Persistence Is Powerful: Organic Certification Cost Share Funds Released a Year After Being Authorized
Context
2026 fly-in participants ahead of meeting with USDA FSA leadership on the impacts of cost share delays.
The federal budget reconciliation law signed on July 4, 2025, provided funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) for fiscal years 2025 through 2031. OCCSP helps defray certification expenses for organic farms and businesses. But USDA’s year-long delay in distributing the 2025 reimbursements has meant organic farmers and businesses were left facing unnecessary financial strain. Without timely reimbursements, farms may delay renewal, scale back, or exit organic entirely.
“NOC appreciates USDA taking this important step to release certification cost share funds for organic producers and handlers,” said Abby Youngblood, Executive Director of the National Organic Coalition. “These reimbursements are badly needed, especially by small and midsize operations facing rising certification costs. But the nearly year-long delay created unnecessary hardship, and we urge USDA to process applications and payments as quickly as possible.”
Details
Last week USDA announced that FSA county offices are now accepting OCCSP applications for both 2025 and 2026 until December 31, 2026.
Here are some key details:
For program year 2025, certified operations will be eligible if they were certified at any time during the 2025 program year.
Operations can apply for a certification cost share reimbursement for both 2025 and 2026 at the same time; or they can apply for 2025 now and 2026 at a later date; however, the application deadline for both 2025 and 2026 is Dec. 31, 2026.
Cost share assistance will be provided to producers and handlers on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds for a program year are expended. Applications received after funds are exhausted will not be paid.
Producers and handlers can apply now through their local FSA county office. Applicants will need to fill out an individual application for each program year. Producers and handlers will also be able to apply through participating state agencies once USDA completes its forthcoming state agency application process.
Eligible producers and handlers may receive 75% of eligible certification costs, up to $750 per certification scope.
Applicants applying through FSA must submit Form CCC-884, proof of USDA organic certification, itemized invoices for allowable certification costs, and Form AD-2047 if not already filed with FSA.
Read the USDA press release or the final rule for more details.
Thank You, Organic Community
The organic community made sure USDA understood the impact these delays were having on organic operations. Farmers joined the National Organic Coalition in meeting with USDA leadership in March to press for action on the delay. USDA and Congress received thousands of messages from advocates through NOC’s action alert. NOC and other organic partners worked with Congress to keep pressing the Secretary. While the long delay is disappointing, NOC is grateful to the USDA for finally taking action and releasing the funds.