The application period for this program has closed. Check back in late summer/early fall for updated program information.
Details on this page apply to the past round of funding.
This program makes it more affordable for farmers to work with an organic certifying agency while they transition to organic (typically 36 months, but may be less). We think getting involved with a certifying agency early in the process can improve farmers’ confidence about the transition and help them be more successful when it’s time to apply and be inspected “for real.”
Applications must be postmarked by February 14, 2026.
Who is eligible?
Minnesota residents who are new to organic (nothing already certified) and are in the process of transitioning land or animals on a farm in Minnesota.
You must provide a letter or other document from a USDA-accredited organic certification agency confirming that you are in transition status and that you had a practice on-farm inspection between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025.
If you are certified organic on or before September 30, 2025, you might qualify for the Organic Certification Cost-Share program.
How much is available?
75% of eligible costs paid between January 1 and December 31, with a maximum payment of $750 per year for up to three years or until you are certified, whichever comes first.
Eligible costs
- Certifier costs, such as application, review, or inspection charges
- Soil tests
- Registration fees for up to two people to attend one of the following educational events:
- Minnesota Organic Conference
- Iowa Organic Conference
- Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference
- Northern Plains Sustainable Ag Society Conference
- South Dakota State Organic Conference
How to apply
- Complete the 2025 Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share Application (PDF) (you can print out and fill in by hand or complete online and then print it out.)
- Send the completed application to us along with the following:
- A letter or other document from your certifying agency that verifies you are in transition and had an on-farm practice inspection between 1/1/25 and 12/31/25
- Proof of payment for any costs you are submitting
- Completed IRS Form W-9 (PDF)
- You can apply at any time, but the last date your application can be postmarked is February 14, 2026. We cannot accept emailed or faxed applications. Mail the required items to:
MN Transition to Organic Cost-Share/AMD
625 Robert St N
Saint Paul MN 55155-2538
The information provided as part of the Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share application will be used to assess the applicant’s eligibility to receive payment under the Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share Program and to fulfill applicable financial reporting requirements. Completing this application is voluntary; applicants are not legally required to provide the MDA with the information requested, but only completed applications will be considered. While much of the information applicants provide is classified by Minnesota law as public, some of the information may be classified by law as private or nonpublic at the MDA. Data classified as private or nonpublic will be accessible only to MDA employees and contractors that have a work assignment that requires access to the data, and to other entities authorized by state or federal law to receive the data. The MDA may be obligated to provide the data to law enforcement, the Minnesota Department of Administration, Minnesota Management and Budget, the Office of the State Auditor, or the Office of the Legislative Auditor. Finally, private data about you may be released to third parties through your informed consent, or pursuant to a valid court order or federal subpoena.
Internal Revenue Service Code Section 6109 requires applicants to provide their correct taxpayer identification number to payers who must file information returns with the IRS. The MDA will use the information provided on the applicant’s W-9 form in order to report payments received as part of the Minnesota Transition to Organic Cost-Share Program to the IRS. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of the applicant’s tax return. For more information on how the information provided on a W-9 may be used, refer to the Privacy Act Notice on page 6 of the W-9 form.
