The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) is authorized under section 10606(d)(1) of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (7 U.S.C.

7901 note), as amended by section 10004(c) of the Agriculture Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill; Pub.

L.

113–79

credit: Cesare Griffa Official Website

to provide organic certification cost share assistance to organic operations (producers and handlers) located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and five U.

S.

Territories including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (subsequently, referred to as states or state agencies).

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) administers the NOCCSP using relevant sections of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and 2 CFR 20 0.

AMS awards NOCCSP funds to eligible State Agencies, which operate as a pass-through system, by accepting and approving their applications so that they can issue reimbursements to organic operations for specific organic certification costs.

In FY 2016, approximately $1 0. 7M is available for NOCCSP.

The FY 2016 Request for Applications outlines the eligibility and performance criteria for State Agencies seeking NOCCSP funds.

Certified organic operations may request reimbursement for specific certification costs incurred from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 201 6.

To receive cost share assistance, certified organic producers and handlers must contact their respective State Department of Agriculture.

Additional guidance is available at:
https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/occsp .