Cost  Share  -­‐  A  Refund  of  Organic  Certification  Fees    The  National  Organic  Certification  Cost  Share  Program  helps  farmers  and  processors  afford  the  expense  of  organic  certification  through  a  once-­‐a  -­‐year  refund.  Eligible  operations  will  be  reimbursed  up  to  75%  of  their  organic  certification  costs,  with  a  maximum  of  $750  for  each  NOP  scope  of  organic  certification.  The  NOP  currently  recognizes  four  scopes  of  certification:  crops,  wild  crops,  livestock,  and  processing/handling.      Any  operation  that  is  located  within  the  United  States  and  received  organic  certification  between  October  1,  2014  and  September  30,  2015  may  apply  for  the  2015  reimbursement.  

 How  to  Get  Organic  Certification  Cost-­‐Share  Funds  in  California*  As  a  service  to  members,  CCOF  provides  all  Cost  Share  forms  and  instructions  in  this  packet.  Please  follow  the  steps  below  carefully;  you  can  use  the  checklist  to  mark  your  progress!    CCOF  recommends  waiting  until  after  your  inspection  to  maximize  your  refund.  If  your  certification  fees  have  already  reached  $1000  per  certification  scope,  you  can  apply  any  time.      o    Read  the  California  Department  of  Food  and  Agriculture  (CDFA)  letter  dated  March  17,  2015.  o    Collect  the  following  documentation:    

o A  copy  of  your  organic  certificate  o Copies  of  all  associated  organic  certification  and  inspection  expense  receipts  o If  you  do  not  have  copies  of  this  documentation,  CCOF  can  assist  you  –  complete  and  return  a  Request  for  

Verification  of  CCOF  Certification  Costs  form.  Allow  14  days  for  CCOF  to  complete  your  request.    o Complete  and  sign  a  CDFA  Federal  Organic  Certification  Cost  Share  Application.  CDFA  must  receive  an  original  signed  

application  –  do  not  photocopy  or  fax.  o    Complete  the  Payee  Data  Record  (STD.  204)  form.  Make  sure  the  name  on  this  form  matches  the  name  on  the  Cost  

Share  application.    o Send  your  completed,  signed  application  to  CDFA  with  all  supporting  documentation:  your  organic  certificate,  proof  

of  fees  paid  for  organic  certification  and  inspection,  and  your  Payee  Data  Record  (STD.  204).    o Note:  Applications  are  approved  on  a  “first  received  and  complete,  first  approved”  basis.  Incomplete  

applications  will  be  returned  and  your  place  in  line  will  be  lost.  DO  NOT  SEND  APPLICATIONS  TO  CCOF.    o Mail  applications  to:  

    Department  of  Food  and  Agriculture       Organic  Cost  Share  Program    

ATTN:  Sharon  Parsons  1220  N  Street  

    Sacramento,  CA  95814    Application  Postmark  Deadline  for  2015:  October  31,  2015    

For  assistance,  contact  Sharon  Parsons  at  sparsons@cdfa.ca.gov  or  (916)  900-­‐5202.    Eligible  certification  fees  include:    

� New  applicant  fees  � Annual  certification  fees  � Inspection  costs  � Global  Market  Access  Fees  

 *For  information  on  how  to  apply  for  cost-­‐share  reimbursement  in  other  states,  find  your  state’s  cost-­‐share  contact  at  www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5107877  and  ask  about  application  procedures  and  deadlines  in  your  state.      

Why  is  Cost  Share  Important?  Historically,  farm  bill  funding  has  not  been  as  generous  to  organic  producers  as  it  has  for  conventional.  Cost  share  is  one  of  the  few  programs  offered  specifically  to  support  organic  producers.  The  new  farm  bill  passed  in  February  2014  reinstated  the  program  in  all  50  states  for  a  total  of  almost  $13  million  per  year.  Utilizing  all  available  funds  each  year  will  demonstrate  a  need  for  this  program  and  encourage  Congress  to  continue  funding  it.    CCOF  strongly  encourages  all  organic  farmers,  livestock  operations,  and  handlers  to  take  advantage  of  these  funds.  If  the  organic  industry  can  utilize  all  funds  offered  through  the  Organic  Certification  Cost  Share  Program,  it  will  succeed  in  demonstrating  a  need  for  this  funding.  If  the  total  allocation  of  funds  is  not  used  by  the  end  of  the  program,  cost-­‐share  appropriations  will  likely  be  reduced  during  the  next  round  of  farm  bill  negotiations.  Whether  your  operation  needs  the  funds  or  not,  applying  helps  ensure  future  funding  and  program  availability  for  small  businesses  trying  to  succeed  in  the  organic  marketplace.      Visit  www.ccof.org/financialassistance  for  more  information!          

Request for Verification of CCOF Certification Costs CCOF wants to make sure you receive your certification cost-share funds. All Cost-Share applications must include verification of certification and the fees paid. If you have copies of paid invoices and your organic certificate, you do not need to complete this form. Good luck and thank you for your support of CCOF. ► To request your payment history from CCOF, please complete this form and submit it to CCOF by email:

ccof@ccof.org, fax: 831-423-4528, or mail: 2155 Delaware Ave., Suite 150, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.► CCOF will complete and return this request within 14 days.► Include the forms sent back to you when you send your Cost-Share application to your state.

IMPORTANT: • To receive certification cost-share funds you must complete the applicable forms required by

your state and submit them directly to the state. • CDFA application forms and links to other state certification cost-share information are available

from CCOF at: www.ccof.org/financialassistance Cost-share is available through the Farm Bill’s National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program.

Contact your elected representatives and ask them to support continued funding for organic cost-share!

CCOF Client Information:

Operation Name: Client Code: Your Name:

Return to me by: (SELECT ONE) Specify details

Email:

Fax:

Mail:

Do you need a full set of blank CA Certification Cost-Share forms returned to you? Yes, I need a copy of the CA Cost-Share forms No, I already have these forms or I am not located in CA.

CCOF USE ONLY. Certification and Cost Verification:

Total Fees Paid for All CCOF Certification Services under the NOP*: New Applicant fee: Annual Certification fees:

Inspection costs: Other eligible fees: *Does not include fees paid for finance charges, CCOF’s International Standard Program, or any otherunallowable costs set forth by the NOP.

This operation is currently certified by CCOF under the USDA NOP 7 CFR Part 205. Issue Date of Certification: Scope(s): Grower Handler Livestock Wild Crop

Date CCOF Representative Signature Name Z:\CCOF Certification Services\Certification Cost Share Resources\CCOF Request for Verification of Costs.doc 2015

Inspection & Compliance Branch ● 1220 N Street ● Sacramento, California 95814 State of California

Telephone: 916.900-5030 ● Fax: 916.900.5347 ● www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor

March 17, 2015

TO: ALL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONERS

ACCREDITED CERTIFYING AGENTS OPERATING IN CALIFORNIA

ALL CALIFORNIA ORGANIC REGISTRANTS

RE: NATIONAL ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE PROGRAM

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) is providing funds to

assist with the cost of organic certification under the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program.

Accordingly, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will be distributing reimbursement to

operations that have been certified by a USDA accredited certifying agent.

The NOP currently recognizes four scopes of certification: crops, wild crops, livestock, and

processing/handling. Operations may receive one reimbursement per year per applicable certification scope

and operation type. Eligible entities will be reimbursed up to 75 percent of their organic certification costs,

not to exceed $750 per category. Any organic operation in California that has received or renewed organic

certification on or between October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015 may apply for reimbursement.

Applications must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2015. There will be no exceptions.

In order to receive reimbursement, applicants must submit a completed Federal Organic Cost Share

Application (ORG-106), a copy of your certification, copies of associated paid expense invoices required

to obtain and/or maintain certification, and a completed Payee Data Record Form (STD 204).

Cost Share applications will be processed on a first come, first serve basis. Incomplete or inaccurate

applications will be returned and must be resubmitted. Please review the Instructions page before completing

the application. Submit completed applications to:

Department of Food and Agriculture

Organic Cost Share Program

ATTN: Sharon Parsons

1220 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Electronic copies of this letter and supporting material can be found at the following Internet address:

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/organic.html under Cost Share Application. For additional information,

please contact Sharon Parsons at (916) 900-5202 or by e-mail at sparsons@cdfa.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Sharon Parsons

Program Coordinator

California Organic Cost Share Program

Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application (ORG-106) Instructions

California Department of Food and Agriculture Organic Registration Number: Enter the 8 digit number assigned by CDFA

on your registration certificate. (00-000000)

Are you registered with the California Department of Public Health? If yes, enter the registration number assigned by

CDPH on your registration certificate. If not, check NO.

Company Information

Payee Name Box: Enter the name of the company or the name of the individual that the check will be made payable to. Please

note Payee Name must match Payee’s Legal Business Name on the STD. 204 Payee Data Record.

NOTE: On the STD. 204, if your name or sole proprietor business name is entered in the Payee’s Legal Business Name box,

and your name is in the Sole Proprietor box, then enter your social security number. All others should enter the Federal

Employer Identification Number. See STD. 204 instructions for box 3.

Company Name Box: Enter name of your company. If you entered your name as the Payee in the Payee Name box then enter

your Company name. If you do not have a company name but use your own name as the business name then enter your name.

Mailing Address Box: Enter the address where you would like your check mailed. Must match STD. 204 Mailing Address box.

Primary County of Operation Box: Enter the county in which you are Registered Organic.

Primary Phone Number Box: Enter the phone number where you can be reached for any questions.

Alternate Phone Number: Enter the alternate number where you can be reached, or enter N/A.

Fax Number: Enter the fax number that we can use to communicate with you, or enter N/A.

E-mail Address Box: Enter the e-mail that you can be reached at for any questions.

Certification Information

Name of Certification Agency: Enter the name of your third party certifier.

Certification Number/Client Code: Enter the certificate number from your certifier’s certificate of compliance.

Current date of Certification/Certificate Issued: For renewals: Enter the current issue date on your certificate, not the

original date that you obtained certification. For new: Enter the date that you obtained certification.

Application Fee: Enter the fee paid if you are a NEW applicant for certification only, otherwise enter $0.

Annual Certification/Recertification Fee: Enter the fees paid for your annual certification fee.

Inspection Fee: Enter the costs incurred for your annual inspection.

Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification: Enter the total of your application fee, annual fee and inspection fee.

(See enclosed Acceptable/Unacceptable Organic Cost Share Application Fees for information on what fees can be

reimbursed)

Scope of Certification: Check the appropriate box(es) that apply to your scope(s) of certification.

Operation Types for this Certification: Check the appropriate box(es) that apply to your operation(s).

(Post Harvest Handling is considered the same as Handling and is acceptable as a scope of work.)

Signature: The application must be signed. The owner or a representative of the company must sign and will be responsible to

ensure that the information on the application is true and correct.

Date: Enter the date that the application was completed.

State of California Organic Program SAMPLE APPLICATION

ORG-106 (Rev. 3/15)

2014/2015

California Department of Food and Agriculture Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application

To be eligible for reimbursement the operation must have received or renewed organic certification on or between October 1, 2014

and September 30, 2015. The amount of reimbursement is 75% of certification costs (maximum of $750) per scope of activity.

NOTE: You must send a copy of your certificate, billing, proof of payment and Payee Data Record with your application. This

application must be signed. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2015. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

California Department of Food and Agriculture Organic Registration Number: _Reg # on your CDFA Certificate_ Are you registered with the Department of Public Health? Yes ___ No____ Registration #_on your CDPH certificate

COMPANY INFORMATION

Payee Name (Check will be payable to or DBA) –no more than 1 name

John Doe or John Doe Organics Farms or/ John Doe Incorporated

Company Name

Company name or name used as DBA

Mailing Address (Check to be mailed to)

1234 Agriculture Way – same address as on STD. 204 form

City

Anywhere –same address as on STD. 204 form

State

CA

Zip Code

00000

Primary County of Operation

Sacramento

Primary Phone Number

Daytime Contact Number

Alternate Phone Number

Cell Number or other contact number

Fax Number

If Available

E-mail Address

If Available

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Name of Certification Agency

Name of 3rd

party certifier

Certification Number/Client Code

Number on your actual Certificate

Last Name

Current Date of Certification

Date of certificate renewal (date issued for this

period)

Application Fee (New Certifications

for this Period Only)

$ If $0 please indicate

Annual Certification/Recertification Fee Paid

$ Cost of fees paid for certification not

including inspection fees

Inspection Fees Paid

$ Fees paid for inspection, travel costs, etc

Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification

$ Total of new application fees, annual fees and inspection fees

Scope of Certification (Please check all that apply) Scope(s) indicated on certificate

Crops Wild Crops Livestock Processing/Handling

Operation Types for this Certification (Check all that apply) Operation Type(s) indicated on certificate

Producer Handler Processor Retailer

SIGNATURE

Certification By Registrant:

I certify that the above information is true and correct, and the operation stated above received organic certification or renewal on or between

October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015.

Penalty for knowingly making false statements or false entries, or attempts to secure money through fraudulent means, may include fines

and/or incarceration and/or forfeiture of agriculture assistance funds under applicable federal and state law.

___Must be signed________________________________________ Date _____/_____/_____ current date

Certified Operations Signature month day year

Mail Application and Supporting Documents To:

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Organic Program

Cost Share Reimbursement

Attn: Sharon Parsons

1220 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

For Official Use Only

Organic ID/Batch Number

Total Reimbursable Amount

$

75% = $ $750 $1,500

$2,250 $3,000

Approved By Date

State of California Organic Program

ORG-106 (Rev. 3/15)

2014/2015

California Department of Food and Agriculture Federal Organic Certification Cost Share Application

To be eligible for reimbursement the operation must have received or renewed organic certification on or between October 1, 2014

and September 30, 2015. The amount of reimbursement is 75% of certification costs (maximum of $750) per scope of activity.

NOTE: You must send a copy of your certificate, billing, proof of payment and Payee Data Record with your application. This

application must be signed. Applications must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2015. (NO EXCEPTIONS)

California Department of Food and Agriculture Organic Registration Number: ____________________ Are you registered with the Department of Public Health? Yes ____ No____ Registration #______________

COMPANY INFORMATION

Payee Name (Check will be payable to or DBA) Company Name

Mailing Address (Check to be mailed to)

City State Zip Code Primary County of Operation

Primary Phone Number Alternate Phone Number

Fax Number E-mail Address

CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Name of Certification Agency

Certification Number/Client Code

Last Name

Current Date of Certification/Certificate Issued

Application Fee (New Certifications for

this Period Only)

$

Annual Certification/Recertification Fee Paid

$

Inspection Fees Paid

$

Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification

$

Scope of Certification (Please check all that apply)

Crops Wild Crops Livestock Processing/Handling

Operation Types for this Certification (Check all that apply)

Producer Handler Processor Retailer

SIGNATURE

Certification By Registrant:

I certify that the above information is true and correct, and the operation stated above received organic certification or renewal on or between

October 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015.

Penalty for knowingly making false statements or false entries, or attempts to secure money through fraudulent means, may include fines

and/or incarceration and/or forfeiture of agriculture assistance funds under applicable federal and state law.

___________________________________________ Date _____/_____/_____

Certified Operations Signature month day year

Mail Application and Supporting Documents To:

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Organic Program

Cost Share Reimbursement

Attn: Sharon Parsons

1220 N Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

For Official Use Only

Organic ID/Batch Number

Total Reimbursable Amount

$

75% = $ $750 $1,500

$2,250 $3,000

Approved By Date