Resources Category: The basics of Organic Certification
Bite by Bite: Organic Certification Made Simple
In this multi-part video series, farmers discuss their firsthand experiences with obtaining organic certification—and why they decided to pursue it. Small video segments show viewers how the USDA organic regulations translate to practices on the ground by following a direct market farmer on his journey through the organic certification process. The video also provides a… Continue reading Bite by Bite: Organic Certification Made Simple
Organic Sound and Sensible Resources: Understanding the Rules, Certification, and Inspections
USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has put together a resource hub of guides, videos, and other tools that help farms and businesses understand the USDA organic standards, certification process, and inspections in more depth. In this hub of resources is the Sound and Sensible resources, a series of short videos that help to explain the… Continue reading Organic Sound and Sensible Resources: Understanding the Rules, Certification, and Inspections
The Road to Organic Certification: Interactive Video
This interactive, choose-your-own-adventure style video puts viewers in the shoes of two farmers—Bruce, an established fourth-generation wholesale farmer; and Candace, a newer, direct-market farmer who uses sustainable practices—as they consider organic certification. Viewers make decisions with Candace and Bruce as they learn about applications, organic system plans, and the roles and relationships of certifiers, inspectors,… Continue reading The Road to Organic Certification: Interactive Video
How to Transition Your Farm, Ranch, or Business to Organic
This USDA National Organic Program (NOP) webpage provides a step-by-step guide on the steps of organic certification and provides additional links to USDA resources for getting certified organic.
Podcast : From Soil to Certification – The Organic Journey with Sam Welsh
On this special edition of the Tractor Time podcast, hosted by Taylor Henry, CEO of Acres U.S.A, we delve into sustainable farming, regenerative practices, and organic certification with guest Sam Welsh from OneCert, Inc. Sam Welsh shares his journey from executive director at OCIA to founding OneCert in 2003 and its growth to include a… Continue reading Podcast : From Soil to Certification – The Organic Journey with Sam Welsh
Evaluating Organic Transitions at the Field Level
This publication provides information on making plans to transition to organic crop production. It helps outline the need for a transition crop plan, the importance of individual crop budgets, and evaluating results.
Making the Transition from Conventional to Organic
Farming organically allows producers to incur many economic and social advantages compared to farming conventionally. Understanding and planning the economic returns of the transition process can aid the producer in planning and in becoming organically certified.
Iowa State University Extension Fundamentals of Organic Agriculture
Detailed information on organic agriculture including history, legalities and logistics, labeling, marketing, and pest and weed management. Includes two field examples on organic soybean and apple production.
Steps to Organic Certification
Organic Certification doesn’t have to be daunting. Explore the five key steps in the organic certification process.