Organic Certification

What is required to become certified organic? 

You will find more detailed answers to this question in the below resource USDA Guide for Organic Production but first and foremost, your land must be free of any disallowed inputs for a minimum of 36 months.  The 36 months leading up to the "Organic Certification" are what are called "transitional".   

What cost are involved (both initial and ongoing)?  

Organic certification costs vary and are often on a sliding scale, based on the size of the operation. Total fees range from a few hundred for small, simple operations to several thousand dollars for larger, more complex operations. The cost will vary some between certifying agencies.  It is usually based on the type of operation you have and acres.  Processors are usually more than a simple crop production operation.  Each certifying agency has its own fee schedule so you will need to find an agency you can work with. Typically there is an annual fee but a significant portion may be reimbursed through the "Cost Share Program" which you will find in the USDA Transitioning Information page linked in the resources below.

How long does the certification process take?  

Once you have chosen an Agency, you will fill out your "Organic System Plan" and turn in with an application and all your supporting documentation.  i.e. seed tags, purchase records, land use affidavit  etc. and once it has been reviewed and approved for inspection, they will have an Inspector contact you and schedule your inspection.  Once the inspection report is turned in and any non-compliance or issues of concern have been corrected, they will send your notice of your approval for Organic Certification.  This process probably takes approximately 4-6 weeks depending on the workload of the agency at the time received.  Some agencies offer an expedited option for an additional fee.

If an organic certifying agency does initial or annual inspections - WHO pays for that?  

The initial and following annual inspections fees are the responsibility of the operator.  You will pay a yearly fee.

Do I have to be certified?

Most farms and businesses that grow, handle, or process organic products must be certified. However, there are some exceptions.

If an operation has a total farm/operation income of less than $5000.00, they are exempt from having to be "Certified".  All the same rules apply and they will operate accordingly with an "Organic System Plan" in place, keeping all the same records and information as if they were certified.  Although, they are not allowed to use the "USDA Organic" seal though and will not receive an official certificate.    

You can find more detailed information about this in the Do I Need to be Certified Organic? factsheet below.

USDA Introduction to Organic Practices document

Introduction to Organic Practices

This factsheet from the USDA provides an overview of some common practices that organic producers and handlers use to ensure organic integrity and operation sustainability.
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Guide for Organic Crop Producers - Missouri Organic Association

Guide for Organic Crop Producers

This detailed guide from the USDA is intended to help lead farmers through the organic certification process
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USDA Organic Production and Handling Standards Document

Organic Production and Handling Standards

This factsheet from the USDA provides an overview of the standards for production and handling of organic crops, livestock, and poultry.
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USDA ORGANIC LIVESTOCK REQUIREMENTS document

Organic Livestock Requirements

This factsheet from the USDA provides an overview of the requirements for raising organic livestock
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Do I Need to Be Certified Organic? USDA Fact Sheet - Missouri Organic Association

Do I Need to Be Certified Organic?

This factsheet from the USDA provides an overview of who exactly needs to be certified and provides some examples of exempt operations.
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USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program Fact Sheet - Missouri Organic Association

Organic Certification Cost Share Program

This factsheet gives an overview of the USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program which provides organic producers and handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost of organic certification.
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United States Department of Agriculture - Missouri Organic Association

The USDA Organic Portal

The USDA Organic Portal is an excellent resource to connect you with programs, services, and educational materials that can help your organic farm or business.
Learn More

 

Transitioning Land

To begin with, it's important to read and understand NOP rules and regulations. Then find a certifying agency.

Land Requirements - Land must be free of any disallowed inputs for 36 months prior to Organic Certification. (Begins the day after the date of last disallowed product application/use.) If you haven’t managed the land during this time, you must have a “Land Use Affidavit” from the previous owner/manager.

Documentation is King:
If you do it… Prove it - Field Activity Logs, Harvest Records/Bin records, BOL’s etc. An easy way to do this is to keep a notebook/binder in your tractor/grain truck/combine etc. to log activities as you do them.

If you use it… Prove it - Seed Tags, Non-GMO statements if applicable, purchase records etc. You must keep copies of all input purchase records, sales invoices etc. Before you use it… get it approved - Use of any disallowed inputs will require your transitioning time to start over. Use only OMRI or WSDA approved products. If you can’t find it, call us.

Use ONLY certified Organic seed or Non-GMO Untreated Seed (seed tag must state Non-GMO or have a Non-GMO Statement) Non-GMO seed can be used the first 2 years of transition but on the 3 rd year certified Organic seed is required unless you have met the other criteria listed in NOP Standards.


 

Organic Certification Resources

MOA is not an organic certification agency, but we are glad to provide help and consulting to producers who are interested in becoming certified organic. Our team includes many people who have spent their entire lives in organic agriculture, and we even have an NOSB member on our Board of Directors.

Below are some helpful resource links for organic certification information:

Rodale Institute

Agricultural Marketing Service

Organic Materials Review Institute

WSDA Organic Program

The Organic & Non-GMO Report

MOSES Guidebook for Certification