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Certification News 2025 A N O R GA NI C CO MMUN I TY BUL L ETI N SINC E 1 974
Get Reimbursed for C e r t i f i c at i o n C o s t s
Key Regulatory Updates:
Reminder: Schedule Your Inspection Before the End of the Calendar Year Per the National Organic Program’s (NOP’s) Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) regulations, operations must be inspected at least once per calendar year. What Does This Mean for Me? Your operation must undergo an annual inspection at your listed address(es) at least once per calendar year. Failing to schedule and undergo an inspection once per calendar year can result in a Notice of Noncompliance. This can result in suspension of certified organic status. Additional inspections, announced or unannounced, may take place at the discretion of CCOF.
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program has received an investment of $8 million per year through 2031 under the latest federal budget reconciliation legislation. Organic Cost Share is a program that provides rebates to certified organic farmers, ranchers, and processors/handlers for their organic certification costs. This funding helps American farmers and ranchers maintain compliance and meet rigorous organic standards to stay competitive in a growing market. The Organic Certification Cost Share Program reimburses a percentage of eligible certification fees. Scopes include: crops, livestock, handling, and wild crop. In addition, registration in a state organic program, such as California’s, is also considered a scope and is eligible for reimbursement. •
Organic operations can apply at their local Farm Service Agency office or through participating state departments of agriculture.
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Find your local Farm Service Agency office.
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Find your state department of agriculture.
CCOF is happy to support our members in providing required paperwork. For California clients, we send each certified operation a packet with all necessary documents and proof of fee payment. For clients outside of California, we provide current proof of certified status and proof of payment, along with a list of Farm Service Agency office contacts to help guide you through the process.
Renew Your Certification
Each year, certified operations are required to submit an annual renewal contract and pay certification fees. You will receive a renewal package by mail and email in early November. Submit your contract and payment by January 1. This deadline allows CCOF to keep inspections as cost-effective as possible. You may submit your contract and payment online at www.ccof.org/renew, through MyCCOF, by mail, or by phone at (831) 423-2263.
Renewal Timeline November: Renewal contracts and invoices sent by email and mail.
Please reach out to costshare@ccof.org with any questions.
January 1, 2026: All renewal contracts and annual payments are due.
Click the QR code on pages 3,5, or 7 to access all the resources listed!
February 15: Last day to withdraw from certification without accruing 2026 certification fees.
Food Safety IFA v6 Update All operations certified to the GLOBALG.A.P. Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) Plants standard must be in compliance with Version 6 of the SMART and GFS standards as of January 1, 2025.
Check our website calendar for upcoming Food Safety Training Academy opportunities including trainings for GLOBALG.A.P. and PrimusGFS.