Organic certification for field crops : a guide

              To sell, label, or represent their products as “ organic,” growers and processors who sell organic products valued at $ 5,000 or more a year must be certified by a certi­fying
agent accredited by the U. S. Depart­ment
of Agriculture ( USDA). The National Organic Program Final Rule ( NOPFR) spells out requirements for organic crop and livestock production, handling, certi­fication,
and recordkeeping. ( The NOPFR and other related documents are available on the Web at www. ams. usda. gov/ nop/.)
Organic Certification: An Overview
Because all certifiers must follow USDA requirements, the organic certification pro­cess
is similar across certifiers. The farmer- applicant, the certifying agent, and the inspector must complete specific steps.
The farmer. A farmer seeking certification must do the following:
1. Comply with the federal standards for organic production ( Table 1).
2. Choose a certifier.
3. Complete an Organic Farm ( or System) Plan, which is also considered the ap­plication
for certification. The Organic Farm Plan must describe all relevant aspects of the operation, include farm maps, and document a three- year field history for crops planted and inputs applied. ( See Recordkeeping Require­ments
on page 2 for more details.)
4. Submit the completed Organic Farm Plan as the application with certifica­tion
fees and other required documents to the certification agency.
The certifying agent
1. Reviews the Organic Farm Plan and ac­companying
documentation to ensure completeness and determine whether the applicant appears to comply or has the ability to comply.
2. Verifies information regarding any pre­vious
certifications, notification of non­compliance,
or denials of certification.
3. Arranges an on- site inspection of the farm, the next step toward certification. The certifying agent assigns an organic inspector who calls the applicant to set up an appointment. The inspection may take 3 to 6 hours, depending on the complexity of the operation.
The inspector
1. Verifies information from the Organic Farm Plan. To accomplish this, he or she inspects fields, farm buildings, and equipment; assesses contamination risks; fills out an onsite inspection re­port;
and gathers as much information as needed for the certifying agent to de­termine
if the operation complies with federal standards.
2. Evaluates crop health and growth, soil tilth, the fertility management program, pest and weed management strategies, seed sources, adjoining land uses, and the applicant’s understanding of and commitment to compliance.
3. Reviews records to ensure monitoring and compliance. The inspector may be
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This guide provides an overview of the organic certification process for farmers who produce field crops. It includes sample forms that illus­trate
the kinds of records a farm must maintain for certification, and it provides tips for selecting a certifying agent.
for Field Crops:
Organic Certification
a Guide