For many certified organic operations the Organic Certification Cost Share Program plays a critical role in financial planning and helps to defray costs conventional operations do not incur. In 2001 Congress allocated funding in five-year increments to reimburse certified organic producers and handlers for some of the costs of organic certification. In 2014 and 2019, during the federal budget debates, the Organic Share Program nearly lost its funding, but after a down-to-the-wire Congressional debate, the program was renewed and fully funded for another five years. Throughout theses debates MOSA consistently advocated to keep Organic Cost Share. From time to time, since the Organic Cost Share Program began, there has been some debate whether Organic Cost Share is a “government hand-out.” In each final decision, Congress recognized the organic industry as a significant and growing economic sector worthy of continued support.

The USDA Organic Cost Share Program describes: To be eligible for organic cost share, operations must possess USDA organic certification or be actively seeking organic certification at the time of application. To be eligible: 1) During the grant period of performance, the organic operation must have paid fees/expenses related to its initial certification, be actively seeking its initial certification, and have obtained certification from a USDA-accredited certifying agent. or 2) During the grant period of performance, the organic operation must have paid expenses/fees related to the renewal or be actively seeking renewal of its USDA organic certification from a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

The amount reimbursed depends upon: 1) the amount the certified organic operation has incurred and paid in allowable organic certification costs from October 1 through September 30 and 2) number of categories or “scopes” for which an operation is certified. Some states do not require that the costs be both incurred and paid between October 1 and September 30--just paid. Check with your local FSA Office or State contact for an application and for requirements. Allowable costs include certification and inspection fees. An organic operation can be reimbursed up to 75 percent for each category or “scope” of certification with a maximum reimbursement of $750.00 per scope. Examples of organic certification scopes include crop, livestock, wild crop, and handler. An organic operation certified for crop only that pays $1,000.00 in certification costs between October 1 and September 30 can expect $750.00 in cost share reimbursement. An organic operation certified in crop, livestock, and wild crop that pays $3,000.00 in allowable costs between October 1 and September 30 can expect $2250.00 in Cost Share reimbursement. Typical costs include paid certification fees and inspection fees. Late fees are not reimbursable.

Beginning March 20, 2017, organic producers and handlers can visit over 2,100 USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices to apply for federal reimbursement to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification. The application is typically one-page and includes a required W-9 form and if you operation is newly certified between October 1 and September 30 you’ll need to include a copy of your organic certificate with your Cost Share application. You may also apply through participating State agencies (Listed Below).

Some states reimburse on a first-come, first serve basis; some states wait until November - December to distribute reimbursements.

MOSA is committed to simplifying the application process and helping our clients receive their reimbursement. We work closely with the individual state Cost Share programs, making sure that each state has a list of actively certified clients and paid fee information. Clients have asked whether MOSA completes the cost share applications or sends out the reimbursements. MOSA does not complete, submit, accept, or process cost share applications. The applicant must complete and send the application to the FSA or state Cost Share Program.

MOSA is pleased to announce that you may now view, download and print copies of your paid invoices directly from your online MyMOSA account. 

From your MyMOSA Dashboard, simply click the new option "Paid Invoices." This will help to simplify your application process for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program.

You may also contact MOSA directly at 1-844-637-2526, or at mosa@mosaorganic.org for copies of your paid invoices.

For most states the application deadline is October 31. However, application deadlines vary from state to state and can be earlier than October 31; for some states the Cost Share application process is ongoing without formal deadlines. If you will be applying for Organic Cost Share, it’s best to confirm your state’s Cost Share application deadline and application requirements by contacting your state Cost Share Program directly. Below is the list of state contacts and application deadlines for MOSA-certified organic operations. If you can’t reach your state Cost Share contact or need the state’s website address, please contact MOSA. Utah does not participate in Organic Cost Share. For more detailed information about Organic Cost Share, visit the National Organic Program. MOSA staff is always happy to answer your questions about cost share and the application process and help you as needed. Feel free to call us 844-637-2526.