WASHINGTON – Organic producers and handlers can now apply for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021.
“USDA is here to help all producers, including those who grow our nation’s organic food and fiber. Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.”
OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”):
- crops
- wild crops
- livestock
- processing/handling
- State organic program fees
Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office or a participating state agency. This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
The USDA Service center for Essex County FSA is located at 319 Littleton Road #205 Westford, MA 01886. (Phone) 978 303 8286, (Fax) 855 596 7670.
Massachusetts FSA serves Massachusetts farmers and producers. The staff works with farmers to secure the highest possible financial assistance from USDA programs.
