Last Call for Certification Cost Share

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Written by Jane Sooby on Monday, October 24, 2022

Two organic cost-share programs are open for applications now through October 31. Certified organic operations may apply for and receive reimbursement from both programs. Transitional operations may apply for reimbursement of transition-related expenses.

“Original” cost share, the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, offers certified organic operations reimbursement of 50 percent of eligible organic certification–related expenses, including State Organic Program registration fees up to a maximum of $500 per scope. Find more information on the “original” cost share program on the Farm Service Agency website. Many state departments of agriculture are accepting applications for “original” cost share, and applications may also be submitted to offices of the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). See the program webpage for details.

FSA also offers reimbursement through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). OTECP is open to certified organic and transitional producers. It offers to pay 25 percent of eligible organic certification expenses up to a maximum of $250 per scope as well as 

  • 75 percent of eligible transitional expenses up to $750, 
  • 75 percent of registration fees for organic educational events up to $200, and
  • 75 percent of soil testing fees up to $100. 

Find more information on OTECP at Farmers.gov. Operations will apply for OTECP through FSA. We don’t expect OTECP funding to be available after this funding cycle. 

The deadline to apply for both programs is October 31, 2022. Certified organic producers and handlers may apply to both cost-share programs for reimbursement of eligible certification-related costs paid between October 1, 2021, and September 30, 2022. Transitional producers are only eligible to apply to OTECP.

CCOF will support members in applying for both cost-share programs by sending out cost-share summaries itemizing eligible certification-related expenses beginning in late June. 

For further information, contact CCOF’s Senior Outreach and Policy Specialist Jane Sooby at jsooby@ccof.org.