Crop Certification

Organic Crop Certification includes Field Crops, Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, Wild Crops, Mushrooms, Sprouts, Greenhouses, Maple

Certification is an annual process. Update paperwork & fees must be submitted and inspections must be scheduled every year.
Land to be certified must not have had prohibited synthetic herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers applied during the previous three years (this includes treated seeds).
Transplants used in organic production must be certified organic.
Certified organic seeds must be used if commercially available. At least three attempts to source organic seed from viable sources must be made and documented before using any untreated, non-GMO seed.
During inspections, all fields and facilities will be visited, practices will be verified and audit trail records will be reviewed. The certification fee includes inspection costs.
Maps must be provided of all fields to be certified. Fields and pastures must have an identification system, either names or numbers.
A soil nutrient analysis is strongly recommended for fields to be certified.
Potable water tests are requested annually as a NYS requirement for any operation that is washing crops or processing with any water other than municipal.
Farms must provide an equipment list and develop harvest records as a part of the complete audit trail system.
Crop production requirements include the use of crop rotation systems.
Buffer zones may be necessary if fields are adjacent to conventionally farmed fields.
For split operations, there are additional requirements for equipment cleanout, segregation of crops and more.

Organic Certification