Cost Share - A Refund of Organic Certification Fees

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

March 17, 2015 TO: RE: ALL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONERS ACCREDITED CERTIFYING AGENTS OPERATING IN CALIFORNIA ALL CALIFORNIA ORGANIC REGISTRANTS 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 Inspection & Compliance Branch 1220 N Street Sacramento, California 95814 Telephone: 916.900-5030 Fax: 916.900.5347 www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ State of California Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor

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 ORG-106 (Rev. 3/15) 2014/2015 SAMPLE APPLICATION 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 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 Primary Phone Number Daytime Contact Number Fax Number If Available CERTIFICATION INFORMATION Name of Certification Agency Name of 3 rd party certifier Current Date of Certification Date of certificate renewal (date issued for this period) Inspection Fees Paid Fees paid for inspection, travel costs, etc State CA Company Name Company name or name used as DBA Zip Code 00000 Alternate Phone Number Cell Number or other contact number E-mail Address If Available Primary County of Operation Sacramento Certification Number/Client Code Number on your actual Certificate Application Fee (New Certifications Annual Certification/Recertification Fee Paid for this Period Only) If 0 please indicate Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification Scope of Certification (Please check all that apply) Scope(s) indicated on certificate Cost of fees paid for certification not including inspection fees Total of new application fees, annual fees and inspection fees 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 75% = Approved By Total Reimbursable Amount 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 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 Fax Number Alternate Phone Number E-mail Address CERTIFICATION INFORMATION Name of Certification Agency Certification Number/Client Code Current Date of Certification/Certificate Issued Inspection Fees Paid Scope of Certification (Please check all that apply) Application Fee (New Certifications for this Period Only) Total Amount of Fees Paid for Certification Annual Certification/Recertification Fee Paid 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 75% = Approved By Total Reimbursable Amount 750 1,500 2,250 3,000 Date