$20 Million Available to Organic Livestock, Crop Producers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $20 million in pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to livestock and agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.

The funding will be available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) as part of USDA's broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which provides opportunities for farmers, ranchers and producers.

USDA said it expanded support due to loss of markets, increased costs and labor shortages experienced by certified organic and transitional operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Transitional operations also faced the financial challenge of implementing practices required to obtain organic certification without being able to obtain the premium prices normally received for certified organic commodities, the agency noted.

Certified operations and transitional operations may apply for OTECP for eligible expenses paid during the 2020, 2021 and 2022 fiscal years. For each year, OTECP covers 25% of a certified operation's eligible certification expenses, up to $250 per certification category, including livestock.

Crop and livestock operations transitioning to organic production may be eligible for 75% of a transitional operation's eligible expenses, up to $750, for each year.

For both certified operations and transitional operations, OTECP covers 75% of the registration fees, up to $200, per year, for educational events that include content related to organic production and handling in order to assist operations in increasing their knowledge of production and marketing practices that can improve their operations, increase resilience and expand available marketing opportunities.

Signup for 2020 and 2021 OTECP is through Jan. 7. Producers apply through their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office and can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling (877) 508-8364.