Organic Certification Application materials for 2009 can be found on the "Apply for Organic Certification" page. An application packet including the 2009 Practice Manual and the application forms can also be received in the mail, please send us a note along with $10.00 and be sure to mention the type of production you want to certify (crops, livestock, maple syrup, processing). Mail the request to MOFGA Certification Services, POB 170, Unity, ME 04988. Make your check or money order payable to MOFGA Certification.
Please be aware that, although a farmer may still choose to be certified, a farmer or processor with a gross annual income of less than $5,000 from organic sales is exempt from certification under the National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule (NOP 205.101). However, this rule does not apply to a farmer or producer whose product is used in any certified organic product. In this case the less than $5000 producer must be certified.
About the certification process.
The Certification Process is fairly straightforward (depending on the producer). Before you apply please read the practice manual (found on the "Apply for Organic Certification" page) to determine if your farm and/or products are eligible for certification. If you think your farm and/or products are eligible for certification, complete and submit the necessary paper work, found on the "Apply for Organic Certification" page, by the appropriate deadlines.
For deadline specifics please refer to the Practice Manual. Maple syrup applications are due by February 18th. The deadline for new farming operations that involve crops is April 18. After these dates, applications are subject to a late fee. Because inspections must be done during the growing season, we do not accept crop applications after July 1st unless the application is for winter greenhouse production. If you are a livestock producer and your fields are a significant source of feed for your animals, you will also need to submit your application by the April 18 deadline. We accept applications for non-farm processing or handling year round. Please note that we have a special application process for transitioning dairies. If you wish to certify a dairy, please contact us directly about the 12-month transition process.
There is an annual certification fee that is based on gross annual income for all organic products. Please refer to the " Apply for Organic Certification Page" for specifics. Please note: All producers receive a State of Maine Rebate. Farms making less than $10,000 gross income will receive an additional MOFGA Rebate.
After you have submitted your paperwork, MOFGA Certification staff will review it for completeness. If incomplete, you will be notified of what is needed to complete your application. Once the paperwork is complete, it is sent to our review committee. If the review committee has any question you will be contacted for clarification. If not, an inspector will be assigned. The inspector will contact you to schedule your on-site inspection, inspect your operation and will then complete an inspection report. This report is sent to the review committee, who will make a recommendation for/against certification to the MCS Board President, who makes the final decision to grant certification.
Once the decision is made to grant certification, you will receive your Organic Certificate and Product Verification documents.
Certified producers are required to keep the MOFGA Certification office up to date about significant changes on their organic farm plan when they occur during the year (NOP 205.400(f)(2)).
In order to remain certified each year you will receive an annual update packet to review, update and return to the MCS office along with your annual certification fee. In addition, an inspector will be assigned each year to perform your annual inspection (NOP 205.406).
MOFGA publishes in its newspaper (MOF&G) a list of all MCS certified growers and applicants. MCS also maintains on the MOFGA website a searchable database of certified producers and their products. This list is a way to connect MOFGA certified organic farmers with potential buyers throughout the year.
If you have any questions about certification, please feel free to contact MOFGA Certification Services at 568-4142 or by email at certification@mofga.org.