Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 23 NOFO0001307
The Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (OCCSP) opportunity is a USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) grant competition for fiscal year 2023 that funds state-level administration of organic certification reimbursements. It combines two related programs: the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The overall goal is straightforward: reduce the financial burden on farms and organic businesses that are either getting certified organic for the first time or paying ongoing expenses to keep their certification active.
Funding is provided by FSA to eligible State Agencies, which then run the reimbursement program for organic operations within their jurisdictions. For FY 2023, the funding available is approximately $10 million for NOCCSP and about $943,000 for AMA. The grant is categorized as discretionary, uses a grant funding instrument, and falls under the agriculture activity area (CFDA 10.171). Eligibility to apply at the federal level is limited to state governments, with "State Agencies" defined broadly to include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands. In other words, individual farmers and organic businesses do not apply directly to USDA under this notice; they typically apply to their state or territorial program once the state receives and administers funds.
The money is intended specifically to reimburse certain organic certification costs. Under the program rules described in the notice, State Agencies may reimburse certified organic operations for 75% of allowable certification expenses, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope. The scopes called out include crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (processing), and the program also allows reimbursement for State Organic Program fees where applicable. This structure matters because an operation with multiple scopes (for example, crops and handling) may be eligible for separate caps by scope, depending on how the state administers the reimbursement consistent with federal guidance.
The notice also sets a clear timeframe for which expenses can be reimbursed. Certification costs must have been incurred between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023. Organic operations can request reimbursement from their State Agency until November 1, 2023, unless the State Agency requests and receives approval to use a different deadline. This is important for planning because it ties reimbursement eligibility to both the date costs were incurred and the state-level submission window.
From an administrative standpoint, this posting is described as the initial request for applications from State Agencies and lays out eligibility and performance criteria for states seeking either NOCCSP or AMA funding for FY 2023. The federal opportunity details list a creation date of May 31, 2023, and an original closing date for state applications of July 31, 2023. The anticipated number of awards is around 30, and the listed award ceiling is $1,797,250, indicating that individual state awards can vary and may be sizable depending on factors such as program demand and allocations.
In practical terms, the opportunity is designed to keep organic certification accessible by offsetting a significant portion of fees paid to certifiers and related program costs. USDA provides the money, State Agencies serve as the pass-through administrators, and certified organic producers and handlers receive reimbursements for a defined share of eligible expenses, subject to the 75% rate and the $750 per-scope cap.Apply for USDA FSA SND NOCCSP 23 NOFO0001307
- The Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Organic Certification Cost Share Programs" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.171.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 31, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,797,250.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (OCCSP) opportunity?
The Organic Certification Cost Share Programs (OCCSP) opportunity is a USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) grant competition for fiscal year (FY) 2023 that funds state-level administration of organic certification reimbursement programs. The goal is to reduce the financial burden of organic certification for farms and organic businesses by reimbursing a share of eligible certification expenses.
Which programs are included under OCCSP for FY 2023?
This opportunity combines two related programs: the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program.
What is the purpose of the OCCSP funding?
The funding is intended to help make organic certification more accessible by reimbursing certain organic certification costs for operations that are newly certified organic or paying ongoing costs to maintain their certification.
Who applies to USDA for this grant opportunity?
Only eligible State Agencies apply to USDA under this notice. Individual farmers and organic businesses do not apply directly to USDA for this funding under the OCCSP state-level grant competition.
Who is eligible at the federal level to apply as a "State Agency"?
Eligibility is limited to state governments, with "State Agencies" defined broadly to include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories: Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands.
How do farmers and organic businesses receive benefits from this program if they do not apply to USDA?
USDA (FSA) provides funding to eligible State Agencies. Those State Agencies then run the reimbursement program within their jurisdictions. Certified organic operations typically apply for reimbursement through their state or territorial program once the state receives and administers the funds.
How much funding is available under OCCSP for FY 2023?
For FY 2023, the notice lists approximately $10 million available for NOCCSP and about $943,000 available for AMA.
What type of funding opportunity is this (grant type and category)?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary, uses a grant funding instrument, and falls under the agriculture activity area with CFDA 10.171.
What does the OCCSP reimburse, in general terms?
The program is designed to reimburse certain allowable organic certification expenses, including costs associated with organic certification and, where applicable, State Organic Program fees.
What percentage of eligible certification expenses can be reimbursed?
State Agencies may reimburse certified organic operations for 75% of allowable certification expenses, subject to the cap described in the notice.
Is there a maximum reimbursement amount?
Yes. Reimbursement is capped at a maximum of $750 per certification scope.
What are the certification scopes referenced in the notice?
The scopes called out include crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling (processing).
How does the per-scope cap work for operations with more than one scope?
The structure matters because an operation with multiple scopes (for example, crops and handling) may be eligible for separate caps by scope, depending on how the state administers reimbursements consistent with federal guidance.
Are State Organic Program fees included as reimbursable costs?
Yes. The program allows reimbursement for State Organic Program fees where applicable, as described in the notice.
What is the eligible timeframe for certification costs to be reimbursed?
Certification costs must have been incurred between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023 to be eligible under the timeframe stated in the notice.
By when must organic operations request reimbursement from their State Agency?
Organic operations can request reimbursement from their State Agency until November 1, 2023, unless the State Agency requests and receives approval to use a different deadline.
Can a State Agency use a different deadline for reimbursement requests?
Yes. The notice states the deadline is November 1, 2023 unless the State Agency requests and receives approval to use a different deadline.
What is the application timeline for State Agencies applying to USDA under this notice?
The federal opportunity details list a creation date of May 31, 2023 and an original closing date for State Agency applications of July 31, 2023.
How many awards does USDA expect to make?
The anticipated number of awards is around 30, according to the opportunity details provided.
What is the maximum award amount for a State Agency under this opportunity?
The listed award ceiling is $1,797,250, indicating that individual State Agency awards can vary and may be sizable.
Why might award sizes vary among states or territories?
The notice indicates awards can vary and suggests this may depend on factors such as program demand and allocations.
What is meant by "state-level administration" in this context?
In this program design, USDA provides the funding to State Agencies, and the State Agencies serve as pass-through administrators that operate the reimbursement process for organic operations within their jurisdictions.
Who ultimately receives the reimbursements?
Certified organic producers and handlers (organic operations) receive reimbursements for a defined share of eligible expenses, subject to the 75% reimbursement rate and the $750 per-scope cap, as administered by their State Agency.
What is the overall goal of OCCSP in practical terms?
In practical terms, OCCSP is designed to keep organic certification accessible by offsetting a significant portion of eligible certification fees and related allowable program costs.
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