USDA & NOFA-NY ORGANIC CERTIFICATION

WHAT DOES USDA CERTIFIED ORGANIC MEAN?

For industrial hemp producers operating per their state’s industrial hemp program, becoming a certified organic operation will be no different than for companies in any other industry. The USDA lays out five basic steps to attaining organic certification: The farm or business adopts organic practices, selects a USDA-accredited certifying agent, and submits an application and fees to the certifying agent. The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations. An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant’s operation. The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations. The certifying agent issues an organic certificate. All certified organic farms and businesses must also undergo an annual review and inspection process. When choosing products, whether they are hemp-related, food, cosmetics, or homeopathic medications, default to “USDA Certified” whenever possible to ensure you are getting the best quality, produced in a sustainable manner.

WHAT IS NOFA-NY ORGANIC CERTIFICATION?

NOFA is New York’s leading non‐profit organization providing programs and services to promote sustainable, local organic food and farming. National Organic Program (NOP) implemented federal standards for organic products. Organic standards address such factors as soil quality, pest and weed control, use of input materials, and humane treatment of livestock. Meeting these NOP standards is the core of the organic certification process and is required for a producer to use the word “organic” or the USDA Organic seal on food, feed, or fiber products. New York State is consistently a national leader in organic production, ranking 3rd in the nation for number of organic farms.