Hawaii Organic Farming Association

Creating a Sustainable Future for Hawaii

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Find Hawaii Organic Products & Producers

The Hawaii Organic Marketplace is the only resource that is organized by island. This helps everyone connect with producers of certified organic crops, livestock, and processed products across the Hawaiian Islands.

Organic Certification Cost Share Program NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABILITY

Deadline for getting your completed application for cost-share funding in to your FSA county office is October 31, 2020.

CHANGES for FY 2020-2023:
For Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 through 2023, FSA is revising the reimbursement amount to 50 percent of the certified organic operation’s eligible expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per scope. This change is due to the limited amount of funding available and will allow a larger number of certified organic operations to receive assistance. If additional funding is authorized at a later time, FSA may provide additional assistance to certified operations that have applied, not to exceed 75% of eligible costs, up to $750 per scope.

View the Organic Certification Cost Share Program Fact Sheet (August 10, 2020)
View the Organic Certification Cost Share Program Fact Sheet (August 10, 2020)

Formerly, eligible certified organic operations could receive reimbursement of 75% of eligible costs, up to a maximum payment of $750 per scope, which is the maximum allowed by law. In FY 2019 and prior years, funds were available to cover all applications; however, the amount of funding available will not cover expected participation levels in FY 2020.

Visit USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) home page

Read the Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) published August 10, 2020 in the Federal Register Vol. 85, No. 154

HAWAII STATE ORGANIC FOODS PRODUCTION TAX CREDIT

To apply for the Organic Foods Production Tax Credit businesses must complete all parts of the Request for Certification of Organic Foods Production Costs form on company letterhead, and return the form to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS MARCH 31 OF THE YEAR IN WHICH QUALIFIED EXPENSES WERE INCURRED BY THE TAXPAYER IN THE PREVIOUS TAXABLE YEAR. 

If the application is approved, HDOA will send a signed N-354 form to the applicant. This form must be attached to the taxpayer’s tax return when it is filed. Applications will be processed on a first come first served basis and will be time stamped upon receipt until the $2,000,000.00 cap is reached.

Organic Foods Production Tax Credit Information

What is HOFA?

hawaii organic farmer

The Hawaii Organic Farming Association is a non-profit organization that provides education about organic farming and sustainability in Hawaii. Our mission is to further organic and sustainable agriculture, land care, and lifestyles in Hawaii, thus giving meaning and life to our state motto: Ua mau ke ea o ka aina I ka pono “The Life of the Land is Perpetuated in Righteousness.”

Learn more about HOFA

Hawaii Organic Farming Association

Hawaii Organic Farming Association
Hawaii Organic Farming Association2 days ago
The USDA is accepting comments on the proposed withdrawal of organic pet food regulations up until June 11, 2025. We urge all pet owners to submit a comment telling the USDA to keep organic pet food regulations in place, please find another rule to meet their requirement of deleting 10 rules. Organic pet food should be regulated as pet food, not livestock feed.

To comment, go to: https://www.regulations.gov/document/AMS-NOP-22-0063-3399 and click on the blue “Comment” button.

When the organic pet food rules were published in December 2024, the USDA explained why the rules were so necessary.

“This rule regulates what organic pet food can contain and how organic claims may be used on pet food.”

“The lack of specific standards for organic pet food has created inconsistency and uncertainty around labeling and composition requirements for organic pet food. Certifiers have used various combinations of the standards for livestock feed and processed products, neither of which are entirely sufficient. The handling standards are appropriate for verifying the processing, handling, product composition, and labeling requirements for multi-ingredient processed agricultural products, but they lack specific allowances for nutrients that are necessary for pets. Conversely, the livestock feed standards include allowances for many of the nutrients that are necessary for pets, but they prohibit common pet food ingredients, such as slaughter by-products.”

https://truthaboutpetfood.com/organic-pet-food-regulations-to-be-cut-due-to-deregulation-initiative/
Hawaii Organic Farming Association
Organic Pet Food Regulations to be Cut Due to Deregulation Initiative
Organic Cat and Dog Food will be regulated “as livestock feed” instead of
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Hawaii Organic Farming Association
Hawaii Organic Farming Association12 months ago
My agricultural friends... the County is planning to tax your property at MARKET rate in 2026 (much higher) unless you submit forms for 1)community food sustainability or 2) Commercial Dedication. (SNAFU The forms to sign up are not yet on the County website yet, nor are the new rules. ) This could affect a huge number of property owners on land zoned agricultural, so heads up! Meeting to discuss will be held July 18 or on zoom.
Hawaii Organic Farming Association
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Hawaii Organic Farming Association
Hawaii Organic Farming Association12 months ago
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) Deadlines Announced: The USDA Farm Services Agency announced deadlines for a new round of funding. County Offices will accept 2024 OCCSP applications May 13, 2024, through October 31, 2024.

Hawaii Organic Farming Association
Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
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Effective August 1, 2011, HOFA no longer provides organic certification services.

Learn More about Organic Certification 

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Hawaii Organic Farming Association (HOFA)
PO Box 999
Captain Cook, HI 96704
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