Through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs at a maximum of $750 per certification category.

FSA is accepting applications, and organic producers and handlers should apply for OCCSP by the Oct. 31 deadline for eligible expenses incurred from Oct. 1, 2023, to Sept. 30, 2024. FSA will issue payments as applications are received and approved.

“Costs associated with obtaining organic certification can be a barrier for Maine producers wanting to get certified,” said Sherry Hamel, FSA state executive director, according to a news release from the Farm Service Agency in Bangor. “Through OCCSP assistance, FSA helps Maine organic producers obtain certification and leverage related benefits like premium prices for commodities and access to broader markets and additional technical assistance.”

OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of organic agricultural commodities for expenses incurred obtaining or maintaining organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible OCCSP applicants include any certified organic producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Cost share assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments and postage. OCCSP pays a maximum of $750 per certification category for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees (California only).

To apply, producers and handlers should contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center and be prepared to provide documentation of organic certification and eligible expenses. OCCSP applications can also be submitted through participating state departments of agriculture. For more information, visit the OCCSP webpage at fsa.usda.gov.

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