USDA cost share for 2022
OTECP covers cost share implications such as the following:- 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), and
- Soil testing (75% up to $100).
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 on the OTECP and OCCSP web pages. Applications for OTECP and OCCSP are both due Oct. 31, 2022.State agency opportunities
FSA is accepting applications for state agencies to administer OCCSP through July 18. 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 from either FSA or the participating state department of agriculture.More information of the USDA OTECP and OCCSP programs
OTECP builds upon OCCSP, providing additional relief to help producers during the pandemic. OTECP uses funds from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Meanwhile, OCCSP is funded through the Farm Bill. USDA has made other strides to assist organic producers. In 2022, USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) increased expansion limits for organic producers with coverage through Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP). RMA also updated the insurance option to allow producers to report acreage as certified organic or transitioning, as long as organic certification was requested by the acreage reporting date. Also, this year, RMA introduced a new option – Micro Farm – through WFRP designed for producers with small-scale operations that sell locally, which includes organic producers.Mary Kirby is the Public Affairs/Outreach Specialist for the Farm Service Agency division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.