MOFGA Certification Services, LLC

2006 Organic Certification Instructions for New Producers

Everyone applying for certification, no matter what they produce or where, must complete the following three forms: (1) Certification Application (Step 2 below), (2) Fees Form (Step 3 below), and (3) the Organic Producers' Endorsement (Affidavit). Everyone will also need to complete SUPPLEMENT forms, and the required supplements will vary depending on what is being produced for organic certification. The steps below have been designed to help you determine what forms you need to complete.

Includes Access to Download All Current Application Forms and Materials All of the paperwork you will need to apply for organic certification is available to download here by clicking on the linked forms. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader (available in many versions, including for Macintosh, Windows, and *nix) to open and print these files. If you do not have the Reader, follow the Adobe link below to download your free copy.

2006 Certification Process:

STEP 1. Read the 2006 PRACTICE MANUAL (download links below). It explains what practices are permitted, and what practices are prohibited. It describes the certification process, fees, and refund policies. It also contains handy information like the National Organic Program Rule.

The 2006 Practice Manual consists of four sections:

• The 2006 Practice Manual - MOFGA Certification Services' own guide for certification (PDF Format, 370 Kb size)
• Appendix I - a consolidated version of the currently updated (as of Nov 2003) amended National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (PDF Format, 198 Kb size)
• Appendix II - the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule 7 CRF Part 205.1-205.681 (link to USDA web site)
• Appendix III - USDA NOP Labelling Packaged Products Table (link to USDA web site)

Please download and read all four.

Download specific deadline dates for 2006 applications/renewals. (PDF Format, 44 Kb size)

STEP 2. Complete the CERTIFICATION APPLICATION (PDF Format, 95 Kb size). This is a basic application form that is to be filled out by everyone. It provides us with contact information for you, as well as marketing information for your products. Completing this form will also help you determine what supplements you will need to complete.

STEP 3. Complete the FEES FORM (PDF Format, 80 Kb size). This is a green form in the paper packet. The basic fee schedule is on the form. Information about additional fees is presented in the Practice Manual.

STEP 4. All farmers and gardeners need to complete the ORGANIC FARM PLAN (PDF Format, 160 Kb size). Even dairy and livestock producers need to submit this form.

The only producers that do not need to submit this form are pure processors or handlers-those operations that produce or handle processed products and have no on-farm component. (Pure processors or handlers need to submit a special organic system plan form for processors and handlers- contact MCS for more information.)

STEP 5. Determine whether you need the CROP SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 89 Kb size). Most farmers will need this form. If you till land for crops, or manage land for pasture, you will need to submit this form. This includes all farmers or gardeners with vegetables, herbs, fruits, or flowers, as well as dairy and livestock producers with pasture, hay, corn or grains.

STEP 6. Determine whether you need the PROCESSOR SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 117 Kb size). If you are a farmer and you make value-added products like jams, jellies, breads, cheese, or teas, you will need to complete this form. If you slaughter and package your own meat birds, you will need to complete this form. Please refer to the Practice Manual for a complete description of what constitutes "processing" and who needs to be certified. If you are entirely or primarily not a farm but you are a manufacturer/processor/handler of organic agricultural products, please contact MCS. Our staff would like to talk to you before you submit your application. We have a special organic system plan form that we will mail to you.

STEP 7. Determine whether you need the DAIRY SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 159 Kb size). If you sell organic milk, you need to complete this form. Please contact MOFGA for more information about the organic transition process for dairies.

Important Dairy Herd Conversion Information: MCS requires dairies to inform MCS of their intent to become certified organic at the beginning of the transition year. This is accomplished by completeing an INTENT TO TRANSITION (PDF Format, 117 Kb size) form. Click here for more information about dairy transition.

STEP 8. Determine whether you need the LIVESTOCK SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 162 Kb size). If you sell organic meat or eggs, you need to complete this form for every species of animal you have in production. Dairy farmers marketing organic veal or beef from cull cows will need to complete this form as well.

STEP 9. Determine whether you need the MAPLE SYRUP SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 113 Kb size). Major maple syrup producers need to submit their application as early as possible so that an inspection takes place during tapping season. Please refer to the Practice Manual.

STEP 10. Determine whether you need any other supplements for other organic products that we certify. These include:

• MUSHROOMS (PDF Format, 71 Kb size),
• HONEY (PDF Format, 76 Kb size),
• SPROUTS (PDF Format, 7 Kb size).

STEP 11. Determine whether you need FIELD HISTORY FORMS (PDF Format, 114 Kb size). All farmers with crops or pasture need to complete a Field History Form for each field or parcel that they manage for organic production. This form chronicles soil amendments, insect and disease control, and crop rotation for at least the last 3 years.

STEP 12. Determine whether you need a GREENHOUSE HISTORY FORM (PDF Format, 46 Kb size). All but the tiniest greenhouses should submit this form. Contact MCS to find out whether your greenhouse qualifies.

LAST STEPS: All applicants for certification or certification renewal need to sign the ORGANIC PRODUCERS' ENDORSEMENT (PDF Format, 86 Kb size). The same individuals listed on the Certification Application need to sign this document. There is a limit of two individuals that may appear on the certificate. The LOGO USE FORM should be completed if you intend to use MOFGA's Certified Organic Logo.

Please make a COPY of your completed application for your files before you mail it. Make sure that you have signed the Organic Producers' Endorsement, and that you have enclosed a check or money order for the appropriate fees. Please contact anyone at MCS if you have any questions.