,500 per individual.



Who is eligible for this program?
- Livestock owners who have verifiable water losses from drought and must purchase water and/or transport water to livestock
    - Water losses verifiable through the following
        - Photos
        - Written descriptions
- Must own breeding livestock
    - For the purposes of this program, breeding livestock is defined as; beef and dairy cows, bison, sheep, and goats
- Must have a minimum of 25 animal unit equivalents. The Animal Unit Equivalents Guide is adopted from the NRCS National Rangeland and Pasture Handbook
- The following will be considered “water”
    - Purchased from rural water system or municipality
    - Water from personal wells or on farm rural water is only eligible for transportation assistance.
- The following will be considered equipment for rental assistance
    - Storage tanks, transportation tanks, and other material to assist in transportation of water.
 
What is eligible for assistance?
- Transportation costs for water incurred between July 1, 2021 and October 31, 2021.
    - Water must be used for the purposes of your own livestock operation
- Eligibility details
    - Eligible for reimbursement of a portion of expenses based on loaded mile of purchased water delivered. Eligible mileage expenses include the following:
        - Personal mileage – rate will be set at $2.00 per mile
        - Commercial mileage – rate will be based on total amount charged
            - Expense must be per mile basis for transportation
            - Reimbursement will be percentage based
    - Receipts received for pick-up and trailer transportation will be prorated accordingly
    - Receipts for rental of equipment will be prorated based on averages of program.
    - Receipts for water purchase will be prorated based on averages of program.
        - If water receipt not available, please document where water was purchased and number of gallons.
    - Commercial rates higher than program average will be reduced to average or rejected
    - Receipts received at other than per mile will be based on program average or rejected.
- Must have receipts for purchased water and/or have transportation costs associated due to the loss of water supply


Livestock

Cattle

Pigs

Poultry

Sheep

Specialty Livestock

Beef Cattle

Dairy Cattle

Feeder Cattle

Slaughter Cattle

Calves

Heifers

Steers

Bulls

Barrows

Boars

Feeder Pigs

Hogs

Sows

Chickens

Cornish Hens

Ducks

Geese

Turkey

Ewes

Lambs

Rams

Alpacas

Beefalo

Bison

Buffalo

Caribou

Deer

Emus

Goats

Guinea Pigs

Llamas

Mink

Mohair

Ostrich

Pheasants

Quail

Rabbits

Reindeer

Water Buffalo

Beef Bottom Round

Beef Brisket

Beef Chuck Roast

Beef Eye Round

Beef Flank Steak

Beef Flat Iron Steak

Beef Heart

Beef Liver

Beef London Broil

Beef NY Strip Steak

Beef Oxtail

Beef Rib Steak

Beef Rump Roast

Beef Short Ribs

Beef Sirloin

Beef Sirloin Tip Roast

Beef Skirt Steak

Beef Soup Bones

Beef Stew Meat

Beef Tongue

Beef Top Round

Beef Whole Filet

Ground Beef

Broilers

Chicks

Fryers

Layers

Pullets

Roasters

Ducklings

Goslings

Poults

Toms

Ground Lamb

Lamb Chops

Lamb Heart

Lamb Leg

Lamb Liver

Lamb Shank

Lamb Shoulder

Lamb Stew Meat

Bison Calf

Bison Meat

Bucks

Nannies

Slaughter Goats

- EWSP flyer
- Regional Water System Map
- Rural Water System Map
- State Water Council Memorandum
- Third Party Verification of Water Losses
- Water Sources July 2021 - Livestock Assistance West & Central


Irrigation

Water Quality

Waterway Protection

Wetland Conservation

Water Management

Deanna Gierszewski

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture administers the USDA Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program. Organic producers (crops, wild crops, and/or livestock) and/or handlers are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of initial or renewal organic certification costs with a maximum of $750.00 per certification scope. Costs paid&#x2004;within the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 are eligible.

NDDA has entered into an agreement with International Certification Services (ICS) and OCIA Chapter 1 to accept applications for reimbursement. Organic operations who are currently working through these two agencies should contact their agency directly. All other producers should contact Deanna Gierszewski at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-328-2191 or [degierszewski@nd.gov](mailto:mailto:degierszewski@nd.gov?subject=Organic%20Certification%20Cost%20Share%20Program). All funds are reimbursed on a first-come first-serve basis until funds are depleted. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 30, 2023.



The North Dakota Department of Agriculture administers the USDA Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program. Organic producers (crops, wild crops, and/or livestock) and/or handlers are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of initial or renewal organic certification costs with a maximum of $750.00 per certification scope. Costs paid within the period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 are eligible.
NDDA has entered into an agreement with International Certification Services (ICS) and OCIA Chapter 1 to accept applications for reimbursement. Organic operations who are currently working through these two agencies should contact their agency directly. All other producers should contact Deanna Gierszewski at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture at 701-328-2191 or degierszewski@nd.gov. All funds are reimbursed on a first-come first-serve basis until funds are depleted. Applications must be postmarked no later than Oct. 30, 2023.

Organic producers (crops, wild crops, and/or livestock) and/or handlers are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of initial or renewal organic certification costs with a maximum of $750.00 per certification scope.

- Fact Sheet
- North Dakota Application
- Organic Certification Cost Share Program 2023
- Organic Certification Cost Share Program Terms and Conditions

1. Evidence that the operation holds a valid organic certification to the USDA Organic Regulations issued by a USDA-accredited certifying agent (letter from the agency or certificate)
2. An itemized receipt that identifies allowable costs PAID within the qualification period.

To apply, first gather the required documentation. You will need to scan and upload each of the below during the application: 
- Form W-9: Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (You may also register as a Vendor for expedited processing)
- Seed receipts and soil test results.

Then, apply online from this link to the NDDA's application portal.

Jason Wirtz

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture's Soil Health Cover Crop Grant Program provides grantees with a direct payment per acre of cover crop planted. As a conservation program, the program’s primary goal is to protect and enhance soil health statewide. In particular, the program is targeting cropland areas impacted with alkaline soils. NDDA provides cost share to producers on a first-come-first-serve basis. Successful applicants may receive a $25/acre. There will be a 160 acre cap per producer.



Program Participation Requirements
1. Conduct field soil test prior to planting cover crop (results must be submitted with application).
2. Select cover crop to be grown.
3. Plant cover crop (prior to September 15th deadline).
4. Apply online at NDDA’s Soil Health Cover Crop Grant Program webpage (December 1 deadline).
    - Complete application
    - Copy of soil test
    - Copy of seed bill/receipt
1. Applications will be selected by lottery; successful applicants will be notified via email.
2. Successful applicants must register as a vendor with the state of North Dakota and notify program contact by email when completed.
3. Once all previous steps completed, payment for cost share will be processed after the application deadline each year. Payments may take up to 60 days for processing.

Eligible Cover Crop/Planting/Mixes
- Soil Conservation/NRCS county specific suggested plantings are eligible for this program
- Other eligible cover crop plantings include:
    - Turnips
    - Radishes
    - Cow peas
    - Field peas
    - Dry peas
    - Hairy vetch
    - Sunflowers
    - Millet
    - Sorghum
    - Grazing corn
    - Red clover
- If cover crop will be planted before May 20, eligible grasses include:
    - Barley
    - Oats
    - Rye
    - Triticale
- Perennial Grasses and Legumes to address saline areas
    - Alfalfa
    - Western Wheatgrass
    - Intermediate Wheatgrass
    - AC Saltlander

- Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crop Selection Tool
- NDSU - Incorporating Cover Crops
- NDSU Cover Crops Information
- NDSU Cover Crops Overview

Reduced Tillage

Air Quality

High Tunnel

Landscape

Soil Health

Wildlife & Pollinator Habitat

Certified Grassfed

Cover Crops

Regenerative

Carbon Capture

Guidelines
- Application for the program does not guarantee cost share reimbursement.
- Cost share payment of $25 an acre.
- 160-acre cap per applicant per year.
- Applicants should use Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crops Decision Tool to assist in the determination of their cover crop.
- Applicants in need of further technical assistance for cover crop planting or planning should consult with NRCS, their county Soil Conservation District or the Watershed Program Coordinator in their county.

Minimum Qualifications
- Cover crop must be planted by August 31.
- Complete online application by October 1.
- Minimum seeding rates must be followed (please see eligible seed mixes in guidelines and minimum seeding rates in the Midwest Cover Crops Council Cover Crops Decision Tool). Soil Conservation/NRCS county specific suggested plantings are also eligible for this program.
- No fall tillage allowed if planting is done after harvest of cash crop.
- Grazing and haying is allowed on cover crops after July 5th.
- Must register as a vendor with the state of North Dakota to receive payment.
- Must test soil before crop is planted.
- Must provide previous crop planted/cropping rotation before cover crop.
- Must identify cover crop/mix planted.
- Must provide copy of seed bill in application.

List of North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) Funding Opportunities