Organic Certification in Tennessee

1 University of Tennessee Extension, Plant Sciences Dept. Organic Certification in Tennessee By Dana Saywell, Annette Wszelaki and Brandon Smith What is Organic agriculture? How to choose an Organic Certification agency: The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Ask other Organic farmers in your area which defines Organic agriculture as a production Certification agency they use and if they have system that is managed by integrating cultural, been happy with services received. Is the biological, and mechanical practices that foster Certification agency responsive to the cycling of resources, promote ecological balance farmer's questions, providing quick and clear and conserve biodiversity.

2 Organic production answers? methods minimize the use of purchased off farm Call prospective Certification agencies and inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides, while ask questions about their services, fees and maximizing the use of on farm practices that responsiveness to farmer questions. For a promote naturally occurring ecological comparison of certifiers, view the Rodale relationships. Institute's Guide to US Certifiers available online at: What is Organic Certification & why get certified? Organic Certification promotes trust between Once you have selected a Certification producers and consumers.

3 Certification provides agency, contact the certifying agent to order consumers assurance that a product has the application packet and a copy of the NOP originated from an agricultural system using standards. For some certifying agencies, the Organic production methods. For producers, application packet can be downloaded from Organic Certification provides access to price the internet for free. premiums and specialty markets. How much does it cost to get certified? Is it possible to become certified Organic in TN? The cost of Certification varies depending on the Yes!

4 While no state or private USDA accredited agency's fee schedule, farm size, gross farm sales, certifying agents are located in Tennessee , there and distance traveled by the inspector. To are several national and regional Certification determine specific costs for certifying a farm agencies that operate in the state. These operation, contact the Certification agency. To Certification agencies work with inspectors maintain Organic Certification , producers must re . located in Tennessee and the surrounding region. certify each year and pay annual application and inspection fees.

5 In TN, annual Certification costs Which Certification agencies operate in TN? generally range from $500 to $700. Some of the USDA accredited Certification agencies that operate in Tennessee include The Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA) Quality Certification Services (QCS) from Florida, administers a cost share program funded by the the Kentucky Department of Agriculture Organic USDA to help reduce the cost of Organic Program, the North Carolina Crop Improvement Certification for producers. The program will Association, and Oregon Tilth.

6 A complete listing reimburse eligible producers for up to 75% of of USDA accredited certifiers and their contact their Certification costs, not to exceed $750. For information is available online at: more information on the TDA's Organic Certification Cost Share Program, call (615) 837 . 5160 or visit: information regarding crop rotation, seed sources, pest management strategies and methods of postharvest handling and storage. Who needs to be certified? Management practices outlined in the plan The USDA NOP regulations require that all must comply with NOP regulations.

7 When operations that produce or handle agricultural developing the plan, keep in mind that it can products that will be sold, labeled or represented be updated as changes in the farm operation as Organic must be certified by a USDA occur. accredited certifying agent. The only exemption Permit on site inspections with complete is for producers who sell less than $5,000 of access to the production operation, including Organic agricultural products annually. While handling areas, structures, and offices. these producers are exempt from Certification , Maintain all records applicable to the Organic they must comply with the Organic production operation for at least 5 years and, if and labeling standards of the NOP.

8 While exempt necessary, allow the certifying agent or producers may identify their agricultural products relevant government officials to access the as Organic , they may not use the label certified records to assess compliance. Farm records Organic or the USDA certified Organic seal. for Organic Certification include field histories, maps, and a complete disclosure of Is there a penalty for misusing the Organic production, harvest, handling and storage label? methods, along with sales receipts for Organic Yes. The label Organic is USDA regulated and crops.

9 Improper use of the term is subject to a penalty of up to $11,000. Misuse of the label includes Additional Organic Certification Information selling or labeling an agricultural product as Resources: Organic that is not produced in accordance with For more information about Organic Certification NOP regulations. and details of the National Organic Standards, visit the USDA NOP website: What land is eligible for Organic Certification ? For land to be eligible, prohibited substances, such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, For an online directory of approved products that treated seed, or sewage sludge, must not have may be used on certified Organic operations, visit been applied to the land for a period of 3 years the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) immediately preceding harvest of the crop.

10 Website: Additionally, the land must have distinct boundaries and buffer zones to prevent contact For resources on Organic crop production and with a prohibited substance applied to adjoining guides to Organic regulations and the Certification land that is not under Organic management. Size process, visit the National Sustainable Agriculture and location of boundaries and buffer zones vary Information Service (ATTRA) website: according to each operation. For details on substances prohibited for Organic production, see NOP regulations. What are the requirements for Organic Certification ?