Do you know about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program? Here are some facts from the USDA:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
National Organic Certification Cost Share Program
(NOCCSP), administered by the USDA Farm Service
Agency (FSA), provides organic producers and
handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost
of organic certification. The program reimburses
producers and handlers for a portion of their paid
certification costs. Once certified, organic producers
and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for
up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to
a maximum of $750 per certification scope—crops,
livestock, wild crops and handling. Additional scopes
include transition certification and state program fees.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Certified organic producers and handlers who have
paid certification fees may apply for reimbursement
of the incurred costs.
IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO
PARTICIPATE?
Yes. Organic certification cost share funds are only
available to certified organic or certified transitional
producers and handlers. Certification must be
provided by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. If
your operation is not currently certified organic and
you would like to learn more about the certification
process, please visit www.fsa.usda.gov/organic.
WHAT COSTS ARE REIMBURSABLE?
Eligible costs include application fees, inspection
costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/
arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for
inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
WHAT COSTS ARE NOT REIMBURSABLE?
Ineligible costs include equipment, materials,
supplies, late fees, and inspections necessary to
address National Organic Program regulatory
violations.
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM REIMBURSEMENT
AMOUNT?
The maximum per certification scope (crops,
livestock, wild crops and handling) is $750.
Transition and state certification reimbursements
will be processed separately.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT?
You may apply to a participating state agency
according to their deadlines, or beginning March 20,
2017, you may apply directly to one of over 2,100
FSA offices. Applicants must typically submit a onepage
application form, W-9 tax form (to participating
state agencies), proof of certification and an itemized
invoice of certification expenses.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes
only; other eligible requirements may apply. For more
information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/organic contact
your local FSA county office. To find an office
nearest you, visit http://offices.usda.gov.
