Organic farmers and handlers can apply for federal funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP).
Applications for fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31.
“Producers can visit their local FSA county offices to apply for up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “This also gives organic producers an opportunity to learn about other valuable USDA resources, like farm loans and conservation assistance, that can help them succeed. Organic producers can take advantage of a variety of USDA programs from help with field buffers to routine operating expenses to storage and handling equipment.”
OCCSP received continued support through the 2018 Farm Bill. It provides cost-share assistance to farmers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program.
Eligible farmers include any certified farmers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Eligible expenses for cost-share reimbursement include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
Certified farmers and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope, including crops, livestock, wild crops, handling and state organic program fees.
To learn more about organic certification cost share, visit the OCCSP webpage, view the notice of funds availability on the Federal Register or contact your FSA county office.
For more information about USDA support for organic agriculture, visit usda.gov/organic.