USDA Announces $20 Million for Certified Organic and Transitioning Operations

USDA will be providing $20 million in pandemic assistance to cover organic certification costs, plus educational expenses for farmers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). USDA has created new opportunities for farms that are in the process of transitioning to organic certification to get some costs reimbursed.  

NOTE: The deadline has been extended! Farmers can now apply until February 4 for expenses for 2020 and 2021.

Here are some additional details about the program:

  • Organic certification cost share limits are 25% up to $250 per scope* from this round of funding for both 2020 and 2021 (a total of $500 if you have one scope and certification costs for both 2020 and 2021). This funding is in addition to the reimbursement already provided under the Organic Certification Cost Share program, which was limited to 50% up $500 per scope in 2020 and 2021.

  • This new funding covers expenses from 2020, 2021 and 2022. You can apply for 2020 and 2021 at the same time (starting on November 8th.)

  •  Crop and livestock operations transitioning to organic production may be eligible for 75% of a transitional operation’s eligible expenses, up to $750, for each year. This includes fees charged by a certifying agent or consultant for pre-certification inspections and development of an organic system plan. 

  • In addition to certification costs, there are two new options for expenses that can get some amount of reimbursement (for either certified or transitioning operations):

1.     Educational expenses (such as conference registrations, reimbursable for 75% up to $200).

2.     Soil testing expenses (reimbursable for 75% up to $100).

  • Farmers should apply no later than February 4, 2022 through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364. More information is available here: https://www.farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance/otecp

 

*Certification scopes are: crops, livestock, wild crops, handling. If a producer is certified to more than one scope, they can apply for certification cost share for each scope.

You can read the USDA press release here. You can learn more about the cuts made in 2020 to the organic certification program and NOC’s advocacy to restore funding for organic certification here.

Lea Kone