West/Southwest
3391, 3391, OCCSP Cost Share Flyer, OCCSP.pdf, 528662, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/OCCSP.pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/occsp/, , 22, , , occsp, inherit, 0, 2023-10-25 22:52:49, 2023-10-25 22:53:30, 0, application/pdf, application, pdf, https://cms.organictransition.org/wp-includes/images/media/document.png
2023
Funding Available for Organic Farmers
How to apply for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
Background Information:
Federal funding is available to help agricultural producers transition to an organic
system of production! As part of the larger $300 million USDA Organic Transition
Initiative, the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) aims to help
producers adopt organic management systems in pursuit of certification.
The TOPP network covers six regions: the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast, Southeast,
Midwest, Plains, Northwest, and West/Southwest. Organizations in these regions
are actively forming partnerships to serve transitioning and existing organic
farmers. In the West and Southwest, CCOF will coordinate the work carried out
by dozens of community-based public, private, and nonprofit partners in seven
states: California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Hawaii.
OFRF is helping CCOF develop communications materials highlighting important
financial and technical assistance programs that are applicable to organic and
transitioning-to-organic operations at all scales and positions in the food system.
Program Highlight: Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
Who is eligible?
Certified organic producers and handlers in the United States or its territories.
What are you eligible to receive?
• 75% reimbursement of their organic certification fees up to a
maximum of $750 per certification. If you have multiple certification
scopes, you can apply for assistance with each certification.
• Eligible costs for certified organic operations include application fees,
organic inspection costs, fees related to equivalency requirements, travel
and per diem fees for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments, and
postage.
Viewing a printed version of this document? Visit https://ofrf.org/news/occsp-resources/ to access
this as a PDF with links.
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
National Organic Program
Transition to Organic Partnership Program
How can you apply for this program?
First, it’s always a good idea to review some materials.
1
This OCCSP USDA website has some general information, or the state-run
websites may have state-specific supplements (AZ, CA, TX).
OCCSP Fact Sheet (English)
OCCSP Fact Sheet (Español)
Find the right application.
Certified operations can apply through their Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or, if
their state is participating, through a state agency. If applying to the FSA, use the FSA
form following their provided instructions. If applying to the state-run program, use their
provided form (AZ, CA) or in the case of Texas, online application platform and an RFA.
2
Required financial information to gain access to government
payments.
3
If applying to FSA, they require an IRS W-9 form. In California they require a
Payee Data Record Form. In Arizona they require an AZ W-9 form. In Texas they
require a Tax ID to operate on their online platform.
Required documents.
4
Providing a copy of your certification and a proof of payment for that certification
and itemized receipts for any other costs to be covered.
Submit!
5
Sending all of this information to the correct state or federal agency office.
California
Texas
Arizona
Any producer may apply through the FSA:
Find your local FSA (federal) office.
Viewing a printed version of this document? Visit https://ofrf.org/news/topp-west-resources/
to access this as a PDF with links.
United States Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
National Organic Program
Transition to Organic Partnership Program