Eligibility

To be eligible, a producer or handler must have paid fees/expenses related to certification under the National Organic Program between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. An eligible producer or handler must provide the following information to CT DOAG to apply for reimbursement through the OCCSP:

• Evidence that the operation has a valid organic certification under the National Organic Program at the time of application
• An itemized receipt that identifies allowable coasts paid within the qualification period of October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022
• A completed State Agency application for producers or handlers located within the State
• A W-9 Tax Form
• A State Vendor Form
• An ACH Direct Deposit form

Allowable Costs:

• A copy of the current Organic Certificate
• A receipt from the accredited certifier showing costs paid between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.
• USDA organic certification costs, including fees necessary to access international markets with which AMS has equivalency agreements or arrangements

Unallowable Costs:

• Inspections due to violations of USDA Organic regulations or State Organic Program requirements
• Costs related to non-USDA organic certifications
• Costs related to transitional certification
• Costs related to any other labeling programs
• Materials, supplies, and equipment
• Late fees
• Membership fees
• Consultant fees

Organic operations certified for any of the five eligible scopes, 1) Crops 2) Wild Crops 3) Livestock 4) Handler 5) Organic Program fees, are eligible to participate in the NOCCSP.