Rebates available for farmers obtaining organic certification

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) Commissioner Dave Frederickson has signed an agreement with USDA to offer an organic certification cost share program again in 2014.

In August, the MDA will begin accepting applications for this program, which refunds up to 75 percent of the certification costs organic farmers and handlers pay for certification.

“This program provides important regulatory cost relief for organic farmers and handlers who are required by law to hire an accredited certifying agency to verify they are complying with National Organic Standards,” said Frederickson.

MDA Organic Program Administrator Meg Moynihan said farmers in Minnesota pay between $360 and $6,000 for organic certification each year, depending on the size and type of operation and the certifying agency they choose. She said the median cost of certification for organic handlers, which includes food processors, feed mills, brokers, and other related enterprises, was about $2,300 in 2012.

Funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share program was included in the Farm Bill passed by Congress earlier this year. Minnesota’s allocation for 2014 is $541,500.

More information and application materials will be available when MDA opens the program in August. Information about organic practices, certification requirements, and other related topics is available right now at the MDA’s web site: www.mda.state.mn.us/organic.

Therapeutic Horsemanship Instructor Certification in Felton

North Dakota State University and the Riding on Angels' Wings (ROAW) therapeutic horseback riding program will co-host a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) registered instructor certification July 19-20.

This event is for anyone who has completed phase one of the PATH Intl. registered instructor certification process or is retesting for certification.

The certification will be held at ROAW near Felton, Minn. Certification will begin at 4 p.m. July 19 and 9 a.m. July 20.

PATH Intl. promotes excellence in the field of equine-assisted activities and therapies through instructor education, center accreditation, educational opportunities and advocacy work. NDSU partners with ROAW and PATH Intl. to offer minor and certificate programs in therapeutic horsemanship.

The registration deadline for the certification is June 12. The cost is $375. The fee includes lunch and snacks.

A downloadable registration form is available on the NDSU Equine Science Center website, http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/equinescience, under Upcoming Events.

For additional information, contact Erika Berg, assistant professor of equine studies at NDSU, at erika.berg@ndsu.edu or (701) 231-9611.
---------
(credit: NDSU Agriculture Communication)

15 Percent of Commercial Drivers Have Yet to Comply with State, Federal Law

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Of Minnesota’s approximately 250,000 Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders in Minnesota, more than 38,000 still have not yet provided self-certification of their commercial driving status and, in some cases, proper medical documentation. 

Every Minnesota commercial driver license (CDL) holder is required by federal law to self-certify to the type of driving in which they engage and, if applicable, submit a copy of their Medical Examiner’s Certificate to the Department of Public Safety’s Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division.

The federal rule requires all CDL holders to be self- certified by Jan. 30, 2014, regardless of CDL expiration date. If the requirement is not met, DVS must mark the driver record as not medically certified and initiate a downgrade of the CDL to a noncommercial status.

CDL holders include school bus, semi-tractor trailer and garbage truck drivers. DVS sent letters to all CDL holders in Minnesota reminding them to complete their self-certification.

Requirements
Non-exempt interstate and intrastate drivers must provide a current medical examiner’s certification along with any waivers required to maintain commercial driver status.

Exempt interstate and intrastate drivers do not need to provide a medical examiner’s certificate but do need to complete a self-certification form.

How to Self-Certify

CDL holders need to:

• Check the status of the driver’s license online at http://bit.ly/d3r8zL. If “Self-certification” is not listed, then a Self-Certification form must be submitted.
• Complete the Commercial Driver License Medical Self-Certification Form (PS33203)
• If a CDL driver certifies that they are subject to medical examination requirements, they must provide a copy of their Medical Examination Report (PS30158) and any required waiver (Insulin-treated diabetes, vision, seizure/loss of consciousness, limb impairment).
• Submit a completed self-certification form and, if applicable, a current medical examiner’s certificate, to DVS via mail, fax or in person to any driver exam station or driver license office.

These forms can be found on the DVS Website at dvs.dps.mn.gov.

Visit the DVS Website at dvs.dps.mn.gov for more information on how to self-certify, for definitions of interstate and intrastate commerce, along with information about medical certification requirements. CDL drivers can also call 651-205-4908.

Categories and medical examiner’s certificate requirements are determined by the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) and state statute.

Until the federal program is fully implemented on Jan. 30, 2015, a driver must still carry an original or copy of his or her Medical Examiner’s Certificate, and provide a copy to his or her employer for the individual’s driver qualification file.