Agricultural producers and handlers who are certified organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). The programs which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses.
Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due Oct. 31, 2022.
Cost share for 2022
OTECP covers:
- Certification costs for organic producers and handlers (25% up to $250 per category).
- Eligible expenses for transitional producers, including fees for pre-certification inspections and development of an organic system plan (75% up to $750).
- Registration fees for educational events (75% up to $200).
- Soil testing (75% up to $100).
OCCSP covers 50% or up to $500 per category of certification costs in 2022.
This cost share for certification is available for each of these categories: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.
Producers can receive cost share through both OTECP and OCCSP.
Both OTECP and OCCSP cover costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022.
Producers have until Oct. 31, 2022 to file applications, and FSA will make payments as applications are received.
How to apply
To apply, producers and handlers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center. As part of completing the OCCSP applications, producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses. Organic producers and handlers may also apply for OCCSP through participating state agencies.
Additional details can be found on the OTECP and OCCSP webpages.