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To become certified, you must first find an organic certification agency. These agencies have
been accredited by the USDA. A list of certification agents that operate around the U.S. may be
found at the National Organic Program website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/.
The certification agency will send you an application packet; there generally is a fee for this
packet, commonly $50. It is recommended that you request this packet at least six months before
you are ready to sell organic product. This will be months into your transition practices (the
number of months will depend on the complexity of your farm operation, 36 months for crop
land or pasture, 12 months for animals). You will want to educate yourself about the
complexities of what is allowed and not allowed in organic production. To help with this, see the
Resources at the end of this paper. There are lists of products that are allowed and not allowed in
the NOP Rule and on the website of the Organic Materials Review Institute (www.omri.org).
The application packet will contain a copy of the National Organic Rule (also available at
www.ams.usda.gov/nop) and other useful resources. You will be asked to fill out a
comprehensive farm plan, which outlines your farm practices. This includes describing flock
health practices, environmental management practices, weed and pest control strategies, manure
management practices, etc. and will require that you draw a map of your farm.
Once you have completed the application, you return it to the certification agency. They will
let you know if they have any questions. If not, they will forward the application to a farm
inspector, who will call you to set up an inspection appointment. When the inspector comes, they
will go over your application, your farm records, tour your farm and look at your animals. The
inspector will complete a report, and turn it into the certification agency with any supporting
documentation. The certification agency will make a determination as to if you are abiding by
the NOP and qualify for organic certification. They will issue you a certificate if you qualify, and
then you can sell organic product. Each product you wish to sell (i.e. milk, lambs, corn) must be
listed on the application and the certificate. Certification generally costs between $350 and $550
annually, depending on how many products you are certifying and how much organic product
you sell.
For more information on organic certification, including how to certify organic crops, see the
MOSES Fact Sheets at (http://www.mosesorganic.org/factsheets/intro.htm).
Organic Cheese Production
To produce organic cheese, the certified organic milk must be transported in clean equipment
to a facility that has been certified to process organic products. It is not especially difficult for a
cheese or yogurt plant to become certified, even if they also produce non-organic products.
Generally organic products are produced the first run of the day/week so they are produced in a
clean system. Segregation must occur at all stages to isolate organic milk and products from nonorganic.
There are a few specific practices and products that organic cheese makers must comply
with:
• Certified organic milk must be used. Any additions, such as powdered milk, cream or
other kinds of milk must be certified organic to produce a 100% organic product. If other
ingredients are not organic, the product can only be labeled as “made with organic
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