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Receive a Refund for your Organic Certification Fees

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program will refund up to 75% of your certification costs per scope of organic certification for the 2025 and 2026 program years, with a maximum of $750 per scope. The eligible scopes are crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling. Producers and handlers must apply by December 31, 2026. Funds are available on a first-come, first-paid basis, so get your application in as soon as you have paid your inspection and certification fees for the year. Contact costshare@ccof.org for support.

To be eligible, a producer or handler must hold USDA organic certification for the applicable program year at the time of application and must have paid eligible certification fees or expenses related to obtaining or renewing certification during that program year. For Program Year 2025, operations must have held USDA organic certification at any time during the program year. 

Eligible expenses may include: 

  • Certification application and administrative fees 
  • Inspection fees, including inspector travel and per diem 
  • Certification fees 
  • State organic program fees 
  • User and sales assessment fees 
  • Postage related to obtaining or renewing organic certification 

For complete program information, including eligibility requirements and application details, see the USDA announcement. 

Please stay tuned for updates or reach out to costshare@ccof.org with any questions.  

Support for Transitional Operations
why organic

  • The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), which has traditionally administered Organic Certification Cost Share reimbursements for California operations, has indicated that it is still awaiting additional guidance from USDA. CCOF is working with CDFA and USDA to better understand how California operations should apply and will share additional information as soon as possible, including any paperwork and support CCOF will provide to members. 

    DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.

  • Organic operations can apply for Organic Certification Cost Share through their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) county office or, in participating states, through their state department of agriculture. See the USDA announcement for complete program information, including eligibility requirements and application details.

    DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), which has traditionally administered Organic Certification Cost Share reimbursements for California operations, has indicated that it is still awaiting additional guidance from USDA. CCOF is working with CDFA and USDA to better understand how California operations should apply and will share additional information as soon as possible, including any paperwork and support CCOF will provide to members. 

DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.