Understanding the Organic Certification Process

In this episode of Voices from the Field, Martin Guerena, a sustainable agriculture specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s western regional office in Davis, California, speaks with Sean Feder, director of inspection operations for California Certified Organic Farmers. 

Their wide-ranging conversation covers the certification process, the organic transition period, producers’ organic system plan, the cost of certification for small growers, climate change and other looming issues, as well as the future of organics. 

Related ATTRA Resources: 

• Guide for Organic Crop Producers  
• Organic Standards for Livestock Production: Excerpts of USDA’s National Organic Program Regulations  
• Organic Certification Process 
• Organic System Plans: Field and Row Crops and Pasture and Range Systems  
• Organic Standards for Handling: Excerpts of USDA’s National Organic Program Regulations  
• Organic Considerations 
• Organics in Pennsylvania 
• Organic Regulation, Certification, Transition History 

Other Resources: 

• California Certified Organic Farmers  
• USDA Organic Certification and Accreditation 

Contact Martin Guerena via email at [email protected]. 

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