Funding Resources
USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides organic producers and handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost of organic certification. The program reimburses producers and handlers for a portion of their paid certification costs.
Organic operators can be reimbursed on an annual basis as much as 75 percent of their certification costs from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023, up to a maximum of $750 per scope of certification. Organic operations may receive one reimbursement per scope of certification per year. This means that clients that are certified of crops and livestock may be eligible for more than one reimbursement.
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. You may apply through your local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or through participating state agencies.
To read the full Policies and Procedures of the National Organic Program (NOP) for cost share, click here.
- Recipients must be certified organic under the National Organic Program (NOP) to receive cost share assistance.
- Organic farmers and handlers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marina Islands, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to participate.
- Certified organic producers and handlers who have paid certification fees during the 2021 program year may apply for reimbursement of the incurred costs.
- Operations with suspended or revoked certifications are ineligible for reimbursement.
- For the program year 2022, OCCSP covers expenses paid from October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023.
- Application can be found here.
- Completed organic cost share reimbursement application form
- FSA Application here or contact your participating state agency.
- Proof of Certification
- Organic certificate with date, certification number and name of certifier.
- Operations with suspended or revoked certifications are ineligible for reimbursement.
- Itemized invoice detailing certification fees that have been marked "paid"
- Eligible Fees: application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement requirements, travel/per diem for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.
- Ineligible Fees: equipment, materials, supplies, transitional certification fees, late fees and inspections necessary to address National Organic Program regulatory violations.
- If applying to PDA and NYSDAM, they will contact PCO to submit proof of payment and a copy of your certification on your behalf; you will not need to include copies of paid invoices as an attachment with your application
- Financial forms as required by FSA
- Apply through your local FSA office or provided state agency
- You can find an FSA county office near you with the Service Center Locator.
- Postmark deadline for receipt of applications is October 31, 2023.
- If your operation is in Pennsylvania or New York, an application will be mailed directly from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) or New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM) by the end of September. Once they receive your application, PDA and NYSDAM will contact PCO to submit proof of payment and a copy of your certification on your behalf; you will not need to include copies of paid invoices as an attachment with your application.
- OCCSP funds are limited and applications are paid on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications received after all funds are obligated will not be paid.
- PCO does not accept or process cost share applications. The applicant must complete and submit their own application. Do not send applications to PCO.
Do you need to access your paid invoices for the Cost Share Program?
To have immediate access to your paid invoices, create a customer portal here. Once your online portal is created you can view, print or download invoices.
If you would like PCO to forward your paid invoices, complete this form to request additional information from PCO (please allow up to 5 business days for PCO to respond).
Overview: Farm Bill Programs & Grants
For access to a quick guide to federal farm and food-related programs and grants from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, visit their website to learn more.
USDA Agriculture Marketing Service Grant Programs
Specialty Crop Block Grant Program – This program provides grants to individual state departments of agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops (defined as: fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and nursery crops (including floriculture)). The state departments of agriculture then distribute their grant funds to individual producers of specialty crops in their state.
Contact your State Department of Agriculture for information on these or other programs available in your state.
Natural Resource Conservation Service Programs
EQIP Organic Initiative Program – The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with landowners through conservation planning and assistance designed to benefit the soil, water, air, plants and animals that result in productive lands and healthy ecosystems. Funds are available for those transitioning to organic and currently certified organic producers through EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program). For further information and to apply, visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/eqip/organic.
Visit www.nrcs/usda/gov/programs for information on additional funding programs that may apply to your operation, including:
- Farm & Ranch Lands Protection Program
- Grassland Reserve Program
- Health Forests Reserve Program
- Agricultural Management Assistance Program
More information on these and other NRCS programs can be found at www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs or by contacting your State NRCS Office.