Farm Certification Fees
New Applicant
Repeat Applicant
Reimbursement Program
Certification Fee Refund Policy
New Applicant
Your initial certification fee is based on your projected year’s gross sales from certified organic sugar bush, fields, livestock, on-farm processing, products and facilities. This includes transitionally or conventionally sold product that will be produced on certified or certifiable land.
When Paying Your Fee, Don’t Forget:
- 75% Reimbursement: All applicants that become certified and pay their fee in full by September 30th will qualify for 75% up to $750 of your certification fee.
- Late Fee: For applications postmarked March 16-May 1, the late fee is $75.00. For applications postmarked after May 1, the late fee is $150.00.
Use this chart to determine your fee category.
Use this chart to determine your fee category. Your fee appears in the middle column.
| Gross Sales Less Than: | Certification Fee: | Fee After Reimbursement: |
| 15,000 | $700.00 | $175.00 |
| 25,000 | $750.00 | $187.50 |
| 35,000 | $800.00 | $200.00 |
| 50,000 | $900.00 | $225.00 |
| 65,000 | $1000.00 | $250.00 |
| 80,000 | $1100.00 | $350.00 |
| 100,000 | $1200.00 | $450.00 |
| 125,000 | $1300.00 | $550.00 |
| 150,000 | $1400.00 | $650.00 |
| 175,000 | $1500.00 | $750.00 |
| 200,000 | $1600.00 | $850.00 |
| 225,000 | $1700.00 | $950.00 |
| 250,000 | $1900.00 | $1150.00 |
| 300,000 | $2050.00 | $1300.00 |
| 400,000 | $2200.00 | $1450.00 |
| 500,000 | $2350.00 | $1600.00 |
* Sales over $500,000.00, the fee is $2600, plus an additional ¼ of 1% of sales from certified fields, livestock, facilities and products.
* Certification fees for crop, livestock, wild crop and on-farm processing shall not exceed $5000.00 per year.
Fees are payable at the time of application and can be split into two payments. Second payment must be received by August 1. If any portion of the certification fee remains unpaid after August 1st, a Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued and a $30.00 late fee will be assessed. There are additional fees for late applications.
Repeat Applicant
Your update certification fee is based on your previous year’s gross sales from certified organic sugar bush, fields, livestock, on-farm processing, products and facilities. This includes transitionally or conventionally sold product that was produced on certified or certifiable land.
When Paying Your Fee, Don’t Forget:
- Early Bird Discount: A $25.00 Early Bird Discount will apply to the certification fee of any complete application submitted with full payment postmarked by February 12.
- Late Fee: An application that is postmarked after the February 28, deadline will incur a late fee of $150.00.
Use this chart to determine your fee category. Your fee appears in the middle column.
| Gross Sales Less Than: | Certification Fee: | Fee After Reimbursement: |
| 15,000 | $625.00 | $156.25 |
| 25,000 | $675.00 | $168.75 |
| 35,000 | $725.00 | $181.25 |
| 50,000 | $825.00 | $206.25 |
| 65,000 | $925.00 | $231.25 |
| 80,000 | $1025.00 | $275.00 |
| 100,000 | $1125.00 | $375.00 |
| 125,000 | $1225.00 | $475.00 |
| 150,000 | $1325.00 | $575.00 |
| 175,000 | $1425.00 | $675.00 |
| 200,000 | $1525.00 | $775.00 |
| 225,000 | $1625.00 | $875.00 |
| 250,000 | $1825.00 | $1075.00 |
| 300,000 | $1975.00 | $1225.00 |
| 400,000 | $2125.00 | $1375.00 |
| 500,000 | $2275.00 | $1525.00 |
* Sales over $500,000.00, the fee is $2575, plus an additional ¼ of 1% of sales from certified fields, livestock, facilities and products.
* Certification fees for crop, livestock, wild crop and on-farm processing shall not exceed $5000.00 per year.
Fees are payable at the time of application and can be split into two payments. Second payment must be received by August 1. If any portion of the certification fee remains unpaid after August 1, a Notice of Non-Compliance will be issued and a $30.00 late fee will be assessed. There are additional fees for late applications.
Reimbursement Program
The USDA is providing financial assistance to farmers to help pay their costs for organic certification:
- Payments are currently limited to 75% of an individual producer’s certification costs, up to a maximum of $750.
- Farms who are certified and who have paid in full by September 30 are eligible for reimbursement.
- Funds are being distributed through NYS Ag & Markets, and other state Agricultural Departments.
- Applications will be sent automatically once you have started the certification process.
Certification Fee Refund Policy
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Application fees are refundable in the following instances:
- Withdrawal of Initial Application, following the Initial Office Review and prior to Inspection Visit: If, based upon the initial review of the application, the applicant does not qualify for certification, the certification fee paid less $300 to cover administrative costs associated with establishing records and the file review process will be returned.
- If the applicant chooses not to continue with the certification process prior to the actual inspection visit, the certification fee paid less $300 to cover administrative costs and less any inspector costs incurred, will be refunded to the applicant. The applicant must notify the program, in writing, within 90 days of receipt of application by office.
- Withdrawal of Initial Application, after the completion of the Initial Office Review, and the Inspection Visit: By written request, new applicants may withdraw their application at any time during the certification process. The applicant is liable for the costs of services up to the withdrawal date including: $300 to cover administrative costs, $15.00 to cover OMRI subscription, the costs associated with the inspection of the operation, and other costs associated with the completion of work to date
- All refund requests must be submitted, in writing, within 90 days of the inspection visit. No refunds will be made later than 90 days after the inspection visit.
