The deadline for organic agricultural producers to file for 2020 and 2021 pandemic assistance has recently been extended to Feb. 4 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to stakeholders’ requests for additional time to complete the application.
The funds are available to producers that are certified organic or in the process of transitioning to organic, a USDA press release said. The assistance is offered through the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP), which provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The original deadline to apply was Jan. 7.
“We listened to feedback from our stakeholders and are happy to provide organic producers, and those transitioning their operations, enough time to learn about the program and complete the application,” Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said in the release.
OTECP provides 25% of a certified operation’s eligible certification expenses annually, with up to $250 per certification class, the release said. Additionally, agricultural producers transitioning to organic methods may be eligible for 75% of eligible expenses, up to $750 annually.
Both certified and transitional producers are eligible for OTECP coverage of 75%, up to $200 annually, of registration fees for educational events, the release said. Many may also be eligible for 75%, up to $100 annually, of soil testing expenses.
“Producers apply through their local FSA office and can also obtain one-on-one support with applications by calling 877-508-8364,” the release said. “The program application and additional information can be found at farmers.gov/otecp.”
The application deadline for 2022 OTECP assistance will be announced at a later date.
