USDA accepting applications to help cover costs of organic, transitioning producers in W
isconsin Agricultural producers and handlers who are certifi ed organic, along with producers and handlers who are transitioning to organic production, can now apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic and Transitional Education Certification Program (OTECP) and Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP), which help producers and handlers cover the cost of organic certification, along with other related expenses. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due October 31, 2022.
“By helping with organic certification costs – long identified as a barrier to certification – USDA has helped producers participate in new consumer driven markets while investing in the long-term soil and financial health of their operations,” said Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Gene Schriefer. “We launched the Organic and Transitional Education Certification Program to build on the support offered through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program and provide additional assistance to organic and transitioning producers weathering the continued market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organic research underway in Wisconsin and other states clearly demonstrates that, with management, crop yields are comparable to conventionally grown crops, dramatically improving profit margins. This year, in response to stakeholder feedback, we have aligned the signup dates for these two organic programs and encourage Wisconsin producers to work with the local USDA Service Centers and State agencies t o complete the applications. We’re committed to making sure our Nation’s organic producers and handlers have the tools they need to continue positively shaping our local and regional food systems.”
Cost Share for 2022 OTECP covers:
• Certification costs for organic producers and handlers (25% up to $250 per category).
• Eligible expenses for transitional producers, including fees for pre-certification inspections and development of an organic system plan (75% up to $750).
• Registration fees for educational events (75% up to $200).
• Soil testing (75% up to $100). Meanwhile, OCCSP covers 50% or up to $500 per category of certification costs in 2022.
This cost share for certification is available for each of these categories: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/ handling and State organic program fees.
Producers can receive cost share through both OTECP and OCCSP. Both OTECP and OCCSP cover costs incurred from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022. Producers have until October 31, 2022 to file applications, and FSA will make payments as applications are received.
How to Apply
To apply, producers and handlers should contact the Farm Service Agency (FSA) at their local USDA Service Center. As part of completing the OCCSP applications, producers and handlers will need to provide documentation of their organic certification and eligible expenses. Organic producers and handlers may also apply for OCCSP through participating State agencies.
Additional details can be found online at https://www. farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance/otecp and https:// www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/occsp/index.
Opportunity for State Agencies
FSA is accepting applications for State agencies to administer OCCSP through July 18, 2022. If a State department of agriculture chooses to participate in OCCSP, both the State department of agriculture and FSA County Offices in that State will accept OCCSP applications and make payments to eligible certified operations. However, the producer or handler may only receive OCCSP assistance by either FSA or the participating State department of agriculture.
