Resources Category: Organic Certification

Find detailed information on the organic certification process. Understand the requirements, documentation, and steps needed to achieve certified organic status for your farm or products.

DOCUMENTATION FORMS FOR ORGANIC CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

There are three types of documentation that enable accredited certifying agents (certifiers) to verify a producer’s compliance with the National Organic Program (NOP) Regulations: a) The producer’s records of farm/livestock operation activities b) The Organic System Plan (OSP) c) Audit trail documents (e.g., purchase invoices, organic certificates, contracted custom application or harvest records, soil test… Continue reading DOCUMENTATION FORMS FOR ORGANIC CROP AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

Investing in Organic Production: Economics of Transition

Transitioning to organic requires upfront investments in soil building and organic weed management. Organic price premiums may cover some of these initial expenditures, but the returns on these investments are typically delayed until the end of the three-year transition period. This webinar explores the economics of transitioning to organic and report on strategies that are… Continue reading Investing in Organic Production: Economics of Transition

Recordkeeping Case Study: Documenting Material Records

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Documenting Material Records

Recordkeeping Case Study: Seed Search Documentation and History

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Seed Search Documentation and History

Audit Trail: A Sample Documentation Process

One of the core practices of your certified organic operation is developing good quality record-keeping and documentation (commonly referred to as an “audit trail”). Use this tool as an example when developing the documentation process for your operation.

Recordkeeping for Organics: Tips, Tricks, and Questions Answered

This webinar video helps producers understand what records are required to apply for organic certification. We also share “sound and sensible” recordkeeping practices that producers can implement to demonstrate organic compliance to inspectors and certifiers.

Recordkeeping Case Study: Keeping Records for a Crop Audit

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Keeping Records for a Crop Audit

Recordkeeping Case Study: Documenting Ruminant Livestock Feed

With support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Program, Oregon Tilth developed a series of farmer-to-farmer case studies on best practices in recordkeeping. The records of a certified organic farm’s operations and activities demonstrate where promise and practice meet for an inspector and certifier. An annual mandatory inspection examines the… Continue reading Recordkeeping Case Study: Documenting Ruminant Livestock Feed