The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce offers the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program for Mississippi organic producers and handlers receiving certification or continuation of certification by a USDA accredited certifying agent. Funding for the program will be through fiscal year 2024. Individual organic operators are eligible for reimbursement of 75 percent of their 2024 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024) certification costs up to a maximum of $750 per certification. The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program currently recognizes the following certification scopes eligible for reimbursement: crops, wild crops, livestock and handling (i.e. processing).

To be eligible for reimbursement, applicants must provide proof of certification issued by a USDA accredited certifying agent, a reimbursement form, an itemized invoice for certification-related expenses, a IRS W-9 form and documentation of the payment made. Applicants must be an organic producer and handler located in the Mississippi. Funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis until the funds are depleted. Operations may receive one reimbursement per year. For more information about the cost-share program, contact Susan Lawrence at 601-213-7542 or Susan@mdac.ms.gov.

Reimbursement period: October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024

Application Deadline: October 31, 2024