CCOF is proud to offer certification to the first national standard for organic grass-fed. This program offers the recognition and integrity of organic certification with an added layer to convey grass-fed practices to consumers with a third party backed claim. The OPT’s Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program™ sets the standard for grass-fed, organic dairy and meat production.
The program requires organic certification as a baseline and is provided in partnership with Earth Claims, LLC and Organic Plus Trust (OPT) to organic dairy and ruminant meat producers.
How to Apply
For existing CCOF-certified operations, the application process is as follows:
- Complete the CCOF Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Certification Program Application and CCOF Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program OSP Addendum and submit to CCOF.
- CCOF reviews the forms for completeness and ability to comply. If additional information is needed, CCOF will request that information.
- Once the application is approved, an inspector will be sent to the operation. If possible, the inspection will be combined with the operation's annual organic inspection.
- CCOF will review the inspection report and, if no issues arise, grant certification.
- Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and the grass-fed standards.
For operations that are not CCOF-certified organic, the application is as follows:
- Complete the CCOF organic certification application. Indicate in the “Additional Information” field if you are interested in also applying for the Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock program.
- In addition to the CCOF organic application, you will also need to complete the CCOF Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Certification Program Application and CCOF Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program OSP Addendum.
- CCOF reviews the forms for completeness and ability to comply. If additional information is needed, CCOF will request that information.
- Once the application is approved, an inspector will be sent to the operation. If possible, the inspection will be combined with the operation's initial organic inspection.
- CCOF will review the inspection report and, if no issues arise, grant certification.
- Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and the grass-fed standards.
For more information, read our Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock FAQs and visit the OPT Website.