by Eric Soderholm, Organic Production Coordinator

Once you choose a certifying agent to work with to certify your operation as USDA Organic, you will be asked to complete an application that provides information about your operation. This application serves as your farm’s Organic System Plan (OSP) and will be your first formal communication with your certifying agent as they assess whether your operation is in compliance with National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. It is a good idea to spend some time reviewing a blank application to understand what information you will need to gather and document. The amount of time it takes to successfully certify your farm will depend on the amount of detail you include in your OSP. If it is incomplete or lacks necessary specifics, you will be asked for additional information and will thus delay the next steps of the certification. This process can already take a minimum of two months, so plan ahead and be thorough.

If you really want to understand the nitty-gritty of the components of an OSP, I highly recommend you check out the following ATTRA publication:

Organic System Plans: Market Farms and Greenhouses by George Kuepper and a stakeholder team representing the organic community.

This comprehensive document walks you through each page of the somewhat standard application used by most certifying agents. It explains what information you must provide and why it is relevant. Do not be misled by the name of this useful resource: large-scale vegetable producers have to submit the same Organic System Plan as smaller, more diversified producers and will find the step-by-step format just as helpful in understanding what goes into the OSP.

Writing down what has happened on your farm for the past three years and what your plans are for the coming season may seem daunting, especially since your OSP is a legally binding document. Keep in mind that it is possible to make changes to it throughout the year if you run into unforeseen difficulties and must deviate from your intended plans. Be sure to maintain open communication with your certifying agent about these potential changes and avoid acting impulsively without notifying them.

When you do need to make a change, such as using a new input or changing your cropping plants, your certifying agent should supply you with some form of written confirmation (including email) that the change has been made officially in your OSP. You should keep a record of these communications for future reference.

How can CFSA help you in your efforts to successfully develop an OSP?

We assist with Conservation Planning for farmers transitioning their operations to certified organic.

The CPA 138 and DIA 140 are your farm’s ticket to apply for financial assistance through the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).  It is also the nuts and bolts of your Organic System Plan for Certification.

Completed in consultation with a technical service provider, Conservation Activity Plans identify conservation practices that address site-specific natural resource needs experienced during the transition to organic production.  After completion of a CAP, producers can apply for cost-share assistance through EQIP-OI to implement conservation practices identified in the plan (check to see if you are eligible for NRCS cost-share).

CPAs also serve as the basis for the organic farm plans required by the National Organic Program (NOP) by identifying practices relevant to NOP requirements for farm planning, management and certification, like:

  • establishment of soil-building rotations
  • establishment of field borders and buffers; beneficial and wildlife habitat
  • organic nutrient management and cover cropping

We offer Organic Certification Technical Assistance services!

We offer FREE technical assistance to a limited number of farmers applying for organic certification.

Services that CFSA staff will offer:

  • Guidance in choosing a certifying agent
  • Q&A on NOP regulations relevant to your operation
  • Guidance in appropriate record-keeping systems and farm maps
  • Careful review of your Organic System Plan, accompanying records, and all other certification application materials