OPPORTUNITY:
Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category. FSA is now accepting applications. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved.
DESCRIPTION:
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of organic agricultural commodities for expenses incurred obtaining or maintaining organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program.
Cost share assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments, and postage. OCCSP pays a maximum of $750 per certification category for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees (California only).
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
Eligible OCCSP applicants include any certified organic producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
MATCHING FUNDS:
None.
FUNDING AVAILABLE AND APPLICATION WINDOW:
- FUNDING AVAILABILITY: $5.7 million
- MAXIMUM CEILING AWARD AMOUNT: $2,030,000
- MINIMUM FLOOR AWARD AMOUNT: $3,000
- APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 12, 2024
