Fees & Cost Share

PCO Fees

PCO has four types of fees that you can expect annually.

This fee is due each year with your Organic System Plan or Annual Update. It covers your basic certification services for the upcoming certification season, including review of your certification documents for compliance with regulations and inspection expenses other than the inspector’s hourly fee. It entitles you to all membership benefits, including the PCO certification manual, materials lists and review services, record-keeping system, newsletter, and educational events & materials at no additional charge. You also have direct access to your certification specialist’s expertise via phone, mail or email.

The sales assessment fee is calculated on your annual gross organic sales for farming, handling and processing operations in the previous year. You will receive an invoice for these fees after we receive your application or annual update.

This fee covers the additional time and expertise required to certify operations that are more complicated than those with only crops or land.

The actual cost of your inspection is charged at an hourly rate. PCO works hard to coordinate inspections in geographic regions to minimize travel time.

For a complete list of the current year certification fees, download our fee schedule here

USDA National Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) has provided funds for certified organic operations to assist with the costs of organic certification. With the passage of the Farm Bill, the Cost Share program is now available in all 50 states!

Organic operators can be reimbursed on an annual basis as much as 75 percent of their certification costs from October 1, 2019 through September 30, 2020, up to a maximum of $750 per scope of certification.

To ensure that your application is considered, and to improve your chance of receiving funds, it is important to submit complete and correct information and documentation. As a member service, PCO is providing a link below to the PDA’s Cost Share Application. Please follow the steps below carefully.

To read the full Policies and Procedures of the National Organic Program (NOP) for cost share, click here.

How to get organic certification Cost Share funds in Pennsylvania:

(For other states see below)

Complete and sign a PDA Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application. Note: The PDA must receive an original signed application – do not photocopy or fax.
Collect the following documentation: copies of all associated organic certification and certification expense receipts. If you do not have copies of this documentation, PCO can assist you – read the tips below about requests for verification of PCO certification costs.
Think about when will be the best time for you to submit your application to maximize the amount of money you can receive. The maximum reimbursement is $750 (or up to 75%) of certification costs per certification scope, including application fees, certification fees, AND inspection costs. Only one application for Cost Share per year will be accepted per operation. Always keep in mind the application postmark deadline of October 31, 2020.
Send your completed, signed application to PDA (as a reminder, PCO will submit proof of fees paid for certification on behalf of all clients certified in Pennsylvania directly to the PDA for you). Mail to: PA Department of Agriculture, Attn: Michele Brookins, 2301 North Cameron Street Harrisburg, PA 17110. DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO PCO.

For assistance, contact Michele Brookins (Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture) 717-787-5319

Tips To Securing Reimbursement:

If you need PCO to provide verification of your fees and/or certification status, please contact the PCO office. Note: As a benefit to certified clients, PCO submits proof of payments for all certified clients in Pennsylvania directly to the PDA. However, you can request copies from PCO to include in your application if you like.

Cost Share applications are approved on a “first received and complete, first to get approved” basis, so we recommend applying as soon as you have the necessary information.
Use the bullets below as a checklist to avoid common mistakes that may cause your application to be returned and you to lose your place in line. Ensure that:
- You fully complete and sign an original application form – not a photocopy or fax.
- You include ALL necessary paperwork: i) your completed and signed application; ii) copies of paid receipts for all certification and inspection fees (remember, including paid receipts is optional as PCO will forward that information to PDA for you)
  - You do NOT need to send a copy of your certificate with your application
- You send all the above to PDA, marked to the attention of Michele Brookins at the address above.
- Postmark deadline for receipt of applications is October 31, 2020.

Hint:

If you are scheduled to have an inspection that occurs after the cut-off date of 9/30/20, you can request to pre-pay an “estimate” of your anticipated inspection fees prior to 9/30/20 so that fee will be eligible to qualify for reimbursement as well. The “estimate” will be based on your previous year’s inspection costs. If you are a new operator, that figure would be based on the type of operation you have. Otherwise, those fees will fall into the next year’s Cost Share Program period and will have to wait for qualification.

How to Get Organic Certification Cost Share Funds in Other States:

For information on how to apply for Certification Cost Share funds in other states, please view the contact list of National Organic Program (NOP) Certification Cost Share Program Participants and ask your state’s contact about application procedures and deadlines.