The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program and Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The programs help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses.
Farm Service Agency Administrator Zach Ducheneaux says, “By helping with organic certification costs – long identified as a barrier to certification – USDA has helped producers participate in new markets while investing in the long-term health of their operations.”
To apply, producers and handlers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center. As part of completing the applications, organic producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses. Organic producers and handlers may also apply for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program through participating State agencies. The Organic Certification Cost Share Program covers 50 percent or up to $500 per category of certification costs in 2022.