On Monday, July 6, 2026, USDA published rulemaking that releases organic cost share funds for the 2025 and 2026 calendar years. This means that producers will begin receiving payments in the next several months. Read the full rule here.
FSA has also moved the deadline to apply to December 31st of each year. However, there are limited funds and FSA has noted in the rulemaking that funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.
What does this mean for producers?
For Maine producers: no action is needed at this time unless you have become certified since the beginning of January 2025. If you haven’t done so already, you will need to submit a W9 to the state, email preferred, at:
Debbie Davis, Division Of Animal and Plant Health
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
28 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0028
MCS has already submitted 2025 reimbursement requests on behalf of Maine-based certified producers who are eligible for the 2025 cost share, and we will work with the department to provide them with 2026 information for Maine-based MOFGA certified producers.
For producers located in New Hampshire or Massachusetts: you need to contact your local FSA office to apply for the funds, either in-person or electronically. To find your local FSA office, use the FSA Office Locator tool found here.
SUMMARY:
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) provides funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) for fiscal years 2025 through 2031, and, as a result, the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) is issuing this rule to establish OCCSP for 2025 and future program years. The rule specifies the eligibility criteria and payment calculation for OCCSP, which are consistent with how CCC has administered OCCSP in previous years by Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs). Prior NOFAs also established the opportunity for State agencies to enter into agreements to administer OCCSP; these provisions are also included in this rule. The rule also establishes the application process and deadlines for eligible producers and handlers who apply through FSA county offices.
DATES:
This rule is effective on July 6, 2026.
Producer and Handler Applications: FSA county offices will accept applications for OCCSP payments from producers and handlers for the 2025 and 2026 program years until December 31, 2026. For 2027 and subsequent program years, producers and handlers may submit applications to FSA county offices from the beginning of the application period, which will be announced through a press release and on the OCCSP website, through December 31 following the end of the program year. That means, for example, that for the 2027 program year, producers have until December 31, 2028, to submit an application for payment under OCCSP. Producers and handlers who apply through a participating State agency should refer to the State agency for application period beginning and ending dates.
Please contact the MCS office if you have any questions or require additional documentation related to payment of fees, certification@mofga.org or 207-568-6030.
