Organic Certification Process. Darrin Parmenter Colorado State University Extension Organic Weed Mgm t Workshop

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1 Organic Certification Process Darrin Parmenter Colorado State University Extension Organic Weed Mgm t Workshop

2 What is Organic? Certified Organic : fruits, vegetables, grains, and animal products produced and stored in a manner without antibiotics, hormones, genetic engineering, radiation or synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

3 Why Organic? (Inter) National Level Sales have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to estimated $23 billion in million acres managed organically by more than 700,000 farms in 138 countries Australia: 30.4 million acres China: 7.5 million acres United States: 4.2 million acres

4 Why Organic? State Level In 1989, CO Dept. of Ag became 1 st state agency to begin a certification program In August 2007, more than 150 certified farms Growing at a rate of ~ 20%

5 Why Organic? Local Level Few are certified (counted 9 in area) Demand is probably here Many producers do not see the need to be certified

6 Who Defines Organic? National Organic Program Directed by the USDA (since 2002) Provides regulations and requirements of how organic crops must be grown, stored, transported and prepared. Mandatory to follow this protocol if it s sold with an organic label. USDA accredits certifiers in the U.S. Certifiers hire inspectors to visit the farm and farmer to INSPECT NOT advise.

7 Transition Three year process to transition from conventional to organic Alternatives Certify in small sections May have fields that have not be fertilized or sprayed for years can be certified right away Educate yourself!

8 Exemptions Can I sell a product as organic without being certified? Yes, using the $5,000 exemption

9 Exemptions Exemptions and exclusions from certification. (a) Exemptions. (1) A production or handling operation that sells agricultural products as organic but whose gross agricultural income from organic sales totals $5,000 or less annually is exempt from certification under subpart E of this part and from submitting an organic system plan for acceptance or approval under but must comply with the applicable organic production and handling requirements of subpart C of this part and the labeling requirements of The products from such operations shall not be used as ingredients identified as organic in processed products produced by another handling operation.

10 Exemptions Can I sell a product as organic without being certified? Yes, using the $5,000 exemption But: -Must follow organic rules. -Follow labeling instructions.

11 Exemptions Agricultural products produced on an exempt or excluded operation. (a) An agricultural product organically produced or handled on an exempt or excluded operation must not: (1) Display the USDA seal or any certifying agent's seal or other identifying mark which represents the exempt or excluded operation as a certified organic operation, or (2) Be represented as a certified organic product or certified organic ingredient to any buyer. (c) Such product is subject to requirements specified in paragraph (a) of , and paragraphs (f)(1) through (f)(7) of

12 Exemptions Can I sell a product as organic without being certified? Yes, using the $5,000 exemption But: -Must follow organic rules. -Follow labeling instructions. -Keep good records for 3 years.

13 Exemptions Exemptions and exclusions from certification. (c) Records to be maintained by exempt operations Any handling operation exempt from certification pursuant to paragraph (a)(3) or (a)(4) of this section must maintain records sufficient to: (i) Prove that ingredients identified as organic were organically produced and handled; and (ii) Verify quantities produced from such ingredients. (2) Records must be maintained for no less than 3 years beyond their creation and the operations must allow representatives of the Secretary and the applicable State organic programs' governing State official access to these records for inspection and copying during normal business hours to determine compliance with the applicable regulations set forth in this part.

14 Gathering Info National Organic Program guidelines & certification Colorado Dept. of Ag Organic Program Main/CDAG/ OMRI what products are allowed by NOP

15 What is the process? Step One: Identify a certifier Colorado Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry 700 Kipling St., Suite 4000 Lakewood, CO Contact: Mitch Yergert Phone: Mitchell.Yergert@ag.state.co.us Scope: crop, livestock, wild crop, handling Accredited: 10/16/02

16 What is the process? Step One: Identify a certifier New Mexico Organic Commodity Commission 4001 Indian School, NE, Ste. 310 Albuquerque, NM Contact: Brett Bakker Phone: brett.bakker@state.nm.us Scope: crop, livestock, wild crop, handling Accredited: 4/29/02

17 What is the process? Step Two: Submit an application Request copies of certifier s organic standards and application packet Application fee Read standards carefully (based on NOP regs) Complete Farm Plan Questionnaire (should be included)

18 What is the process? Step Three: Completeness review Certifier reviews the application for: Completeness Confirm ability of operation to abide by NOP Additional info may be requested by certifier

19 What is the process? Step Four: On-farm inspection Certifier assigns an inspector Inspector visits farm and looks at: Fields, farms, buildings, implements Reviews borders and adjoining lands Assesses contamination and commingling risks Reviews, reviews, reviews Inspection affidavit is completed, signed Inspector reviews all non-compliance issues w/ producer Inspector submits report to certifier

20 What is the process? Step Five: Final review Farm plan, application, and inspector s report reviewed by certifier possible outcomes: Approval Request for additional information Notification of noncompliance Denial of certification

21 For a Farm to Pass Can not use any NOP restricted products for 3 years or more on the farm Complete an application with a NOP approved agency Participate in a farm inspection Maintain & record organic practices Receive an annual inspection

22 Challenges Potential higher production costs Potential lower yields Expectation of government oversight Lack of access to information Overwhelming Rules and regulations Application

23 Challenges Cost

24 Challenges Cost sharing

25 Alternatives Beyond organic Natural Pesticide-free Grown using organic practices Grassfed Antibiotic free What else?

Information on Certificates of Organic Operation. Recommendation

Date: _March 18, 2005 FORMAL RECOMMENDATION BY THE NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD (NOSB) TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM (NOP) Subject: Chair: Information on Certificates of Organic Operation Jim Riddle