FSA extends deadline for certified organic ag operations to apply for pandemic support

from U.S. Department of Agriculture

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program.

The program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 eligible expenses is now Feb. 4, 2022, rather than the original deadline of Jan. 7, 2022.

“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 Administrator Zach Ducheneaux said.

Signup for OTECP, administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, began Nov. 8.