Rhode Island Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)

RIDEM is no longer a USDA National Organic Program (NOP)-accredited certifying agent as of November 1, 2023. Although DEM will not be certifying organic farms, the Organic Program will continue to support organic operations through technical and financial assistance, including information on organic certification cost-share and other grant programs administered by the RIDEM Division of Agriculture and Forestry to support agricultural operations.

You must already be certified organic, and located in Rhode Island. The application packet is addressed "To: Certified Organic Farms and Handlers in Rhode Island," and states the two tests in bold: "Four categories of certification are eligible for reimbursement including the producer categories of crops, wild crops and livestock, and the handler (or processor) category. Applicants must be certified operations located within the State of Rhode Island."

Individual farmers absolutely can apply — the packet's W-9 lists "Individual" among the business designations, alongside partnership, corporation, trust/estate and government/nonprofit.

The certification test in full, verbatim: "Operations must possess USDA organic certification to be eligible to receive reimbursements. To be eligible, between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, the organic operation must have paid eligible fees/expenses related to its initial or renewal organic certification from a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and the operation must have a valid organic certification under the National Organic Program at the time of application for cost-share reimbursement."

So, three things all have to be true: you paid initial or renewal certification fees inside the program year, the certifier was USDA-accredited, and your NOP certification is still valid when you file. Both producers and handlers/processors qualify — this is one of the few programs where a processor is on equal footing with a farm.

What you must submit: a completed W-9, "ITEMIZED RECEIPT FOR CERTIFICATION-RELATED EXPENSES," receipts for eligible expenses not shown on invoices, and a "PHOTOCOPY OF ORGANIC CERTIFICATE AND PROOF OF CONTINUATION OF CERTIFICATION." Only costs not already reimbursed elsewhere count: "Only eligible costs which have not been reimbursed previously may be requested for reimbursement."

No acreage minimum, income floor or ceiling, years-of-experience requirement, ownership or tenure test, or beginning/veteran/socially-disadvantaged restriction is published. Funds run out rather than being competitively scored: "In the event that demand exceeds the amount of funds allocated by USDA to Rhode Island, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis."

One thing RIDEM no longer does: "RIDEM is no longer a USDA National Organic Program (NOP)-accredited certifying agent as of November 1, 2023." It will reimburse your certification costs, but it will not certify you — use a USDA-accredited certifier.

Two channels are open to you, and you pick one: "Certified organic operations in Rhode Island optionally may apply for USDA organic certification cost share reimbursement instead through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Kent County office."

Caution on dates: the only packet RIDEM has posted covers the 2023-2024 program year and closed October 31, 2024. The eligibility window above is that cycle's. Confirm the current program year's dates and requirements with Matt Green, (401) 537-4273, matt.green@dem.ri.gov, before you file.

Reimbursement of organic certification fees you have already paid, at a published rate: "Payments are limited to 75% (seventy five percent) of an individual producer's or handler's allowable certification costs, up to a maximum of $750 (seven hundred fifty dollars) per certificate or category (scope) of certification, per year."

The $750 cap is per scope, not per farm — "Four categories of certification are eligible for reimbursement including the producer categories of crops, wild crops and livestock, and the handler (or processor) category" — so an operation certified in more than one scope can claim up to $750 for each.

To qualify you must already hold certification: "Operations must possess USDA organic certification to be eligible to receive reimbursements," you must have paid the eligible initial or renewal fees during the program year, and you must hold a valid NOP certification at the time you apply. Applicants must be certified operations located in Rhode Island.

The money is finite: "In the event that demand exceeds the amount of funds allocated by USDA to Rhode Island, applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis."

Paperwork: a completed W-9, itemized receipts for certification-related expenses, and a copy of your organic certificate. Only costs not previously reimbursed are eligible.

You have a choice of channel — Rhode Island operations "optionally may apply for USDA organic certification cost share reimbursement instead through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Kent County office."

Note: these figures come from RIDEM's most recently posted application packet, which covers the 2023-2024 cycle (applications due Oct. 31, 2024). Confirm the current-year cap and deadline with RIDEM — Matt Green, (401) 537-4273, matt.green@dem.ri.gov — before you file.

For additional information, contact Matt Green at the RIDEM Division of Agriculture and Forestry at (401) 537-4273 or matt.green@dem.ri.gov. See the USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Reimbursement Application.