Producer Inquiry Packet

Transcription

1 Producer Inquiry Packet MOFGA Certification Services, LLC Mail: P.O. Box 170, Unity, ME Phone: (207) Fax: (207) Web:

2 Thank you for your interest in certifying with MOFGA Certification Services (MCS). We are an accredited certification agency established in 2002 by the Maine Organic Farmer s and Gardener s Association (MOFGA). In 2012, MCS certified over 400 operations to the USDA National Organic Program standard. We strive to make the process of certification clear, open and transparent. Feel free to contact us at any time. MCS Staff Mary Yurlina, Director Kate Newkirk, Associate Director Processing/Handling; IT Manager Jacomijn Schravesande-Gardei, Associate Director of Crops Joan Cheetham, Certification Specialist Katie Webb, Dairy Certification Specialist Grace Keown, Certification Assistant Jake Galle, Inspector What are the Steps to Organic Certification? Step 1. Contact MCS to request an application packet or download it from our website www. mofgacertification.org. Call us with any questions you have. Step 2. Read the appropriate MCS guidance documents for information on organic standards, the certification process and requirements specific to your operation. Step 3. Complete the application packet and submit fees. If you have questions please contact the MCS staff at certification@mofga.org or call Step 4. Application review - we review your application and notify if any information is missing. When complete, we send confirmation. Next, the application is reviewed for compliance with the National Organic Standards and we notify if any further information is needed. Step 5. Organic inspection - After step 4 is complete an inspector will contact you to schedule an on-site inspection. The inspector observes how your operation and records conform to your organic system plan (application). The inspector writes a report that is returned to MCS (you get a copy). Step 6. Inspection report review - If additional information is needed before a certification decision can be made, you will be given time to provide it. Step 7. Certification The MCS Board Director makes the certification decision. The decision letter may include conditions for changes that you need to implement. We mail your organic certificate and you may then sell products as certified organic. Step 8. Continuing certification Certification is maintained with an annual update of your organic system plan and an annual fee and inspection. If any compliance issues are not corrected, your certificate can be suspended or revoked. **Please note that at any time you may withdraw your application for certification or surrender your organic certificate. This must be done in writing. How Much will Certification Cost? The annual certification fee is based on gross annual income from all organic products. The table below shows 2013 fees for the first 6 income categories for farms. Please note: Producers in Maine are eligible for a federal reimbursement of 75% of certification expenses up to $750. Farms making less than $10,000 gross income can choose to receive an additional MOFGA Rebate. The last column of the table below shows your actual expenses after these rebates. Please contact our office for complete fee information. In addition to the certification fee, a new applicant fee of $50 is required for operations not certified the previous year.

3 2013 Fees for Farms Actual Expense Actual Expense (select after State after State and Income at least $0 But less than $2,500 Annual Fee $ â ) Rebate $81.25 MOFGA Rebate $ ,500 5,000 $ $93.75 $ ,000 10,000 $ $ $ ,000 25,000 $ $ ,000 40,000 $ $ , ,000 $ $ , ,000 $ $ What are the Application Deadlines? For most crop farms the application deadline is June 30th. We accept processor applications year round, while applications for maple syrup are due February 1st. For livestock and other types of operations please contact the MCS office. Frequently Asked Questions What is the $5,000 exemption? Per section of the National Organic Standards, producers whose gross annual income from organic sales is $5000 or less are exempt from certification. However, exempt producers must still comply with all applicable organic production and handling requirements and products from exempt operations may not be used in organic processed products produced by an organic handling operation. What is the USDA s role? The USDA administers the National Organic Program (NOP) and the National Organic Program Standards. The NOP accredits certifying agencies, such as MCS, thereby ensuring that certifiers are following the National Organic Standard. What is the role of MOFGA Certification Services, LLC (MCS)? MCS evaluates producers, processors, and handlers to determine whether they conform to the organic standards. Those who conform are certified and allowed to use a logo, product statement, or certificate to document their products as certified organic. How is MOFGA Certification Services different from MOFGA? MCS is a subsidiary of MOFGA. MCS annually reviews farm and food processor practices to ensure that food labeled as certified organic meets nationally accepted organic standards. MOFGA is a farming advocacy organization that works to promote a local, organic and sustainable food system. What are the benefits of being certified with MOFGA Certification Services? The MOFGA Certification logo is trusted by consumers and will benefit the marketing of your organic products. In addition we offer further benefits: 25% ad discount in the MOFGA newspaper and Organic Maine Directory $30 discount on booth fees for the Common Ground Fair farmers market Free listing and automatic updates in MOFGA on-line and print directories Complimentary copy of the MOFGA quarterly newspaper Discounts on MOFGA educational events Free technical and marketing advice from MOFGA specialists Networking opportunities at events and workshops

4 Is MCS the only certification option in Maine? No. You must use a certifier that is USDA accredited. A list of accredited certifiers can be found on the USDA NOP website What if my farm or processing facility is not in Maine, can I still be certified by MCS? MCS certifies in Maine, however there are rare situations where we will provide certification services outside of the state. An additional fee may apply. Please contact the office for more information. How long does it take to get certified? The process may take several weeks to several months, depending on the complexity of the operation and completeness of the application. An inspection must take place during production, which means that for seasonal producers there are times of the year when an inspection is not feasible. If questions or compliance issues are identified at any point in the process, these must be addressed. An incomplete application (including fees) must be completed before certification can be granted. Because of these factors, it is not possible to guarantee certification within a certain time frame, but our advice is to plan ahead and submit a complete application several months before you anticipate needing certification. What kind of records do I have to keep? Good record keeping is important for certification. Crop producers should keep the following records: Seed/seedling/perennials purchase records Field activity records (amendments, pesticides, planting dates, manure applications, crop rotation, field histories, etc.) Compost production records Clean out log for equipment used on non-certified land Receipts and labels for purchased inputs Harvest and saleq`s records (depend on scale and complexity of farm) Please contact MCS if you would like information on records for livestock and processing operations. All records must be available at the time of inspection and saved for five years. Certified producers are required to keep MCS up to date about changes to their organic system plan. What about inspections conducted by MCS? Once an updated organic system plan or application has been reviewed, an inspector will be assigned. Crop producers are inspected during the growing season. The inspector will contact you to set up a time. Inspectors verify organic farming practices and check all records. The inspector writes a report on which certification decisions are based. How do I prepare for an inspection? Review the MCS guidance documents relevant for your operation Review your certification paperwork Gather records that will be needed for the inspection An authorized person with knowledge of the operation must be present Are there resources available to help me transition to organic? Through the USDA NRCS you can sign up for a Conservation Plan Supporting Organic Transition. Someone will help you with certification paperwork and understanding the NOP rule. Please contact Katy Green, Organic Transitions Coordinator, (kgreen@mofga.org). Where can I find more information about organics and organic certification? The National Organic Program (NOP) website ( has the full NOP rule and the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. The MCS website ( has information and forms. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) ( lists products approved for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing. The MOFGA websites ( and are informative and provide access to an online community. The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) ( resources offer guidance in preparing for certification, as well as production and marketing methods for a range of organic crops and livestock.

5 Request for Organic Certification Application Packet 2013 forms will be ready around the second week of January Forms are available free of charge at If you would like a paper copy please complete the following: Name Address Town State Zip Phone Fax Please send me the application packet for the following categories of organic production: Crops Blueberries Livestock Dairy (dairy intent form should be completed first) Maple Syrup Processor On-farm processor Other Enclosed is the $15 Application Packet Fee. ÛIf you are unsure which forms you need please contact the certification office. Please return this form and your $15 payment to MOFGA Certification Services, P.O. Box 170, Unity, ME Phone: (207) Fax: Thank you for your interest in Organic Certification!