USDA Organic Cost Share Program Information
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program. Certified operations may receive up to 50 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $500 per certification scope (crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling).
The Montana Department of Agriculture administers the OCCSP and funds are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis. OCCSP applications are due by October 31 st each year. Late applications will not be considered.
Organic Cost Share Forms
Below are the forms that are required for all OCCSP applications.
Supporting Documentation for OCCSP
Supporting documentation must be submitted with your application so that payments can be issued. Applications submitted without the supporting documentation will be considered incomplete.
Supporting documentation includes:
A W-9 is used to verify the applicants tax ID or social security number. Please note that W-9 forms cannot be submitted by email because they contain sensitive information. Completed W-9 forms should be sent by mail or sent electronically using the secure Montana State File Transfer Service . Any W-9 form submitted via email will be rejected by the State of Montana email system.
If you are certified through an agency other than MTDA please also include:
- Invoices or Receipts itemizing certification costs
- Notice of Certification or Certificate
Submitting Your OSSCP Application Package
Please submit your completed OSSCP application package to: OrganicCostShare@mt.gov
National Organic Program Code of Federal Regulations
Montana Rules & Code: Organic Program
Contacts