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Organic Certification Cost Share Program - Executive Summary
from Oregon Tilth's Policy Recommendations for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
by Oregon Tilth
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides financial assistance to certified organic farmers and handlers throughout the United States through federal funds.
The reimbursement reduces the financial burdens of seeking and maintaining organic certification. Federal funding for cost share started in the 2002 Farm Bill as a way to meet consumer demand for domestic organic products and incentivize farmers to employ biologically sound practices.
The OCCSP suffers from a convoluted process causing relatively low utilization rates.
Nationally, the usage rate of the OCCSP is 38.5% 1 . Significant structural changes, as well as program administration changes, should be considered to remedy the obstacles around the OCCSP.
38.5% ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE PROGRAM NATIONAL USAGE RATE
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OUR POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE:
- Increasing funding to 75% up to $1,500 per scope while expanding coverage;
- Partnering with organic certifiers on more program administration with the opportunity to fund staffing and other associated program administration costs;
- Enhancing and streamlining communication and outreach tactics around the application process and program.
These solutions will make the OCCSP more efficient and by doing so will positively impact farmers, the environment and consumers alike. This program has the potential to uplift communities, food systems, people and habitats by creating more access to the organic industry for historically underserved farmers, climate-conscious farmers and small to mid-sized farms.
