Organic Farm
These are inviting times to become an organically certified farmer as, according to the USDA's report on Emerging Issues in the U.S. Organic Industry, the demand for organic products has grown dramatically through the years. The report states, "Organic food sales have more than quintupled, increasing from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $21.1 billion in 2008." The 2008 Farm Act provides financial support to assist farmers to convert to organic production. This article will help you walk through the process and become USDA organically certified.
Instructions
Become USDA Organically Certified
1. Organic fields
Locate a certifying agent. There are two types of certifying agents for the organic markets: domestic and foreign. You need to go to the USDA website, choose your market (domestic or foreign) and, from the drop down box, choose your state from the list. The contact information, including phone numbers and websites, is listed on the USDA's site.
2. Organic produce
Apply to a certifying agent. According to the USDA brochure, an applicant must submit the following information: the history of all substances (pesticides, etc.) that have been applied to the soil; which organic products will be grown, raised or processed on the farm; and an action plan ensuring that procedures are in place to monitor the processes to make certain that all organic products will be kept separate from inorganic products. These documents must be surrendered to the USDA or the certifying agent at any time post-certification. They must be kept for at least 5 years according to the USDA National Organic Program's guidelines.
3. Organic cattle
Continue keeping records once certified. The USDA states that all the applicants must continue to keep accurate post-certification records for 5 years for all products that are being sold as organic. There are stiff penalties for anyone selling "organic" products that do not meet the guidelines.
Tags: organic products, certifying agent, choose your, domestic foreign, organic products will