Organic Certification
Don’t know where to start, or chasing down a form? We’ve collected the background resources, certifiers, process guides, and regulatory information you’ll need below.
If you would like one-on-one guidance in navigating the certification process, deciding whether certification makes sense for your farm, or implementing organic practices, one of NOFA RI’s Organic Farm Advisors may be able to help.
First Steps
Read Is organic an option for me? From the USDA Organic Literacy Initiative
View the Organic Integrity Database to see the USDA Certified Organic and Transitional Farms in your area. Find opportunities to visit and learn from your farmer neighbors by visiting their farm shops or attending tours or events.
Join NOFA RI and attend our technical workshops and community events, meet fellow organic and transitioning farmers, and enjoy a free subscription to The Natural Farmer. Discounted rates and financial need scholarships are available.
Resources
The ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program produces a series of comprehensive guides explaining the National Organic Program (NOP) and certification process. They also offer resource portals on a variety of topics within agriculture, including agroforestry, equipment, food safety, marketing, pest management, soils, and more.
Introduction to Organic Practices (From USDA AMS - PDF file, 730 KB)
Making the Transition to Organic: Ten Farm Profiles (University of Minnesota - PDF file, 1.9 MB)
Organic Transition: A Business Planner for Farmers, Ranchers, and Food Entrepreneurs (From MN Institute of Sustainable Agriculture - PDF file, 3.6 MB)
Organic Transition Course (Rodale Institute)
Transition to Organic (From USDA AMS - PDF file, 1.8 MB)
The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), assembled by the USDA’s National Organic Program, supports farms and producers in transitioning from conventional to organic with mentorship and organic farming resources.
Cost Assistance & Technical Support
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.
Producers and handlers interested in applying for OCCSP through FSA should contact their local USDA Service Center.
The Transition to Organic Partnership Program, in partnership with local non-profit organizations, provides field-based assistance, workshops, field days, access to resources and peer-to-peer mentoring for transitioning farmers.
NRCS Conservation Assistance includes a new organic transition practice standard with mentorship and training by organic experts and sometimes, reimbursement for foregone income.
RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) is no longer a USDA National Organic Program (NOP)-accredited certifying agent as of 2023, but the Organic Program will continue to support organic operations through technical and financial assistance.
NOFA RI’s Farm Advisors Program funds experienced farmers to provide free technical assistance to beginning and established growers who want to improve their practices and receive guidance throughout the season.
Certifiers
The RI DEM Organic Farm Map lists the certifier for each farm in the state.
Most organic farms and businesses in Rhode Island work with Baystate Organic Certifiers:
Baystate Organic Certifiers is a USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agency providing organic certification to farm and processing operations throughout the continental United States. Several RI farms are certified through Baystate.
To see a list of Organic Certifiers, sort by state of operation in the USDA’s Organic Certifier Locator.
Regulations
National and state regulations apply to organic growing and certification:
General:
Acceptable Inputs:
Certified Organic Growers may use only material which have been approved by their certifier and listed on their approved organic farm plan. Inputs which certifiers determine as acceptable for use in organic farming are those approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), the EPA (for organic use) or by other USDA-accredited certification agencies.
Small Producers
Producers, handlers and processors with gross income from organic agricultural products over $5,000.00 annually must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier to receive the organic label. Small operations may be exempt from certification but must still comply with all production, handling and record-keeping requirements.
Transitional Farms
Certified organic fields have been managed organically for at least three consecutive years. Transitional fields have been farmed organically for at least twelve consecutive months. Produce or meats raised on a transitional field may not be represented or marketed as organic and may not be used as organic ingredients in other products.
