The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (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.
2024 Information coming soon!
Guidelines and Uses
Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during any subsequent program year.
Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made, including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage.
Funding
This year the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount, which helps organic producers cover organic certification costs, to the maximum amount allowed by statute.
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) as part of USDA's broader effort to support organic producers and in response USDA/FSA will cover up to 75% of costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 maximum for each of the following categories (or "scopes"): crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling.
How to Apply
Utilize the letter and application templates and submit via email.
- Organic Cost Share Letter (PDF)
- Organic Cost Share Application (PDF)
- Organic Cost Share Application (Fillable PDF)