Organic Certifications

USDA Organic Certification. 

There is a long standing myth that USDA Organic certification is a complicated and costly certification to obtain. The truth is with the right guidance the process can be seamless and reimbursable or eligible for grants. Additionally, the cost is much less expense than organizations think. Why is it important to certify your production? We have to follow the rules even if it takes a little sacrifice at first. The reason being....so we eventually live in a world where organic production is the only option for cultivation and no certifications are needed.

I began to think of the clarity of certifications for the non expert. It is confusing even for the small farmer.

At the farmers market this week I met a two individuals who had a small farm but did not have the means to certify it as organic. Sometimes it is not necessary. Depending on revenue and how much production you have. What they did not know is there are grants. The "national organic cost share program may reimburse you up to 75% of final certification costs." (usda.gov)

Here are some things to know:

"If you make a product and want to claim that it or its ingredients are organic your final product probably needs to be certified in the USA as USDA Certified." This is where it gets complicated as it is a global economy. I posted a video (see Insta Feed) a few weeks ago on a company that claims its company as organic. Technically, it is but not in our country. The production is in Italy and so is its certification. Therefore, they may have different certification requirements for production, chemicals, etc.. So you have to do your due diligence and understand what the certification components mean. That being said, if a company makes the effort to certify, no matter where it is, this companies values for production and efficacy are most likely above standard.

You will need a certifying agent to take you through the process of certifying your farm or product.

Food establishments do not have to be certified organic if they are selling organic packed food but if they produce food in house and call it organic they need to be certified.

Farms who sell less than 5,000 dollars a year do not have to be certified to call themselves organic.

Be Well in 2021,

Kim