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USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program is now OPEN! Source: https://www.michiganfarmnews.com/usda-offers-assistance-for-organic-certification-costs * Do you have your organic certificate in hand (received between Nov 1? Would you like to be reimbursed for at least some of the cost? Then you can apply for the USDA Organic Cost Share. * Note you can apply for reimbursement for each organic certificate AND each year that you receive NOP organic certification. USDA offers assistance for organic certification costs Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage. | Photo by USDA August 18, 2021 Organic producers and handlers can now apply for USDA funds to assist with the cost of receiving or maintaining organic certification. Applications for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) are due Nov. 1, 2021. OCCSP provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. “Many farmers have told us that cost was a barrier to their ability to get an organic certification,” said Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). “By assisting with the costs, this program can help organic farmers get their certification along with the benefits that come with it.” Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent during the 2021 and any subsequent program year. Producers can be reimbursed for expenses made between Oct. 1, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021 including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and postage. For 2021, OCCSP will reimburse 50% of a certified operation’s allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories: * Crops * Wild crops * Livestock * Processing/handling * State organic program fees Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through an FSA county office<https://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=mi&agency=fsa> (Farming Service Agency locator for Michigan<https://www.farmers.gov/working-with-us/service-center-locator>). This funding will be complemented by an additional $20 million for organic and transitioning producers through the Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. More information on that funding will be available in the coming weeks. To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage<https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index>, visit usda.gov/organic<file:///C:/Users/Jadamy/Desktop/usda.gov/organic>, or contact your local USDA Service Center. [signature_1455108523] Vicki Morrone Organic Farming Specialist Center for Regional Food Systems at Michigan State University 480 Wilson Rd East Lansing, MI 48824 517-282-3557 (cell) [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu<http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu> sorrone11 (skype) Diversity is having a seat at the table, inclusion is having a voice, and belonging is having that voice be heard. If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html