Organic Certification Cost Share Program Cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who have received organic certification through a USDA-accredited certifying agent

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program, administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) through USDA Agricultural Marketing Service funding, reimburses certified organic producers and handlers for up to 75% of their direct organic certification costs, not to exceed $750 per certification scope. Eligible certification scopes include crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling.

Reimbursement is available to operations newly certified or re-certified under the National Organic Program on a first-come, first-served basis. Operations with suspended, revoked, or withdrawn certifications are ineligible. Allowable costs include inspection fees, USDA certification fees, and State Organic Program fees.

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We will update this website as more information becomes available. ** The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) offers funding assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to organic producers and handlers of agricultural products who have received organic certification through a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Certified organic operations may receive reimbursement of up to **75%** of their direct certification costs paid between October 1 and September 30 annually, not to exceed **$750**per certification scope. There are up to four eligible certification scopes (crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling), which must be individually inspected for organic certification to be eligible for reimbursement.

Reimbursement is available on a first come, first served basis. Certified organic producers and handlers who have paid certification fees to become newly certified or re-certified for specific scopes under the National Organic Program (NOP) are eligible for cost-share reimbursement. Reimbursement for organic transition is not currently available.

Operations with suspended, revoked, or withdrawn certifications are also ineligible for cost share reimbursement.

* ​Inspection fees, including travel costs and per diem for organic inspectors * USDA organic certification costs, including fees necessary to access international markets with which AMS has equivalency agreements or arrangements * User fees/sale assessments * State Organic Program fees (NOCCSP only) * Inspections due to violations of USDA Organic regulations or State Organic Program requirements * Costs related to non-USDA organic certifications * Costs related to transitional certification * Costs related to any other labeling programs * Materials, supplies, and equipment **PLEASE NOTE: Applications for 2024 are now closed as all funds have been expended for this year.

** **For VOF-certified businesses:**If your business is certified through the Vermont Organic Farmers (VOF) certification program, please contact NOFA-VOF for an expedited application process.

**For all other USDA-accredited certified operations,**please submit the following completed documents: * A current W-9 Form; please see W-9 Form Instructions to ensure an accurate submission * Copy of your organic certification * Copy of an itemized receipt that identifies allowable costs paid within the qualification period of October 1, 2022 through September 30, 2023 **Applications should be mailed to:** Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets Organic Reimbursement Program Montpelier, VT 05620-2901 If you would like to learn more about the USDA Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) organic certification reimbursement opportunity, visit USDA’sOrganic Certification Cost Share Programswebpage.

Montpelier, Vt 05620-2901 **​​​​​​Public****Records Requests Contact:** **Scott Waterman**| Director of Communications and Policy |Scott. Waterman@vermont. gov * Licensing & Registration * Feed, Seed, Fertilizer & Lime * Working Lands Enterprise Initiative * Plant Industry Division * Consumer Protection / Weights & Measures