Two Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Available in 2022 - Receive a Refund for your Organic Certification Fees
This year, two cost-share programs offer refunds for your organic certification fees. Reimbursement is also offered for organic transition-related expenses, organic educational activities, and soil testing.
Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program will refund up to 50% of your certification costs per scope of organic certification, with a maximum of $500 per scope. The eligible scopes are crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling. Operations in California can also be reimbursed for 50% of their State Organic Program registration fees up to a maximum of $500.
Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program
A new cost-share program in 2022, the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP), also offers reimbursement to transitional producers in addition to the Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
OTECP will pay 25% of eligible organic certification expenses up to a maximum of $250 per scope as well as
- 75% of eligible transitional expenses up to a maximum of $750
- 75% of registration fees for organic educational events up to a maximum of $200
- 75% of soil testing fees up to a maximum of $100.
Eligibility
Certified organic producers and handlers located in the United States and its territories may apply for reimbursement.from both cost-share programs. Transitional operations can apply for reimbursement of transition-related costs from OTECP. Expenses paid between October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022, are eligible for reimbursement. Operations with more than one certification scope may be eligible for more than one refund.
Eligible costs for certified organic operations include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage.
Eligible costs for transitional operations include fees for pre-certification inspections and development of an organic system plan.
Apply for Cost-Share Funds in California:
Collect and complete the following documents (forms available for download here):
- Federal Organic Certification & State Registration Cost Share application (ORG-106)
- Payee Data Record Form (STD 204)
- Copy of your organic certificate
- Proof of payment: CCOF will support members in applying for both cost share programs by sending out a cost share summary itemizing eligible certification-related expenses beginning in late June.
The application deadline is October 31, 2022.
Submit applications by email or mail to:
- CDFA.ISD_Cost_Share_Program@cdfa.ca.gov
- California Department of Food and Agriculture
ATTN: Organic Program/Cost Share
1220 N Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
For assistance, email CDFA.ISD_Cost_Share_Program@cdfa.ca.gov or call (916) 900-5202. Additional information can be found at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/organicprogram/costshare.html
DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.
Apply for Cost-Share Funds in Other States
CCOF will post application information for other states when it becomes available. Deadlines may vary by state, so double check with your state agriculture department.
DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.
Apply for Organic Certification and Transitional Cost Share Funds
Funding for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification program (OTECP) is only available by applying to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). The application deadline is October 31, 2022.
The following forms are needed to apply for OTECP:
- FSA-883, Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) Application: This form includes a certification of the applicant’s status as a certified operation or transitional operation and their eligible expenses.
- AD-2047, Customer Data Worksheet: This form will be required if not already on file with FSA and documents personal information that positively identifies the customer. Existing customers can also use this form to update their customer profile.
- SF-3881, ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment Form: This form will be required if not already on file with FSA and will be used to collect your banking information to allow USDA to make payments to you via direct deposit.
You are encouraged to contact the FSA office at your local USDA Service Center with any questions about OTECP, program eligibility, or the application process. You may also call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to provide one-on-one assistance.
For additional information on OTECP, click here.