Certificate Cost Share Program

USDA-NOP Organic Certification Cost Share Program

On October 31, 2002 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the creation of the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, authorized by the 2002 Farm Bill. This program, funded with a total of $5 million in federal monies, will allocate the monies to state organic programs in proportion to the number of organic producers and handlers within each state. The state organic programs, in turn, will reimburse each eligible producer or handler for up to 75% of their certification costs, not to exceed $500.

The Missouri Department of Agriculture (MDA) signed a cooperative agreement with USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) on December 16, 2002 to implement the certification cost-share program. Under the cooperative agreement, MDA has agreed to review applications from certified Missouri organic producers and handlers and disperse the available funds to qualified applicants. To qualify, applicants will be required to complete a signed application and supply a copy of their organic certificates, with an invoice documenting their certification costs and a completed vendor input form. Missouri received $30,000 for the 2002-2003 period.

If you have been contacted about this program, you should expect an application to be sent to you. If you feel that you qualify for certification cost share, and you have not been contacted by MDA about this program or do not receive your application, please contact Lane McConnell with the Domestic Marketing Program.

Organic Certification Cost Share Program Information (PDF: 65kb)
Organic Certification Cost Share Program Guidelines (PDF: 68kb)
Organic Certification Cost Share Program Application (PDF: 70kb)
Vendor Input Form Application (PDF: 85kb)