transition

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the details of a $300 million investment to support organic and transitioning farmers, and to address targeted organic market challenges. The Organic Transition Initiative is consistent with many recommendations made to USDA by the National Organic Coalition (NOC) to increase support for organic agriculture to help build a more ecologically sound, resilient, and climate-friendly food and farm system.

Both bills sponsored by CCOF were passed out of the California Assembly Agriculture Committee at the hearing on April 27th. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the application deadline for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) to February 4, 2022. OTECP offers certification cost share, support for transitional producers, and reimbursement for educational expenses and soil testing expenses. Apply soon, because if funds run low, payment levels may be reduced.

OTECP is funded through USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers Program; $20 million has been authorized for the program. 

You still have one week to apply for a $5,000 boost for your organic transition! It can be challenging to transition to certified organic, and we don’t expect farmers to do it alone. That’s why we’ve partnered with Anheuser-Busch and their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Contract for Change program to provide financial support to growers during the critical phase of becoming organic. 

Want to take your farm forward and transition to organic? Maybe you’re already practicing organic methods and need that final incentive to get certified. Now is your chance to lessen the financial challenge of transition by applying for a $5,000 grant to help you make the transition to organic. 

It’s not always easy to transition to certified organic, and we don’t expect farmers to do it alone. That’s why we’ve partnered with Anheuser Busch and their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Contract for Change program to provide financial support during the critical phase of becoming organic. The CCOF Foundation also offers a wealth of educational opportunities through our Organic Training Institute.