The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has announced the availability of $2,180,870 for organic certification assistance to organic operations in California.

Funds from the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) are available through CDFA’s State Organic Program (SOP) to help more organic operations succeed and take advantage of economic opportunities in this growing market.

Cost share helps farmers and processors afford the expense of organic certification by refunding up to 75 percent or $750 of their certification fees.

Cost Share funds are available to any eligible organic operation in California that has received or renewed organic certification between Oct. 1, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2016.

The SOP administers the Cost Share program in California, and is responsible for reviewing and approving cost share applications.

The SOP then works with the State Controller’s Office to process funds for the issuance of reimbursement checks to the organic operations.

In addition, the SOP collaborates with accredited certifying agents to ensure that cost share resources are available to their clients and information is posted on their respective certifier websites.

The deadline for submitting Cost Share applications to CDFA is Oct. 31, 2016. Applications must be postmarked by this date.

The following are needed to complete a Cost Share application:

• A copy of an organic certification document.
• Copies of all associated organic certification and inspection expense receipts.
- Please contact a certifier if you do not have the above documents.
• Completed and signed CDFA Cost Share Application. The applications can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to CDFA.
• Completed Payee Data Record (STD. 204) form. (Name on this form must match the name on the Cost Share application).

To apply, go to the CDFA Web site, http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/organic.html and download the Cost Share application packet/documents. Send the completed, signed application to CDFA with all supporting documentation listed above.

Applications are approved on a “first received, first approved” basis. Incomplete applications will be returned and the application process will need to be started again.

Applications must be sent to CDFA. Do not send the application to your certifier. Mail applications to California Department of Food and Agriculture, State Organic Program, Cost Share Reimbursement,
ATTN: Sharon Parsons, 1220 N St., Sacramento, CA 95814.

Please allow six to eight weeks for the completion of the Cost Share process. For additional information or assistance, please contact Sharon Parsons at 916-900-5202 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .