How to become USDA Certified Organic

Step 1 - Find a Certifying Agent (Certifying Agents are accredited by USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service)

• Visit this National Organic Program (NOP) Certifying Agent page to see a list of Certifying Agents in the US
• Visit the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) site to see a list of Certifying Agents that service Virginia; or contact contact Catherine Cash of VDACS at catherine.cash@vdacs.virginia.gov or call 804.382.0909.

 Step 2 - Work with your chosen Certifying Agent to develop an Organic System Plan (OSP)

• The type of operation to be certified;
• A history of substances applied to land for the previous 3 years;
• The organic products being grown, raised, or processed;
• The organic system plan (OSP) – a plan describing practices and substances used in production. The OSP also must describe monitoring practices to be performed to verify that the plan is effectively implemented, a record-keeping system, and practices to prevent commingling of organic and nonorganic products and to prevent contact of products with prohibited substances.

Applicants for certification must keep accurate post-certification records for 5 years concerning the production, harvesting, and handling of agricultural products that are to be sold as organic. These records must document that the operation is in compliance with the regulations and verify the information provided to the certifying agent. Access to these records must be provided to authorized representatives of USDA, including the certifying agent.

Step 3 - Certification via your Certifying Agent

 
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