The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) is pleased to announce the availability of money for certified organic operations in the state through the National Organic Certification Cost Share Programme (NOCCSP). Designed to alleviate the financial burden of obtaining and maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program, this program provides reimbursements for eligible expenses incurred by farms, ranches, and businesses engaged in the production, processing, or packaging of certified organic agricultural products.
Through the NOCCSP, KDA aims to offer certified organic operators substantial relief by reimbursing 75% of their allowable certification costs, with a maximum reimbursement of $750 per certification scope. Crops, animals, wild crops, and handling (processing) are all covered by certification scopes.
The NOCCSP funding are awarded by the USDA Farm Service Agency to eligible state agencies, such as KDA, who engage directly with organic operations to facilitate the reimbursement process.
Certified organic operators can submit applications for reimbursement to KDA by mail or email. The application period is currently open and will continue until November 1, 2023, or until all funds are exhausted, whichever comes first. Eligible costs incurred between October 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023, will be considered for reimbursement.
KDA's commitment to assisting all agricultural sectors includes assisting those who choose to promote and sell their products as certified organic. For further details about the NOCCSP, interested individuals can reach out to KDA grants coordinator Brittney Grother at Brittney.Grother@ks.gov or 785-564-6797.
The NOCCSP program by the Kansas Department of Agriculture offers financial support to certified organic operators in Kansas, promoting the growth of the organic agriculture industry by defraying certification costs.
Photo Credit: istock-elenathewise
Categories: Kansas, Crops