USDA Provides New Cost Share Opportunities For Organic Producers & Handlers

By David Karki
SDSU Extension Agronomy Field Specialist

In recent times, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has shown increased interest in organic agriculture. As a result, on December 21, 2016, the USDA announced that starting March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers will be able to visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices across the country to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic or transitional certification.

National Organic Certification Cost Share Program

Organic producers through their local FSA office will be able to access organic certification cost-share reimbursements for up to 75 percent of the organic certification cost. By visiting local FSA offices, producers may also be able to learn about other valuation USDA resources such as farm loans and conservation assistance which can be utilized for overall farm success.

These changes are part of the USDA effort to encourage participation in the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Further, it not only provides opportunities for organic producers to access a full range of USDA programs, such as disaster protection and loans for farms, facilities and marketing but also the platform to access information on nonfederal agricultural resources, and get referrals to local experts, including organic agriculture, through USDA's Bridges to Opportunity service at the local FSA office.