Financial Assistance

Organic farming and processing is rich and rewarding work; however, natural disasters, market prices, and consumer trends make food production a volatile industry. CCOF can link you to funding opportunities that can help you weather the storm, including the Organic Certification Cost Share program, grant opportunities, and hardship/disaster relief.

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) provides funds to assist with the costs of organic certification. These funds are available through the 2008 Farm Bill National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP).

The 2012 deadline to apply for Cost Share is November 30, 2012. If you are organically certified between October 1, 2011, and September 30, 2012, you may be eligible! Applications must be postmarked by November 30, 2012.

Eligible operations are reimbursed up to 75% of their organic certification costs, not to exceed $750, for each NOP scope of organic certification. This means that clients who grow a crop and process it, or who raise livestock and have a farm, may be eligible for more than one reimbursement. Any operation that is located within the United States and receives organic certification during the reimbursement period may apply for reimbursement. Each state administers the cost share program on behalf of the USDA National Organic Program. To find your state’s contact information and application form for the Cost Share program, see the list of state contact information on the NOP website.

CCOF can help you verify your certification status and costs. Please complete CCOF’s Request for Verification of CCOF Certification Costs form and submit by email, fax, or mail. CCOF will complete this for you for free and return it to you for inclusion with your CDFA application within 14 days.

CCOF has all the forms you need to apply for certification cost share funds in California, though the CDFA actually administers the cost share program.

Tips for securing reimbursement:

• Cost share applications are approved on a "first received and complete, first to get approved" basis, so we recommend applying as soon as you have the necessary information. Think about when will be the best time for you to submit your application to maximize the amount of money you can receive. The maximum reimbursement is $750 (or up to 75%) of certification costs per certification scope, including application fees, certification fees, AND inspection costs. Only one application for cost share per year will be accepted per operation. Operations with certification costs at or above $1,000 should apply immediately. Operations with costs below $1,000 should consider whether to apply immediately or wait until they have received their inspection bill. Always keep in mind the application postmark deadline.
• Use the checklist below to avoid common mistakes that may cause your application to be returned, and you to lose your place in line.
  • Complete and sign an original Cost Share Application form for your applicable state, not a photocopy or fax.
  • Include ALL necessary paperwork. Depending on the state, this may include:
    • Your completed and signed application
    • Copy of your organic certificate
    • Copies of expense receipts for all certification and inspection fees
    • A Payee Date Record (STD.204) form
  • Send all the above to the contact information for your state. Postmark your submission by the deadline.
     

To keep these funds available, contact your elected representatives and ask them to support continued funding for organic certification cost share and other programs that promote organic production in the farm bill!

For clients in California: CCOF has all the forms you need to apply for certification cost share funds in California. In California, the CDFA administers the cost share program.

Follow these simple steps:

• Read the CDFA State Organic Program (SOP) letter about organic certification cost share for 2012.
• Complete and sign a CDFA Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application. The CDFA must receive an original signed application; do not copy or fax.
• Collect the following documentation:
  • A copy of your most current organic certificate. You can access your certificate through MyCCOF.
  • Copies of all associated organic certification and inspection expense receipts. If you do not have copies of this documentation, we can assist you.
• Complete the Payee Data Record (STD. 204) form. Ensure that the name on this form matches the name on the application in step 2 above.
   

Send all the above to CDFA, marked for the attention of Sharon Parsons, at the address below. Postmark your submission by the deadline.

California Department of Food and Agriculture Organic Program, Cost Share Reimbursement
Attn: Sharon Parsons
1220 N. Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Do not send applications to CCOF.

For assistance, contact Sharon Parsons at CDFA.

Grants

Each year there are many government, university, and private grants available to help cover the costs of organic certification, help you develop infrastructure, or apply advanced practices at your farm or facility. Find grant opportunities listed on our classifieds.

Hardship and Disaster Relief

Organic farming and processing is rewarding, but risky. From freeze to fire, some years are harder on the organic community than others. CCOF offers certified clients the opportunity to apply for disaster relief when funds are available.