Organic Certification Cost Share Information and Resources

Leer información en español sobre el Programa para Reembolsar los Costos de Certificación Orgánica.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) has provided funds for certified organic operations to assist with the costs of organic certification.

New this year! Organic operations may receive one reimbursement per certificate or scope of certification per year. The NOP currently recognizes four scopes of certification: crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling. This means that clients with more than one certification scope may be eligible for more than one reimbursement.

Eligible operations will be reimbursed up to 75% of their organic certification costs, not to exceed $750, for each NOP scope of organic certification. Any operation that is located within the United States and received organic certification on or between October 1, 2011 and September 30, 2012 may apply for reimbursement.

To ensure that your application is considered, and to improve your chance of receiving funds, it is important to submit complete and correct information and documentation. As a member service, CCOF is providing all the forms you need to complete. Please follow the steps below carefully.

How to get organic certification cost share funds in California:

(For other states see below.)

Read the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Organic Program (SOP) letter about Certification Cost Share for 2012.
Complete and sign a CDFA Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application for certification year October 1, 2011 - September 30, 2012. Note: The CDFA must receive an original signed application - do not photocopy or fax.
Collect the following documentation: a copy of your organic certificate AND copies of all associated organic certification and inspection expense receipts. If you do not have copies of this documentation, CCOF can assist you – read the tip below about 2012 Requests for Verification of CCOF Certification Costs.
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.
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 2012 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 before applying. Always keep in mind the application postmark deadline of November 30, 2012.
Send your completed, signed application to CDFA with all supporting documentation: your organic certificate, proof of fees paid for organic certification and inspection, and your Payee Data Record (STD. 204). Mail to: 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.

Tips To Securing Reimbursement:

If you need CCOF to provide verification of your fees and/or certification status, please complete the 2012 Request for Verification of CCOF Certification Costs form (download form in PDF format or Microsoft Word e-form version) 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.
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.
Use the bullets below as a checklist to avoid common mistakes that may cause your application to be returned and you to lose your place in line. Ensure that:
- You fully complete and sign an original application form - not a photocopy or fax.
- You include ALL necessary paperwork: i) your completed and signed application; ii) copy of your organic certificate; iii) copies of expense receipts for all certification and inspection fee; iv) a Payee Date Record (STD.204) form.
- You send all the above to CDFA, marked for the attention of Sharon Parsons, at the address above.
- Postmark deadline for receipt of applications is November 30, 2011.

How to Get Organic Certification Cost Share Funds in Other States:
For information on how to apply for Certification Cost Share funds in other states, please view the contact list of National Organic Program (NOP) Certification Cost Share Program Participants and ask your state's contact about application procedures and deadline.