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Certified Organic Facts
Are you in the know?
WHO
Scan for
online
document
can be Certified Organic?
Any Crop or Livestock Farm, Wild Crop Harvester, or Handler (processor) that follows the
National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, completes an Organic System Plan (OSP) and
passes inspection.
Farms or Handlers that sell over $5K/year of organic sales must be certified.
Those under $5K/year in sales must keep all records and meet all regulations of NOP, the do
not need to complete an OSP or be certified. These uncertified operations cannot use the
USDA Seal.
Transition can take up to 3 years from the last application of a prohibited substance until
the first organic harvest.
USDA Introduction
to Organic
Do I need to be Certified to be organic?
Agricultural Marketing Service (usda.gov)
WHAT
is Certified Organic?
Certified Organic is a well-defined agricultural practice that follows the certified food
through the growing, processing, and handling of the food to the consumer.
Certification is renewed yearly by the farmer or handler.
All aspects of the regulations must be met to carry the USDA organic seal.
Certified products can carry the USDA Organic seal and/or the seal of the Accredited
Certification Agency. (MOFGA, Oregon Tilth, etc.)
This seal identifies that the food has met organic regulations from seed to the hands of the
consumer.
Organic products are produced using sustainable, regenerative practices that protect the
environment, wildlife, soil and water.
Produce, meats, eggs, dairy, processed food and natural materials like cotton and wool can
be certified organic.
USDA Organic 101
USDA Organic Regulations
WHAT certified organic does NOT allow!
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Contact: NOFA-NH’s TOPP Coordinator at Teresa@nofanh.org or 603-224-5022
Find more information at www.nofanh.org/topp or www.organictransition.org
Certified Organic Facts
Are you in the know?
WHERE
is Certified Organic?
The USDA is a federal agency under the executive branch of the US Government. The
Secretary of Agriculture oversees the Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory
Programs where the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) is housed. The National Organic
Program (NOP) is under the AMS.
The NOP Database houses the certification information of all the farms, handlers and
importers that are Certified Organic to the USDA organic standards. This online database is
the Organic Integrity Database and accessible via the internet.
NOFA-NH keeps an interactive farm map of Certified Organic Farms in NH.
Organic Products could carry the “USDA Organic” logo and/or the seal of an accredited
certifying agency that certified that product.
USDA Organic Standards must be met for a product to be sold in the United States as certified
organic. NOP Handbook is available online.
Organic Labeling Infographic
Labeling your Certified Organic Product
WHY
Certified Organic?
Creating national organic standards, eliminated the confusion of different organizational
organic standards across the country.
To communicate with consumers about how your products are produced, when you can’t be
there to tell them.
It shows your practices are verified by a third party, with annual compliance inspections.
To grow food that is produced with careful stewardship of the environment, soil ecology and
water quality.
Certified organic operations are required to build soil health, protect natural resources,
recycle nutrients and enhance biodiversity.
Show traceability and transparency of the food because of required documentation.
Guarantees that only approved materials are used in production and processing.
Has clear economic, social, environmental, family and community well-being benefits that
come with organic methods and the organic seal.
Be part of a rapidly growing movement and mindset about stewarding our world for the
benefit of the planet and people.
The more certified organic farms there are, the more advocacy, integrity and impact there will
be at the legislative level for a cleaner, living world for people.
Shows consumers the extra effort and integrity of producers who certify organic.
Contact: NOFA-NH’s TOPP Coordinator at Teresa@nofanh.org or 603-224-5022
Find more information at www.nofanh.org/topp or www.organictransition.org
Certified Organic Facts
Are you in the know?
HOW
Scan for
online
document
to get Certified Organic?
Contact a USDA certifier. See table below.
Fees for certification are set by each individual certifying agency. Not all listed agencies will
certify in every state.
The Cost Share program, administered by the Farm Service Agency, is available to all certified
operations. It currently provides a 75% reimbursement of inspection and certification fees.
An Organic System Plan (OSP) is required. These forms are provided by the certifier and can
vary slightly from certifier to certifier. The NOP provides sample forms.
If new to certification, it could take up to 3 years of transition. All recordkeeping needs to take
place and regulations need to be met for those three years. Previous years’ records showing
compliance can shorten this time.
Certification demonstrates compliance with the USDA organic standards. Certification happens
when a farm or processor completes all required paperwork, is inspected, and is approved by
a certifying agency.
Work with established programs to get support through this certification process:
NOFA-NH Transition to Organic Program (TOPP), a mentorship program
NH State NRCS Office, Organic Transition Initiative
NH FSA State Office for certification fee reimbursement
Start by contacting an ACA below. Reach out to NOFA-NH for support. www.nofanh.org.
Certifiers for New Hampshire
Phone/Email
Home State
Country
www.baystateorganic.org
774-872-5544
Massachusetts
USA
www.ecocert.com
office.international@ecocert.co
m 888-337-8246
www.mofgacertification.org
207-568-6030
Maine
USA
www.agriculture.nh.gov
603-271-7761
New
Hampshire
USA
www.tilth.org
503-378-0690
Oregon
USA
www.paorganic.org
814-422-0251
Pennsylvania
USA
www.qai-inc.com
858-792-3531
California
USA
www.scsglobalservices.com/services/orga
nic-certification
510-452-8000
California
USA
www.nofavt.org (limited in NH)
802-434-3821
Vermont
USA
France
Contact: NOFA-NH’s TOPP Coordinator at Teresa@nofanh.org or 603-224-5022
Find more information at www.nofanh.org/topp or www.organictransition.org