Oregon Tilth's Policy Recommendations for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program
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.
This white paper explores potential opportunities to improve OCCSP.