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Receive a Refund for your Organic Certification Fees

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program will refund up to 75% of your certification costs per scope of organic certification, with a maximum of $750 per scope. The eligible scopes are crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling. Operations in California also can be reimbursed for 75% of their State Organic Program registration fees up to a maximum of $750. Applications are due by November 1, 2024 in California. Deadlines vary by state so check with the agency to which you are applying. Funds are available on a first come, first paid basis, so get your application in as soon as you have paid your inspection and certification fees for the year. Contact memberservices@ccof.org for support.

Certified organic producers and handlers located in the United States and its territories may apply for reimbursement. Expenses paid between October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, are eligible for reimbursement. Operations with more than one certification scope may be eligible for more than one refund.

Eligible costs for certified organic operations include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement/arrangement requirements, inspector’s travel time, user fees, sales assessments, and postage.

Ineligible costs include equipment, materials, supplies, late fees, inspections to address noncompliance, and transitional certification fees. Other support is available for transitional operations. Click to learn more.

Support for Transitional Operations
    1. Cost Share Application and Payee Data Record Form (STD 204) This year, CDFA has combined these two forms into a single document. CCOF will email you a partially filled out application. Complete boxes 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the application form. Fill in sections 1-5 of the Payee Data Record Form (STD 204). The agency will fill in section 6. Make sure to fill out and sign both forms. 
    2. CCOF Cost Share Summary Prepared for you by CCOF. It will be emailed to all CCOF members in batches.  This document serves as your proof of certified organic status and certification fees paid that are eligible for reimbursement.NOTE: You do not need to wait for CCOF to send your cost share summary! You can access your paid invoices from your MyCCOF account and download your organic certificate from the OID (Organic Integrity Database). If this is the case, you will need to fill out the full Cost Share Application and Payee Data Record Form.

    The application deadline is November 1, 2024.

    Submit applications by email or mail to:

    DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.

    For assistance, email CDFA.ISD_Cost_Share_Program@cdfa.ca.gov or call (916) 900-5202. Additional information can be found at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/organicprogram/costshare.html

    Cost Share Application Checklist

  • Deadlines may vary by state, so double check with the agency.

    DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.

    Find your state cost share contact
  1. Cost Share Application and Payee Data Record Form (STD 204) This year, CDFA has combined these two forms into a single document. CCOF will email you a partially filled out application. Complete boxes 1, 2, 4, and 5 of the application form. Fill in sections 1-5 of the Payee Data Record Form (STD 204). The agency will fill in section 6. Make sure to fill out and sign both forms. 
  2. CCOF Cost Share Summary Prepared for you by CCOF. It will be emailed to all CCOF members in batches.  This document serves as your proof of certified organic status and certification fees paid that are eligible for reimbursement.NOTE: You do not need to wait for CCOF to send your cost share summary! You can access your paid invoices from your MyCCOF account and download your organic certificate from the OID (Organic Integrity Database). If this is the case, you will need to fill out the full Cost Share Application and Payee Data Record Form.

The application deadline is November 1, 2024.

Submit applications by email or mail to:

DO NOT SEND APPLICATIONS TO CCOF.

For assistance, email CDFA.ISD_Cost_Share_Program@cdfa.ca.gov or call (916) 900-5202. Additional information can be found at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/organicprogram/costshare.html

Cost Share Application Checklist