A foundational guide for Extension Agents and Technical Service Providers (TSPs).
This factsheet provides a concise overview of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, designed to help you effectively support farmers in the Northwestern US as they navigate organic certification and the 36-month transition period.
What’s Covered:
- The Certification Roadmap: A step-by-step breakdown from developing an Organic Systems Plan (OSP) to the final on-site inspection.
- Recordkeeping Essentials: A checklist of mandatory logs, including field history, seed sources, and soil amendments.
- Crop & Land Standards: Rules on buffer zones, crop rotations, and OMRI-approved materials.
- Livestock & Pasture: Requirements for organic management timelines, grazing (DMI), and animal welfare.
Additionally, three organic farmers based in the Northwest, Beth Hoiknaki of Goodfoot Farm in Philomath, Oregon, April Jones Thatcher of April Joy Farm in Ridgefield, Washington, and Diane Green of Greentree Naturals in Sand Point, Idaho, share advice for extension agents and technical service providers when working with organic producers.
Prefer to listen? Watch our Organic 101 for Extension Agents in the West webinar.
In the first half of this informative session, you will learn the basic principles of organic certification and become familiar with organic standards. During the second half, three farmer panelists share their experiences in becoming certified organic producers in the West.
Certified Crop Advisors can earn 1.0 Professional Development Continuing Education Unit (CEU) following completion of the webinar.
