Organic Certification Resources

The organizations and links shown below provide comprehensive information on the organic certification process, including access to certification paperwork and certification services. The list includes links to University programs; State government programs; non-government organizations; and a representative sample of organic certification agencies.

General Information

For a complete and current list of all certification agencies accredited by the USDA National Organic Program, visit:

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

For a complete copy of the most current National Organic Program regulation, visit:

eCFR - The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

ATTRA – National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service; Organic Certification Resources:

http://www.attra.org/organic.html

Iowa State University; Organic Information Resources:

http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/standards.html

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service; Organic Information Packet:

http://www.mosesorganic.org

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service; MOSES Fact Sheets:

http://mosesorganic.org/publications/organic-fact-sheets/

Minnesota Department of Agriculture; Organic Certification Publications:

http://www.mda.state.mn.us/food/organic.aspx

University of Minnesota – Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture; Minnesota Guide to Organic Certification:

http://www.extension.umn.edu/food/small-farms/crops/minnesota-guide-to-organic-certification/

University of Minnesota – Organic Ecology Program; Links to Organic Resources:

http://organicecology.umn.edu/?page_id=51

North Carolina State University - Organic Resources

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/fletcher/programs/ncorganic/production.html

The Rodale Institute – New Farm; Guide to U.S. Organic Certifiers:

http://www.newfarm.org/ocdbt/displayCert_choose.php

The Rodale Institute – New Farm; Online Organic Training Course:

http://www.newfarm.org/features/2008/0108/tricourse/bowman.shtml

Sustainable Agriculture Network; Transitioning to Organic Production:

http://www.sare.org/publications/organic/organic.pdf

Western SARE; Organic Farming Compliance Handbook:

http://www.sarep.ucdavis.edu/sfr/organic/ofch

University of Wisconsin – Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems; Becoming a Certified Organic Producer:

http://www.cias.wisc.edu/archives/2007/06/18/becoming_a_certified_organic_producer/index.php

Biodiversity Assessment

Wild Farm Alliance; Biodiversity Compliance Assessment Tools:

http://www.wildfarmalliance.org/resources/organic_BD.htm

Certification Agencies

California Certified Organic Farmers; Organic Certification FAQs:

http://www.ccof.org/faqs

International Certification Services, Organic Certification Program: 

http://www.ics-intl.com

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Apply for Organic Certification:

http://www.mofga.org/

Midwest Organic Services Association; Steps to Certification

http://mosaorganic.org/steps-to-certification/

Montana Department of Agriculture; Organic Certification Information:

http://agr.mt.gov/organic/Info.asp

Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association

http://www.oeffa.org/

Oregon Tilth; Organic Certification Program:

http://www.tilth.org/certification/

Organic Crop Improvement Association, International; Certification/Verification Programs:

http://www.ocia.org/

Pennsylvania Certified Organic; Certification page:

http://www.paorganic.org/certification

Quality Certification Services; Organic Certification Applications and Forms:

http://www.qcsinfo.org/

Washington State Department of Agriculture - Organic Food Program:

http://agr.wa.gov/foodanimal/organic/#WSDA_Organic_Food_Program

Small Farm Resources

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association; Resources for Growers:

http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/forgrowers/

Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture; Assessing Organic Compliance for Small Farms and Markets:

http://www.kerrcenter.com/publications/Organic-certification-report/Organic-report07.pdf

North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service - Chatham County Center; Organic Certification Guide:

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/ag/SustAg/orgcertguide.html

Sample Forms, Inspector Training

International Organic Inspectors Association:

http://www.ioia.net/

Materials Review

Organic Materials Review Institute; Materials Review for Organic Certification:

http://www.omri.org/