USDA Tweaks Paperwork for Organic Farmers' Cost-Share Program
Published Date: 12/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency is updating how it collects info for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program, which helps farmers and handlers pay for organic certification. They’re asking for public feedback by March 2, 2026, before finalizing changes. This program has $10 million yearly funding through 2031, making it easier and cheaper for organic producers to keep their certification.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Organic Certification Cost-Share Funding
If you are an organic producer or handler, the Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides national funding of $10,000,000 per fiscal year for 2025 through 2031 to help pay for organic certification. An additional $1,000,000 in Agricultural Management Assistance funding is available each fiscal year to further support certification costs.
Application Forms and Time Burden
To get cost-share payments you must submit an application and itemized invoices for certification costs, and depending on the route, a W-9 (if through State Agencies) or AD-2047 and SF-3881 (if through an FSA county office). The agency estimates 12,030 respondents, 44,790 total annual responses, an average of 0.6482 hours per response, and 29,031 total annual burden hours.
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