"Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products."
Understand the regulatory landscape for organic agriculture, including the laws, regulations, and programs that govern organic production, labeling, and trade.
Introduction to Organic Agriculture: This covers the history, philosophy, principles, and objectives of organic agriculture.
Organic Standards and Regulations: This covers the various national and international standards that have been developed to define and regulate organic agriculture, and provides an overview of the regulatory framework for organic agriculture.
Organic Certification: This covers the certification process, requirements for certification, and roles of certifying bodies.
Organic Farming Systems: This covers the various types of organic farming systems, including biodynamic, permaculture, and natural farming.
Soil Management and Fertility: This covers the principles and practices of soil management and fertility, including the use of compost, cover crops, crop rotations, and organic fertilizers.
Pest and Disease Management: This covers the principles and practices of pest and disease management in organic agriculture, including the use of biological control, crop rotation, and companion planting.
Crop Production: This covers the principles and practices of crop production in organic agriculture, including seed selection, planting, and harvesting.
Livestock Production: This covers the principles and practices of livestock production in organic agriculture, including animal welfare, feed management, and disease control.
Processing and Handling: This covers the principles and practices of organic food processing and handling, including packaging, labeling, and storage.
Marketing and Economics: This covers the principles and practices of organic marketing and economics, including consumer demand, pricing, and distribution.
Organic Certification and Trade: This covers the role of organic certification in supporting trade and market access for organic products, including the development of international organic standards and regulations.
Organic Research and Development: This covers the importance of research and development in organic agriculture, including the development of new organic farming techniques, crop varieties, and organic inputs.
Organic Policy and Advocacy: This covers the importance of policy and advocacy in promoting and supporting organic agriculture at the national and international level.
Organic Farm Business Planning: This covers the principles and practices of organic farm business planning, including financial planning, risk management, and marketing strategies.
USDA Organic: The USDA Organic program is a federal standard that regulates the farming practices, soil quality, and product labeling of organic crops and livestock.
EU Organic: The EU Organic program is a set of regulations that cover the farming practices, processing, and labeling of organic products produced within the European Union.
JAS Organic: The JAS Organic program is a Japanese standard that regulates the production and labeling of organic agricultural products.
Bio Suisse: This is a Swiss organic standard that regulates organic farming and the processing of agricultural products.
Demeter International: Demeter International is a biodynamic farming certification that heavily emphasizes a holistic approach to agriculture, soil health, and environmental sustainability.
Soil Association Organic: This is a UK-based standard that certifies and regulates organic agriculture and food production.
Naturland Organic: This is a German standard that certifies and regulates organic agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry.
IFOAM: Organics International: This is an international association of organic farmers that promotes and advocates for global organic standards and practices.
Canada Organic: This is a Canadian standard that sets guidelines for organic farming practices, product labeling, and certification.
USDA National Organic Program Organic Aquaculture Standard: This is a standard that regulates the farming practices and product labeling of organic aquaculture, such as fish and shellfish.
Nordic Organic Food Label: This is a standard that regulates the farming practices and processing of organic food products within Nordic countries.
COSMOS Organic: This is a standard that regulates the production and labeling of organic cosmetics and personal care products.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): The Global Organic Textile Standard is an international standard that regulates the production and labeling of organic textile products.
Regenerative Organic Certified: This is a standard that takes a more holistic approach to farming and focuses on regenerating the environment, rebuilding soil health and reducing carbon emissions.
USDA Certified Transitional: This certification is for the farms that are transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture.
USDA Grass Fed: This certification is for meat and dairy products which come from animals that have been fed with grass and forage only in their lifetime.
Rainforest Alliance Certified: This certification is for the agriculture, forestry and tourism sectors which focuses on biodiversity conservation, sustainability, and community support.
"In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers, and restaurants."
"A lesser-known counterpart is certification for organic textiles (or organic clothing) that includes certification of textile products made from organically grown fibers."
"Requirements vary from country to country and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging, and shipping."
"avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives), irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge"
"use of farmland that has been free from prohibited chemical inputs for a number of years (often, three or more)"
"adhering to specific requirements for feed, housing, and breeding"
"keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail)"
"maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products"
"Certified organic producers are subject to the same agricultural, food safety, and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers."
"Certified organic foods are not necessarily pesticide-free, as certain pesticides are allowed."
"in the European Union more commonly known as ecological or biological products"
"In some countries, certification is overseen by the government."
"avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs (e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives), irradiation, and the use of sewage sludge"
"use of farmland that has been free from prohibited chemical inputs for a number of years (often, three or more)"
"adhering to specific requirements for feed, housing, and breeding"
"keeping detailed written production and sales records (audit trail)"
"maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products"
"Certified organic producers are subject to the same agricultural, food safety, and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers."
"Certified organic foods are not necessarily pesticide-free, as certain pesticides are allowed."