FAQs by seeds and planting stock
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New to organic certification or looking to become certified and not sure where to start? You might find these FAQ topics most useful:
Seeds treated with prohibited materials are not allowed. Look to the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) or the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) lists of allowed materials to find seed treatments that are approved. Our staff...
Yes, transplants must be from certified organic sources. Growers must maintain certificates and invoices showing all annual transplants are certified organic.
There are two situations in which transplants may come from nonorganic sources:
Non-organically produced annual seedlings may be used to produce an organic crop when a temporary variance has been granted in accordance with 205.290(a)(2);...
For crops other than sprouts, organic seed must be used unless organic versions are not commercially available. Growers are required to search for organic seed and must document this search in order to demonstrate that...
Growers must verify that third parties, who provide non-organic seed or planting stock, have searched for organic seed. CCOF must be able to verify that a commercial availability search was conducted for all non-organic seed or planting stock. If a buyer provides you with non-organic seed or planting stock, you must obtain documentation from the buyer that demonstrates a search for organic seed...
Visit our Organic Seed Resources page for details on seed requirements, or our list of seed suppliers who carry organic seed.
Your diligence in sourcing organic seed helps to strengthen the organic seed sector.