USDA Farm Service Agency and Minnesota Department of Agriculture to Hold Organic Programs Webinar

ST. PAUL, Minn., September 6, 2022 – The deadline to apply for the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) and Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) is October 31, 2022. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is holding a virtual information session on September 13, 2022, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. (CST).

Staff from FSA and MDA will provide an overview of both programs and include information on how to apply for these cost share opportunities. To attend the webinar, register here. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to participate in this meeting should contact Ellyn Oelfke at 651-602-7732 or dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunication relay services.

About the Programs

OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 50 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $500 per certification scope. Producers and handlers may submit OCCSP applications to FSA county offices or they may apply through participating state agencies.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, certified organic and transitional operations faced loss of markets, increased costs, labor shortages, and expenses related to obtaining or renewing their organic certification. If you are a producer or handler of agricultural commodities that are certified organic, or transitioning your operation to certified organic, you may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses paid during fiscal year 2022 through OTECP. This program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Whether you’re an established organic operation or thinking about transitioning to organic, USDA has available programs and services. For more information, visit fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA Service Center.

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit usda.gov.