USDA Announces
Organic Market Development Grants and Cost Share Funding
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking additional steps as part of its commitment to strengthen the market for domestically grown organic goods, and to support producers seeking organic certification. These funding opportunities are part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Organic Transition Initiative, launched in fall 2022, which is a suite of offerings to help existing organic farmers and those transitioning to organic production and processing.
“As USDA works to help make our nation’s food system more resilient and create more options for producers and consumers, we recognize the important role the organic industry can play in expanding opportunities for value-added agriculture, strengthening supply chains and generating revenue for farmers,” Vilsack said. “For many farmers, the transition period before attaining organic certification can be cost-prohibitive, so USDA is also helping mitigate the risk involved for farmers who want to be able to grow and market organic crops.”
New Steps to Enhance Organic Markets
and Support Producers
New Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG)
AMS will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants to non-profit organizations, tribal governments, and state and local government entities to fund projects designed to expand and improve markets for domestically produced organic products. OMDG is intended to increase the consumption of domestic agricultural commodities by aiding in the expansion of markets or development of new markets, marketing facilities, and uses for such commodities.
AMS is accepting applications for the program through www.grants.gov now through 11:59 p.m. ET July 10, 2023.
Organic Cost Share Now Open for 2023
This year the Farm Service Agency increased the cost share amount under the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). FSA will cover up to 75% of costs associated with organic certification, up to $750 for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees (California only). OCCSP will cover costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023.
FSA begins accepting applications for OCCSP Monday, May 15. Applications are due Oct. 31, 2023. To apply, producers and handlers should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center. FSA is also accepting applications from state departments of agriculture to administer OCCSP.
Other USDA Organic Assistance
OMDG and the increased cost share build on several other programs offered under USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative, which range from conservation assistance to improved crop insurance options.
More information about these initiatives and more can be found at farmers.gov/organic-transition-initiative.
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Webinar on Preventative Healthcare
in Organic Dairy Production
June 6, 2023 at 3:00 pm Eastern
Join USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a webinar discussing organic approaches to healthcare in dairy production. While conventional dairy systems have access to a range of antibiotics and parasiticides for healthcare options, organic systems are more limited in what can be used to treat health problems. This webinar will cover National Organic Program regulations related to dairy production, typical health problems and alternative approaches, and how healthy systems are created to prevent issues from arising, through building soil health and more.
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