Organic Certification In Tennessee

National Organic Program NOP established national standards for organically labeled products. NOP established national standards for organically labeled products. USDA approves organizations or persons to become "certifying agents" USDA approves organizations or persons to become "certifying agents" Certifying agents certify that production and handling practices meet the national standards. Certifying agents certify that production and handling practices meet the national standards. Producers or handlers who sell $5000 of product per year labeled or represented as "organic" must be certified. Producers or handlers who sell $5000 of product per year labeled or represented as "organic" must be certified

The Basis for National Standards Organic Foods Production Act - part of the 1990 Farm Bill Organic Foods Production Act - part of the 1990 Farm Bill USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) NOSB completes recommendations NOSB completes recommendations USDA publishes first proposal USDA publishes first proposal 275,000 comments let USDA know it needs more work 275,000 comments let USDA know it needs more work March, 2000 – USDA’s 2nd proposal March, 2000 – USDA’s 2nd proposal 40,000 more comments 40,000 more comments December, 2000 – USDA’s Final Rule December, 2000 – USDA’s Final Rule

Definition of Organic Production- from USDA final rule “…A system that responds to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.” “…A system that responds to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”

I used to eat a lot of natural food, until I learned that most people die of natural causes. until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

Certification Procedure 1. Producer purchases "Certification Application Packet" from accredited certifying agent of their choice.

Certification Application Packet Includes Certification Handbook Certification Handbook Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Manuals of materials allowed, restricted and prohibited for use in organic production Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Manuals of materials allowed, restricted and prohibited for use in organic production Application(s) for Certification Application(s) for Certification

2. Producer pays applicable fees and submits completed application which includes: 1. History of substances applied to the land for the previous three years, 2. Organic products being grown or processed, 3. Organic plan, which includes practices and substances used in production (Must keep post-certification records on production, harvesting, and handling for five years.)

3. Certifying agent reviews application for certification eligibility. 4. Inspector, assigned by certifying agent, conducts on-site inspection of the applicant's operation. 5. Certifying agent reviews the information submitted by the applicant and the inspector's report. If review and inspection show compliance with the requirements, the agent will issue a certificate.

USDA NOP seal

Three Labeling Categories “100% Organic” (may use USDA and/or certifier seal) “100% Organic” (may use USDA and/or certifier seal) “Organic” (may use USDA and/or certifier seal) “Organic” (may use USDA and/or certifier seal) At least 95% organic ingredients At least 95% organic ingredients Remaining 5% must be on the “National List”. Remaining 5% must be on the “National List”. Must use organic ingredients if commercially available. Must use organic ingredients if commercially available. “Made with Organic (Ingredients)” (may use certifier seal) “Made with Organic (Ingredients)” (may use certifier seal) From 95% to 70% of the ingredients must be organic. From 95% to 70% of the ingredients must be organic. No GMOs, sewage sludge, or irradiation allowed for any of these categories. No GMOs, sewage sludge, or irradiation allowed for any of these categories.

Notes about Certification Producers who sell less than $5,000 per year are not required to be certified Producers who sell less than $5,000 per year are not required to be certified Certified operations must submit updated organic plan, pay fees, and be re-inspected each year. Certified operations must submit updated organic plan, pay fees, and be re-inspected each year. USDA or the certifying agent may conduct unannounced inspections at any time to enforce the regulations. USDA or the certifying agent may conduct unannounced inspections at any time to enforce the regulations. Certifying agents or USDA will conduct residue tests of organic products if there is reason to believe that products have been contaminated with prohibited substances. Certifying agents or USDA will conduct residue tests of organic products if there is reason to believe that products have been contaminated with prohibited substances.

Violations If your organic certification agency finds just cause, certification can and will be suspended or revoked. If your organic certification agency finds just cause, certification can and will be suspended or revoked. Any person who knowingly violates the 1990 Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation. (representing product as organic without certification is an example violation) Any person who knowingly violates the 1990 Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) can be fined up to $10,000 per violation. (representing product as organic without certification is an example violation)

USDA’s Role Accreditation of State and Private Certifiers (domestic or foreign). Accreditation of State and Private Certifiers (domestic or foreign). Enforcement and Compliance. Enforcement and Compliance. Equivalency negotiations with international organic regulatory organizations, allowing organic products from the US to be recognized worldwide. Equivalency negotiations with international organic regulatory organizations, allowing organic products from the US to be recognized worldwide.

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Organic Certification Cost- Share Program - Tennessee The state, using funds from the USDA, will reimburse each eligible producer or handler for up to 75% of organic certification costs, not to exceed $500. The state, using funds from the USDA, will reimburse each eligible producer or handler for up to 75% of organic certification costs, not to exceed $500.

For Further Information USDA NOP USDA NOP Contains list of certifying agents, FAQs, the USDA NOP standards, cost-share information. Contains list of certifying agents, FAQs, the USDA NOP standards, cost-share information. OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute Lists of products allowed, restricted, and prohibited for use in organic crop and livestock production as well as food processing Lists of products allowed, restricted, and prohibited for use in organic crop and livestock production as well as food processing

For Further Information QCS – Quality Certification Services QCS – Quality Certification Services Offers affordable organic certification throughout the South, and has a sample application for certification on their website Offers affordable organic certification throughout the South, and has a sample application for certification on their website ATTRA ATTRA Arkansas extension service for sustainable agriculture – offer hundreds of free publications related to sustainable and organic production Arkansas extension service for sustainable agriculture – offer hundreds of free publications related to sustainable and organic production

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