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UPDATE: OCCSP Deadline for State Governments, ODMAP Extension and TOPP Success Story

USDA Agricultural Marketing Service sent this bulletin at 07/27/2023 06:35 PM EDT

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Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Application Due Date
for State Governments:
July 31, 2023

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), requests applications for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program, collectively referred to as the OCCSP, for fiscal year (FY) 2023. OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope. View more information about the grant opportunity at grants.gov.

Producer and handler applications for cost share assistance will be accepted through October 31, 2023. For more information or to apply, they should contact the FSA at their local USDA Service Center.

USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Dairy
Marketing Assistance Until August 11

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is extending the deadline for the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP) to Aug. 11, 2023. This extension gives organic dairy producers more than two additional weeks to apply for the program. ODMAP helps producers mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have created unique hardships in the organic dairy industry. This assistance will help keep organic dairy operations sustainable until markets return to more normal conditions. Organic dairy producers should apply by August 11, 2023 at their local USDA Service Center. Learn more

Southeast TOPP Region and Tuskegee
University Work Hand-in-Hand to Explore Opportunities in Organic

Photo: Representatives from Tuskegee University, Florida Organic Growers, and conference attendees tour the research farm.

Florida Organic Growers (FOG) - the Southeast Regional Lead for the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) - recently teamed up with Tuskegee University at its Annual Farmers Conference held March 28-31 to showcase ways that Tuskegee builds community, provides technical assistance, and is developing a future organic workforce. As a partner in the Southeast TOPP Region, Tuskegee recognized FOG as an organization whose work products and community outreach embody the goals of the USDA program. Tuskegee enthusiastically welcomed FOG to partner on this event and to get the word out about this important program.

The Southeast Regional Lead presented on how USDA is using TOPP to support existing and transitioning organic farmers. Representatives from both FOG and Tuskegee co-led a presentation on the different kinds of products that qualify for USDA organic certification and the audit types conducted, and throughout the day, spent time at the research farm with conference attendees from Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. Registered event participants included more than 560 farmers, ranchers, students, service providers and representatives from private industry, not-for-profits, Extension, and USDA.

The conference also showcased student presentations supported by Tuskegee research and several sessions discussed different aspects of farming including urban agriculture and soil health management practices. The event concluded with a networking session that allowed farmers and service providers to spend time in community with one another.

Florida Organic Growers was grateful for the opportunity to support Tuskegee at their conference and excited to build upon and strengthen the work Tuskegee is doing through the TOPP program.

About the Transition to Organic Partnership Program

The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who will partner with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.

Southeast Regional Lead Florida Organic Growers partners with organizations experienced in the organic industry to provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development for transitioning and existing organic farmers.

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UPDATE: OCCSP Deadline for State Governments, ODMAP Extension and TOPP Success Story

Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Application Due Datefor State Governments: July 31, 2023

USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Until August 11

Southeast TOPP Region and Tuskegee University Work Hand-in-Hand to Explore Opportunities in Organic

Organic Certification Cost Share Programs Application Due Date
for State Governments:
July 31, 2023

USDA Extends Deadline for Organic Dairy
Marketing Assistance Until August 11

Southeast TOPP Region and Tuskegee
University Work Hand-in-Hand to Explore Opportunities in Organic