USDA is offering assistance for the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification for organic producers and handlers. The Organic Certification Cost Share Program is open now for applications and closes Nov. 1.
Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020, and Sept. 20, 2021, including application fees, inspection costs, travel expenses for inspectors and others.
For 2021, the program will reimburse 50 percent of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to $500 each for the following categories: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.
An additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative will also be offered in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index.
