Farmers market display with various kinds of fruitThe USDA Farm Service Agency will cover up to 75% of organic certification costs through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. This includes a maximum of $750 per certification category. The program helps producers and handlers obtain and maintain organic certification under USDA’s National Organic Program.

Covered expenses include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments and postage.

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program was part of an announcement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack that included the Organic Market Development Grant program and Organic Transition Initiative. The Organic Transition Initiative provides direct assistance for organic production, processing and conservation.

Read more on the USDA Assistance for organic certification here.