VDACS Announces Organic Certification Reimbursement Funding for Eligible Growers and Processors

September 28, 2022
VDACS Announces Organic Certification Reimbursement Funding for Eligible Growers and Processors
Reimbursement funding available for 50 percent of organic certification cost
Contact: Michael Wallace

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) will reimburse eligible organic growers and processors for 50 percent of their 2021-2022 organic certification costs. Reimbursement funding is provided by the USDA National Organic Program, which provides funding through the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP).

To be eligible for OCCSP reimbursement, organic growers and processors must successfully complete organic certification from a USDA accredited organic certifying agency between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. Reimbursements are limited to a maximum of $500 per category of certification. OCCSP applications are due to VDACS no later than November 1, 2022. Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until they are depleted.

The OCCSP application is available here. Applications should include a Commonwealth of Virginia W-9 tax form, a current copy of the applicant's organic certificate from an accredited certification agency, and a dated, paid, itemized invoice from the certification agency detailing total cost of services rendered.

Contact Roz Stein, in the VDACS Office of Domestic Marketing and Promotions at 804.786.3951 or at [email protected] for questions about the reimbursement program. General organic production information is available here.

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