Organics

Page 1

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FARM SERVICE AGENCY FACT SHEET

October 2017

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), 

administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA), 

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. Once certified, 

organic producers and handlers are eligible to receive 

reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs 

each year, up to a maximum of $750 per certification 

scope—crops, livestock, wild crops, handling and State 

Organic Program fees.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Certified organic producers and handlers who have paid 

certification fees during the 2017 or 2018 program year 

may apply for reimbursement of the incurred costs.

Program 

Year

Covers expenses 

paid from...

The application 

deadline is...*

2017 Oct. 1, 2016, through 

Sept. 30, 2017

Oct. 31, 2017.

2018 Oct. 1, 2017, through 

Sept. 30, 2018

Oct. 31, 2018.

*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.

IS CERTIFICATION REQUIRED TO 

PARTICIPATE?

Yes. Organic certification cost share funds are only 

available to certified organic producers and handlers. 

Certification must be provided by a USDA-accredited 

certifying agent. If your operation is not currently 

certified organic and you would like to learn more about 

the certification process, please visit 

www.fsa.usda.gov/organic.

WHAT COSTS ARE REIMBURSABLE?

Eligible costs include application fees, inspection costs, 

fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement 

requirements, travel/per diem for inspectors, user fees, 

sales assessments and postage.

WHAT COSTS ARE NOT REIMBURSABLE?

Ineligible costs include equipment, materials, supplies, 

transitional certification fees, late fees and inspections 

necessary to address National Organic Program 

regulatory violations.

WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM REIMBURSEMENT 

AMOUNT?

The maximum per certification scope (crops, livestock, 

wild crops, handling or State Organic Program fees) is 

$750.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR REIMBURSEMENT?

You may apply to a participating state agency according 

to their deadlines, or you may apply directly to one 

of over 2,100 FSA offices. Applicants must typically 

submit a one-page application form, W-9 tax form (to 

participating state agencies), proof of certification and 

an itemized invoice of certification expenses.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

This fact sheet is for informational purposes only; 

other eligibility requirements may apply. For more 

information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/organic or contact 

your local FSA office. To find your local FSA office, 

visit http://offices.usda.gov.

_______________________________________

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and 

employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are 

prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 

status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or 

activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies 

and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program 

information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) 

should contact the responsible Agency or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 

(voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-

8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other 

than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA 

and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy 

of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to 

USDA by:

1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for

 Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or

3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.