Description

As an advisor to organic farmers, it is important for you to have a solid understanding of the process that farmers go through to become certified. In this lesson, we describe the certification process, including the main steps that every organic farmer takes to get their certificate.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the steps to organic certification

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Content Notes

The Certification Process

1) Introduction to Certification

• Organic certification is a structured and standardized process managed by the USDA National Organic Program.
• Certification typically follows eight main steps, from initial considerations to receiving the official certificate.

2) Finding a Certifier

• There are over 50 USDA-accredited organic certifiers in the U.S., with more internationally.
• Certifiers specialize in different areas (e.g., grains, produce).

Tip: Use the Organic Integrity Database to find certifiers in your region and see which ones your neighboring farms use, as this helps in mentoring and familiarity with the process.

3) Application Process

• Once a certifier is chosen, their application forms are available on their website.
• The application involves submitting your Organic System Plan (OSP), farm details, and land history.
• Each certifier sets their own fees, but costs are generally consistent across certifiers.

4) Land Eligibility

• Land must be free from prohibited substances for 36 months to qualify for organic certification.
• Certification is granted per parcel of land, not the whole farm. This allows for gradual transition, enabling you to have both organic and conventional fields as long as they are managed separately.
• Land history must include details of substances applied over the past three years, verified by an affidavit.

5) The Organic System Plan (OSP)

• The OSP outlines every aspect of farm management, from crop practices to soil health.
• It’s the core document that certifiers use to assess if your operation is ready for certification.
• Consult your certifier for help if parts of the OSP are unclear.

6) Initial Review by Certifier

• After the OSP is submitted, the certifier reviews your application for compliance with organic regulations.
• Any questions or clarifications will be addressed before scheduling an inspection.

7) Inspection

• A certified inspector visits your farm to verify that your practices match what's described in the OSP.
• Inspectors don’t make certification decisions; they document their findings for the certifier to review.

8) Final Review

• The certifier reviews the inspection report and determines whether your operation meets organic standards.
• If approved, certification is granted.

Certificate Issuance and Ongoing Compliance

• Once certified, you must update the OSP with any operational changes and undergo annual inspections to maintain certification.
• Certification allows you to market and sell your products as organic.

Annual review: Organic farms must undergo yearly inspections to retain certification status.

Dig Deeper

Organic Integrity Database - https://organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/

Sources and References

"§ 205.201 Organic Production and Handling System Plan." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-C/section-205.201

"§ 205.202 Land Requirements." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-C/section-205.202

"§ 205.400 General Requirements for Certification." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.400

"§ 205.401 Application for Certification." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.401

"§ 205.402 Review of Application." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.402

"§ 205.403 On-Site Inspections." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.403

"§ 205.404 Granting Certification." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.404

"§ 205.406 Continuation of Certification." Code of Federal Regulations, https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-7/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-M/part-205/subpart-E/section-205.406

MOSA - Midwest Organic Services Association, https://mosaorganic.org/

OnMark Farm Focused Certification Agency, https://www.onmarkcertification.com/

Organic Program, Montana Department of Agriculture, https://agr.mt.gov/Organic-Program