Apply for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program

What is the Organic Certification Cost Share Program?

It is a cost sharing program that reimburses certified organic farmers and food processors up to 75% ($750 maximum) of the total certification cost.

Who May Apply?

Organic operations certified for crops, wild crops, livestock and handlers. See “more info” below to see definitions of those categories.

What do you need?

• Criteria and Application form (.pdf or .docx). This document outlines and explains all details, requirements, and instructions for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
• Copies of your organic cost share certification
• Proof of certification payment (i.e. receipt of cancelled check)
• Required Forms: W9 Form, Electronic Funds Transfer Form, and Commonwealth Terms and Conditions

Definitions:

Crops: Pastures, cover crops, green manure crops, catch crops, or any plant or part of a plant intended to be marketed as an agricultural product, fed to livestock, or used in the field to manage nutrients and soil fertility,

Wild Crops: Any plant or option of a plant that is collected or harvested from a site that is not maintained under cultivation, and;

Livestock: Any cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, or equine animals used for food or in the production of food, fiber, feed, or other agricultural-based consumer products; wild or domesticated game; or other non-plant life, except such term shall not include aquatic animals for the production of food, fiber, feed, or other agricultural-based consumer products.

Handler (processor): Any operation engaged in the business of selling, processing or packaging agricultural products except for final retailers that do not process agricultural products.

Operations may receive one (1) reimbursement per certificate or category of certification (if one certificate includes multiple categories). For example, if an operation is certified for the crops category only, it is eligible for up to 75% of certification costs up to a maximum of $750.00. If an operation is certified for crops and livestock, it is eligible for up to 75% of the certification costs for two of these categories for a total of $1,500.00. If an operation is certified for crops, wild crops and livestock, it is eligible for up to 75% of certification costs for three of these categories for a total of $2,250.00. If an operation is certified for crops, wild crops, livestock and handler, it is eligible for up to 75% of certification costs for all four categories for a total of $3,000.00.

Applicants must successfully receive their first organic certification from a USDA accredited certifying agent or have incurred expenses related to the renewal of certification between October 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023, thus the 2022 and 2023 Federal Fiscal Years.