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Frequently Asked Questions - Organic Cost Share

Frequently asked questions about the Organic Cost Share Program.

What certification costs are allowable?

What is the eligible period for the FY 2014 OCCSP?

Can a certified operation receive reimbursement for allowable certification costs paid prior to or after the eligible period?

I am getting inspected for a private-label certification other than USDA organic. Is this cost eligible for reimbursement under the OCCSP?

I am certified transitional; can I participate in the OCCSP?

I am applying for USDA organic certification for the first time. Can I receive reimbursement for certification-related expenses before I receive my certificate?

What is the reimbursement amount available to a certified operation?

What is the maximum reimbursement amount available to a certified operation?

How can State Agencies verify organic certification?

Is my state eligible to participate in USDA’s organic certification cost-share program?

I don’t produce traditional agricultural products. Can I still receive reimbursement for my USDA organic certification-related expenses?

I have certified operations in more than one state; where should I apply for reimbursement?

My certifier is taking an unreasonably long time to make a decision on my application for USDA organic certification. What can I do?

What is the deadline to apply for reimbursement?

Will funds for the OCCSP be available next year?

back to topWhat certification costs are allowable?

Allowable certification costs are found in the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs FY 2014 Policies and Procedures. See page 8 of Exhibit 1 – Allowable and Unallowable Certification Costs.

back to topWhat is the eligible period for the FY 2014 OCCSP?

October 1, 2013 through September 30, 2014.

back to topCan a certified operation receive reimbursement for allowable certification costs paid prior to or after the eligible period?

No, operators may only be reimbursed for allowable certification costs paid during the eligible period.

back to topI am getting inspected for a private-label certification other than USDA organic. Is this cost eligible for reimbursement under the OCCSP?

No. Only allowable certification costs related to USDA organic certification are eligible for reimbursement.

back to topI am certified transitional; can I participate in the OCCSP?

No. Your operation must have received USDA organic certification from an accredited certifying agent in order to participate in the OCCSP.

back to topI am applying for USDA organic certification for the first time. Can I receive reimbursement for certification-related expenses before I receive my certificate?

No. Proof of USDA organic certification is required to claim reimbursement. A copy of the Certificate of Organic Operation is required for first-time applicants.

back to topWhat is the reimbursement amount available to a certified operation?

A certified operation may be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of their allowable certification costs, not to exceed $750 per certification.

back to topWhat is the maximum reimbursement amount available to a certified operation?

The maximum reimbursement is $750 per certification scope. An operation may be certified under more than one certification scope. Since there are 4 possible certification scopes, the maximum reimbursement amount is $3000. This would occur if the operator is certified for all 4 scopes
(crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling) and the overall allowable certification costs are equal to or greater than $4000 (the 75% rule).

back to topHow can State Agencies verify organic certification?

The primary method of verification occurs through the review of the certified operation’s organic certificate(s). If the State Agency has any questions regarding the organic certificate, they should first contact the issuing accredited certifying agent. If the questions cannot be resolved by contacting the accredited certifying agent, then the State Agency should contact the Cost Share Program Manager. Alternatively, a State Agency can request and accept lists of certified operations from accredited certifying agents.

back to topIs my state eligible to participate in USDA’s organic certification cost-share program?

Yes, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are eligible to participate in the NOCCSP. Sixteen (16) states are eligible to participate in the AMA, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Note: Although all states may participate, not all do.

back to topI don’t produce traditional agricultural products. Can I still receive reimbursement for my USDA organic certification-related expenses?

Yes, provided you have a current USDA organic certificate from an accredited certifying agent, you may submit your application for reimbursement to your State Agency.

back to topI have certified operations in more than one state; where should I apply for reimbursement?

You should submit applications for reimbursement to the state(s) in which your certified operation(s) is located. For example, if you have an operation in Nebraska and an operation in South Dakota and each operation holds a separate certification, submit an application for the Nebraska operation to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and submit an application for the South Dakota operation to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture. If the operations are included under a single certification, then the application should be submitted to the State Agency where the business is headquartered, as identified on the certification.

back to topMy certifier is taking an unreasonably long time to make a decision on my application for USDA organic certification. What can I do?

Please refer your complaint to the USDA National Organic Program’s Compliance and Enforcement division. How to File a Complaint.

back to topWhat is the deadline to apply for reimbursement?

State Agencies determine their application deadlines; contact your State Agency for specific information.

back to topWill funds for the OCCSP be available next year?

Yes. Funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs is authorized through FY 2018; however, the FY 2015 funding levels are estimated to be $1M for the AMA OCCSP and the $10.6M for the National OCCSP. After 2018, Congress must enact new legislation and appropriations for these cost share programs.

 


NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food
Mailing: PO Box 2042, Concord NH 03302 -2042
Physical: 25 Capitol Street, Second Floor, Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3551 | fax: (603) 271-1109