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Demystifying Organic:

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The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)��Wren Frueh�TOPP Mentorship Coordinator, Northeast Region

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What is Organic Certification?

What is Certified Organic?

What is Certified Organic?

• Certified Organic is a set of well-defined agricultural practices, regulated by the USDA, that follow the certified food through the growing, processing, and handling of the food to the consumer.

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• The Organic guidelines are public information and are a specific set of guidelines for practices, inputs, processes, and materials.

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• Certified Organic Products carry the USDA Organic Seal

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• The Organic seal is a protected trademark the protects the integrity of the organic label and organic products

What is Certified Organic?

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• Organic Certification is renewed yearly by the farmer or handler through a 3rd party certifier
• The USDA does not directly certify farms and farmers do not directly deal with the USDA

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• All aspects of the regulations must be met to carry the USDA organic seal.
• The Organic product must follow organic practices through the entire process including processing and handling
• Ex - Meat can only be Organic if butchered by a Certified Organic Butcher

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• Produce, meats, eggs, dairy, processed food, value-added products, and natural materials like cotton and wool can all be certified organic.

Organic Is…

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Protected by law

• Only foods produced according to the USDA organic standards can display the organic seal.
• The USDA organic seal is a registered trademark, which protects the integrity of the organic seal and keeps fraudulent products out of the U.S. organic market.
• NOP investigates complaints and takes action against businesses that violate the regulation

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Traced from farm to store

• Farms and businesses must keep detailed records of the organic products they produce, buy, and sell so businesses can choose trusted suppliers and verify that what they sell is organic.
• NOP manages the Organic INTEGRITY Database, which contains up-to-date and accurate information about organic operations.

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Inspected by experts

• Specially trained organic inspectors visit organic farms and business yearly to confirm they still meet the organic standards.
• USDA regularly audits certifiers to make sure that they are correctly inspecting farms
• To become certified organic, operations must show that their practices follow the organic standards.

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Shaped by public input

• Stakeholders and the public can provide feedback on proposed regulations to shape final policy decisions at biannual meetings
• The organic standards are developed with recommendations from an advisory board—the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Is Organic Certification right for me?

True or False?

When I certify my farm, I have to certify everything all at once

Organic Recordkeeping must be in one specific format

Organic inspectors are USDA agents

False! You can certify certain fields or products and exclude others and add as you go if you wish.

False! Most certifiers accept records in a variety of formats and will work with you to develop a system that works for you and your farm

False! Organic inspectors work for independent certifiers not the USDA. Inspectors cannot offer advice or corrections - they can only make sure you adhere to the organic guidelines

Who can become certified Organic?

• Any Crop or Livestock Farm, Wild Crop Harvester, or Handler (processor) that follows the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, completes an Organic System Plan (OSP) and passes inspection.

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• Farms or Handlers that sell over $5K/year of organic sales must be certified to call their products Organic.
• Those under $5K/year in sales must keep all records and meet all regulations of NOP, they do not need to complete an OSP or be certified. These uncertified operations cannot use the USDA Seal.

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• Transition can take up to 3 years from the last application of a prohibited substance until the first organic harvest.
• If your last application of a prohibited substance was more than 3 years ago, certification can only take a few months

Why Certified Organic: Markets

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• Access to Organic Markets and price points
• Organic sales are up 32% from 2017 (Source: USDA 2022 Ag Census)

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• To communicate with consumers about how your products are produced, when you can’t be here to tell them.
• Particularly useful when selling retail, wholesale, or direct to restaurants.

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• It shows your practices are verified by a third party, with annual compliance inspections.
• Provides accountability to buyers and consumers

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• Show traceability and transparency of the food because of required documentation

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Why Certified Organic: Certifier Resources

• Guarantees that only approved materials are used in production and processing.
• Certifiers have teams that monitor materials lists and can answer questions about materials and inputs

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• Certifiers keep up to date with rules, regulations, and recommendations and will notify you

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• Can help you access grants, crop insurance, and other financial resources
• Farms that are Certified Organic may have an easier time getting grants

Why Certified Organic: Community

• Has clear economic, social, environmental, family and community well-being benefits that come with organic methods and the organic seal.

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• Be part of a rapidly growing movement and mindset about stewarding our world for the benefit of the planet and people

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• Connects you to national networks of farmers, processors, and buyers

How can you become certified?

• Contact a USDA certifier.
• Fees for certification are set by each individual certifying agency and vary based on certifier and the specifics about your operation
• NRCS offers cost share programs to help with the costs of transition and certification

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• An Organic System Plan (OSP) is required. These forms are provided by the certifier and can vary slightly from certifier to certifier. The USDA provides sample forms.

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• If new to certification, it could take up to 3 years of transition. All recordkeeping needs to take place and regulations need to be met for those three years. Previous years’ records showing compliance can shorten this time.

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• Certification demonstrates compliance with the USDA organic standards. Certification happens when a farm or processor completes all required paperwork, is inspected, and is approved by a certifying agency.

How can you become certified?

This graphic is a rough overview of the steps

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If no prohibited substances have been applied in the last 3 years - this process takes a few months

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If prohibited substances have been applied in the last three years this process takes 3 years

Organic Recordkeeping

USDA Recordkeeping Guidelines (Introduction)

• Certified operators must maintain records concerning the production, harvesting, and handling of organic products. The records must:
• Be well adapted to the business being conducted
• Disclose all activities and transactions in adequate detail
• Be maintained for not less than 5 years beyond their creation
• Be sufficient to demonstrate compliance with Federal regulations
• Substance matters more than form, both digital and paper records are allowed in a variety of formats

FAQ: How much does it cost?

• There is no standard cost - the costs depend on your scope, size, and certifier
• Typically, there is an application fee, annual renewal fee, assessment on annual production or sales, and inspection fees.
• Before you apply, ask your certifier for a fee structure and billing cycle.
• Currently, we are unsure about how organic cost share is going to operate with the administration change as it depends on the farm bill

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)

What is TOPP?

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• The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) is a network assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program to support transitioning and organic producers with mentorship, community, and resources.

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• With TOPP, producers transitioning to organic will find support through the transition and certification process. Mentorship, workshops, webinars, field days, technical assistance, and other educational events will offer opportunities to learn about organic production, the certification process, market opportunities, and more.

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• TOPP also sponsors market development programs to grow national and regional markets for US organic products

Free Events

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• TOPP sponsors events around the country
• TOPP partners with VABF to sponsor workshops and events around Virginia throughout the year!

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• TOPP webinars can be accessed from anywhere around the country from farmers, certifiers, and experts from all 50 states

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• You do not need to be signed up for TOPP to come to events
• TOPP workshops and events are for all who find them interesting or useful
• Event calendars can be found on our website: www.organictransition.org

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• Direct year-long support

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• Advice from a farmer perspective

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• One-on-one or small group attention

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• Good for specific and broad questions

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• Guide through the whole certification process

• Short-term, focused support

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• Advice from a professional/certifier prospective

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• Assistance understanding regulations

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• Paperwork assistance

• Free to Access

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• Tailored to your needs and your farm

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• On your schedule

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• Connects you to existing organic networks, resources, & TOPP events

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Mentorship

Technical Assistance

Two Options for Transitioning Producers

Mentorship

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• Mentorships are 40 hours over 1 year - about 3 hours a month
• How those hours are used are decided entirely by the mentor and the mentee
• How the mentor and mentee wish to be in contact is up to them

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• There are minimal reporting requirements for mentorship - no tracking of hours

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• Mentors and mentees are expected to visit each other’s operations
• There is a $500 stipend available to mentees to help cover costs

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• Mentorships can be renewed if needed - including into the first year of certified production

Mentorship

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• Mentors have at least 3 years of organic certification
• Most mentors in our program have over 10 years of experience in certified organic

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• Mentorship can cover all organic scopes: crops, wild crops, livestock, and processing/handling
• Food Hubs, Distributors, and Meat Processors can all receive mentorship for organic processing and handling

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• Non-English speaking mentors are available - including many mentors who speak fluent Spanish

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• Mentorships are 100% free for mentees

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• Mentors get paid a stipend of $3000 per mentee
• pay rate of $75/hour

Technical Assistance

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• Every TOPP participant can get up to 10 hours of free technical assistance support
• Providers vary by state
• Remote support is also available

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• NRCS support through TOPP is being rolled out in 2025 - access varies by region

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• TA support can be for:
• Paperwork and recordkeeping support
• Organic compliance support
• Pest/weed management
• Soil fertility support

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• TA recipients must fill out the Mentee Application found on the organictransition.org website

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www.organictransition.org/

Resources

www.organictransition.org/

Organic Certifiers in Virginia

• Baystate Organic Certifiers (www.baystateorganic.org)
• CCOF Certification Services, LLC (www.ccof.org)
• Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (www.oeffa.org)
• OneCert, Inc. (www.onecert.com)
• Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (www.tilth.org)
• Organic Crop Improvement Association (www.ocia.org)
• Pennsylvania Certified Organic (www.paorganic.org)
• Quality Assurance International (www.qai-inc.com)
• Quality Certification Services (www.QCSinfo.org)
• Where Food Comes From Organic (www.wfcforganic.com)

How do I know if my materials/inputs are organic?

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• The OMRI Database keeps lists of substances that are allowed under the USDA organic certification.
• https://www.omri.org/

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• In the federal regulations:
• Materials/inputs - National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances- 205.600
• Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI,) CDA and WSDA

OMRI Product Lists

FAQs: Quick reference for organic regulations

• Land Requirements 202.202
• Compost requirements 205.203 (c) (1)
• Manure requirement 205.203 (c) (2)
• Seed Search requirements 205.204
• Perennial planting stock requirements 205.204
• Processor definition 205.2
• Handler definition 205.2
• Origin of Organic Livestock 205.236 and Livestock feed 205.237
• Dairy & Transition 205.236 (2)
• Grazing Season (Pasture) 205.237(c)

Organic Regulations

FAQ: Where can I learn more about the regulations?

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• USDA AMS - Organic Regulations
• Handbook
• Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) - implementation 3.20.24
• Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) -final rule published 11/2/23

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USDA AMS- Organic Regulations

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