Laws/Regulations

The National Organic Certification Cost Share program (NOCCSP) is authorized under section 10606(d)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C 6523(d)), as amended by section 10004(c) of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill; Pub. L. 113-79) and Section 10105 of the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill; Pub. L. 115-334). Under this authority, Congress authorizes USDA to provide organic certification cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining certification under the National Organic Program.

The Agricultural Management Assistance Organic Certification Cost Share (AMA) is authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act (FCIA), as amended (7 U.S.C 1524). Under this authority, Congress authorizes USDA to provide organic certification cost share assistance only to producers of agricultural products who are obtaining certification under the National Organic Program within the following 16 States: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

FSA administers the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) using relevant sections of the Organic Roods Production Act of 1990 and the Uniform Grant Guidance, 2 CFR 200. FSA awards OCCSP funds to eligible State Agencies, which operate as a pass-through system, by accepting and approving applications from producers and handlers so that State Agencies can issue reimbursements to organic operations.