USDA will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses for producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.
A total of $20 million will be allocated through the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program, which was part of USDA’s COVID-19 Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.
“The economic challenges that arose due to the pandemic made obtaining and renewing organic certification financially challenging for many operations,” said USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack.
Eligible operations may apply for funds for expenses paid during the 2020-22 fiscal years.
The funding covers 25 percent of a certified operation’s eligible certification expenses, up to $250 per certification category (crops, livestock, wild crops, handling and State Organic Program fees).
Crop and livestock operations transitioning to organic may be eligible for 75 percent coverage of eligible expenses, up to $750.
The program will also cover 75 percent of registration fees, up to $200, for educational events. For more details, visit www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance/otecp.
