Organic Certification Cost Share Programs

Description

The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) is authorized under section10606(d)(1) of the FarmSecurity and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.7901 note), as amended bysection 10004(c) of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014Farm Bill; Pub. L. 113-79) to provide organic certification cost share assistance to certified organic operations (producers and handlers) located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. Territories including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (subsequently, referred to asstates or state agencies). USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) administers then OCCSP using relevant sections of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and2 CFR 200. FSA awards NOCCSP funds to eligible State Agencies, which operate as a pass-through system, by accepting and approving their applications so they can issue reimbursements to certified organic operations for specific certifications costs. In FY 2019, approximately $17.4M is available for NOCCSP. The FY 2019 Request for Applications outlines the eligibility and performancecriteria for State Agencies seeking NOCCSP funds. Certified organic operations may request reimbursement for specific certification costs incurred from October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2019. To receive NOCCSP cost share assistance, certified organic producers and handlers must contact their respective State Department of Agriculture. Additional guidance is available at: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/

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