Organic Certification Peggy McKie Nevada Department of Agriculture

National Organic Standards Administered by USDA through the National Organic Program Administered by USDA through the National Organic Program Certification only though USDA- accredited certification agents Certification only though USDA- accredited certification agents Provides third party confirmation of organic integrity Provides third party confirmation of organic integrity Standardized requirements, labeling Standardized requirements, labeling

Purpose of Certification Track organic product from production through processing to the final sale. Track organic product from production through processing to the final sale. Support consumer confidence in the meaning of the organic label. Support consumer confidence in the meaning of the organic label.

Who Must Certify? “Operations or portions of operations that produce or handle agricultural products that are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as "100 percent organic," "organic," or ‘made with organic ingredients’.” “Operations or portions of operations that produce or handle agricultural products that are intended to be sold, labeled, or represented as "100 percent organic," "organic," or ‘made with organic ingredients’.”

Who Should Not Certify Don’t like inspectors on your property or in your business Don’t like inspectors on your property or in your business Think record-keeping is a four-letter word Think record-keeping is a four-letter word Doing it for the money Doing it for the money Don’t know how or don’t want to learn how to comply with requirements Don’t know how or don’t want to learn how to comply with requirements Believe that clients will flock to your door without any effort on your part just because of the “O” word. Believe that clients will flock to your door without any effort on your part just because of the “O” word.

Steps to Certification First - decide if organic certification is appropriate for your business, your market, and your management style – then: your management style – then: Select a certifier Select a certifier Submit application and organic system plan Submit application and organic system plan Documents reviewed by certifier Documents reviewed by certifier On-site Inspection / re-inspection On-site Inspection / re-inspection Inspection report review Inspection report review Certification Certification

Select a Certifier Determine where you want to market your products – locally, nationally, internationally  Any USDA-accredited certification agent: Nevada Department of Agriculture Nevada Department of Agriculture Private or non-profit certifiers Private or non-profit certifiers

Request and Submit an Application Completed application (“Organic System Plan”) Completed application (“Organic System Plan”) Application fee (varies) Application fee (varies) Additional documentation as required Additional documentation as required (maps, affidavits, labels, ingredient lists)

Application: Crop Production Organic System Plan Organic System Plan Written plans and relevant information concerning all aspects of your farming operation. Written plans and relevant information concerning all aspects of your farming operation.

Application: Livestock Production Organic system plan includes: Source of animals Source of animals Feed and feed supplements Feed and feed supplements Housing and living conditions (access to out- of-doors and pasture for ruminants) Housing and living conditions (access to out- of-doors and pasture for ruminants) Health care practices Health care practices Record keeping practices Record keeping practices Labeling Labeling

Application: Handling Operations Organic System Plan Includes: Sources of ingredients Sources of ingredients SOP for cleaning, sanitation, pest control SOP for cleaning, sanitation, pest control Protection of organic integrity (co-mingling and contamination) Protection of organic integrity (co-mingling and contamination) Packaging Packaging Record keeping Record keeping Product formulations Product formulations Labeling Labeling

Review of Application by Certifier Completeness Completeness Assess capacity to operate under NOP requirements Assess capacity to operate under NOP requirements On-site inspection arranged On-site inspection arranged

The Organic Inspection Prior to original certification – Annually thereafter Verifies accuracy of application information Verifies accuracy of application information Record keeping system reviewed Record keeping system reviewed Risk assessment with regard to prohibited materials Risk assessment with regard to prohibited materials Field/facility inspection Field/facility inspection Inspector does not make the certification decision. Inspector does not make the certification decision.

Certifier Reviews Inspection Report Determines if operation is eligible for certification Determines if operation is eligible for certification May require additional information May require additional information May require remediation to bring minor non-compliances into compliance May require remediation to bring minor non-compliances into compliance Significant non-compliances may result in denial of certification Significant non-compliances may result in denial of certification

Certification Issued Certification is issued Certification is issued Sales of organic products can begin Sales of organic products can begin Use of USDA/certifiers logo is optional Use of USDA/certifiers logo is optional Annual inspection is required Annual inspection is required Certification continues until surrendered, suspended or revoked. Certification continues until surrendered, suspended or revoked.

NDOA Organic Certification Program Certification services since 1997 Certification services since 1997 Accredited by USDA in 2002 Accredited by USDA in Producers 20 Producers 2 Producer/Handlers 2 Producer/Handlers 6 Handlers 6 Handlers

NDOA Certification Fees $75.00 plus gross income assessment $75.00 plus gross income assessment Inspection fee of $30.00/hour (on-site time) Inspection fee of $30.00/hour (on-site time) Annual update fee $50.00 plus gross income assessment plus inspection fee Annual update fee $50.00 plus gross income assessment plus inspection fee Gross income assessment = $ $2, ($1,000,000.00) Gross income assessment = $ $2, ($1,000,000.00)

Getting Started: Talk to certified organic farmers or processors! ( Talk to certified organic farmers or processors! (