seeds and planting stock

Organic seed and planting stock must be used unless organic versions are not commercially available, with the exception that organic seed must always be used for production of edible sprouts. Commercial Availability is defined by the NOP as the ability to obtain a production input in an appropriate form, quality, or quantity to fulfill an essential function in a system of organic production or handling, as determined by CCOF in the course of reviewing the Organic System Plan (certification application). 

Visit our Organic Seed and Planting Stock Resources page for details on seed and planting stock requirements, and our list of organic seed and planting suppliers.

Your diligence in sourcing organic seed and planting stock helps to strengthen the organic seed sector.

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 will verify compliance of any seed treatments not on the OMRI or WSDA lists for you.

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:

Growers whose seed or planting stock is determined by a third party must be able to demonstrate that the third party complies, on behalf of the grower, with the commercial availability requirement for seed or planting stock. CCOF must be able to verify that a commercial availability search was conducted for all non-organic seed or planting stock. If a buyer, seed distributor, or other third party provides you with non-organic seed or planting stock, you must obtain documentation from the third party that demonstrates an adequate search for organic seed or planting stock was conducted.