Skip to content

Organic Certification for Farmers

Steps to Certification Organic Standards & CCOF Service Manuals

Key Certification Requirements

The Land

To become certified, organic land must be free of prohibited fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides for at least three years.

Natural Resources

Organic farms must maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality. “Natural resources” are the physical, hydrological, and biological features of your operation. This applies to all operations growing crops and raising animals including greenhouses, poultry production, and other non-field organic production systems.
1 of 2

Farm Organic System Plans Include:

  • Characteristics of the land and how it has been managed over the past three years
  • The crops you grow and your growing and harvesting practices
  • Materials you use or plan to use including seeds and starts as well as inputs such as fertilizer
  • The system you use to track input applications, the source of seeds and starts, and planting, harvest, and sales activities

Grower Recordkeeping Forms

Recordkeeping is an essential part of organic certification. We have developed a collection of sample forms and worksheets to help you maintain compliance with organic standards and help ensure your continued certification with CCOF.

Audit Trail Forms

An audit trail is a collection of documents that demonstrates your recordkeeping system. These records may include, but are not limited to, planting records, invoices, purchase receipts, bills of lading, harvest records, receiving logs, weight tags, NOP certificates, etc. Your audit trail documents should demonstrate the harvest, purchase, and use of all organic products, in addition to demonstrating the quantity of finished product that was produced, shipped, and sold. Inspectors will verify that audit trails are sufficient at all annual inspections.

Additional Sources for Sample Records

The NCAT Sustainable Agriculture Project provides a wealth of organic farming and processing information and sample documentation forms. Use the project’s website to find the package that best fits your production type. Do you have a sustainable agriculture question? Get answers about specific farming practices from ATTRA.

Ask an ATTRA expert!

Resources for Organic Farmers

  • Commercial Availability of Seed and Planting Stock

    You must use organic seed and planting stock unless organic versions are commercially unavailable, with the exception that organic seed must always be used for production of edible sprouts. Start your search using our organic seed and planting stock supplier list.

    Annual Transplants

    Annual transplant (seedlings) must be certified organic. You must maintain the supplier’s current NOP certificate and purchase invoices showing the organic status.

    Production of Planting Stock

    Non-organic planting stock grown for sale as planting stock (not to produce a crop) must be managed organically for one year prior to sale as organic. You must document your compliance with this requirement.

    Sample Seed and Planting Stock Records

    Websites that contain seed search engines and other helpful resources:

    Still need help? See our seed and planting stock FAQs for more assistance with organic seed.

  • Read our flyer on how to find out if farm or livestock input is allowed and be sure to follow the outlined steps to get CCOF approval before using any materials. You may also want to review our liquid fertilizer information.

     

    The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) publishes materials information to make it easier for organic operations to research materials for use on/in certified operations.

     

    The Washington State Department of Agriculture also reviews and lists materials allowed on/in organic operations. Access WSDA materials information here.

  • The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require certified operations to maintain and improve their natural resources and integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of nutrients, promote ecological balance, and conserve biological diversity. Our Natural Resource Conservation Information Page is a resource to support farmers in meeting the NOP’s conservation standards.

  • From time to time, federal or state authorities implement emergency pest or disease treatment requirements that mandate the use of materials that are prohibited for use in organic production. The USDA National Organic Program standards contain a specific provision regarding this. You can read more about these events here.

  • CCOF cannot actively consult our clients regarding organic certification compliance. We provide a list of Organic Consultants and Organic Ag Advisors as a resource to anyone seeking assistance with developing an Organic System Plan or other operational or regulatory matters.

  • Our labeling resources are here to help you develop compliant labels for any product. Be sure to read through our labeling guides and download logos.

  • Maintaining organic certification isn’t always easy, so we developed these handy tips on certain aspects of certification: Certification Tips for Growers and Handlers.

  • The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule is regulation put forth by the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). This is the most significant change to the national organic regulations since the creation of the NOP. The rule is intended to safeguard confidence in organic products and minimize fraud throughout the organic supply chain. All operations – including both currently certified and newly impacted uncertified handlers of organic products – must meet all of the requirements in the rule by March 19, 2024. Farmers and livestock operations can review key takeaways here.

  •  

    • ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service) provides a wealth of organic farming and processing information, as well as sample documentation forms and a special Ask an Expert forum. Find out how ATTRA can get you the help you need.

     

    • Are you trying to figure out how to price your produce? Check out Rodale Institute’s Organic Price Report.

     

    • The Western Region Organic Farming Compliance Handbook provides resources to new and currently certified organic farms and agricultural professionals. This important resource contains sample forms, certification readiness checklists, and helpful explanations of a variety of issues related to organic standards and the certification process.

     

    • Are you trying to decide if organic is right for you? The Organic Trade Association’s (OTA) How to Go Organic website provides information for producers and processors on specific issues from a wide variety of sources to help you find answers to your questions and determine what’s needed to get started.

     

    • Determining the nutrient value of cover crops, fertilizers, and compost doesn’t have to be hit-or-miss, thanks to Oregon State University’s Organic Fertilizer and Cover Crop Calculator. Developed by OSU’s Small Farms Extension Team, the free online Excel calculator will help you design well-balanced and cost-effective nutrient management programs for your farm.

     

    • If you are in the Midwest and need assistance with pre-certification business planning and preparation, the nonprofit Organic Processing Institute is a good resource. They help farmers and processors by facilitating technical assistance, networking, and education to ensure sustainable business success.

     

    • Do you need legal help? Farmers’ Legal Action Group, Inc. (FLAG) is a nonprofit law center dedicated to providing legal services and support to family farmers and their communities in order to help keep family farmers on the land.

Commercial Availability of Seed and Planting Stock

You must use organic seed and planting stock unless organic versions are commercially unavailable, with the exception that organic seed must always be used for production of edible sprouts. Start your search using our organic seed and planting stock supplier list.

Annual Transplants

Annual transplant (seedlings) must be certified organic. You must maintain the supplier’s current NOP certificate and purchase invoices showing the organic status.

Production of Planting Stock

Non-organic planting stock grown for sale as planting stock (not to produce a crop) must be managed organically for one year prior to sale as organic. You must document your compliance with this requirement.

Sample Seed and Planting Stock Records

Websites that contain seed search engines and other helpful resources:

Still need help? See our seed and planting stock FAQs for more assistance with organic seed.

Apply Now

Apply for Certification