There Are Many Organic Certifiers
In our new video, Tricia shops for organic produce at a farmers' market and talks about what "organic" means. With fruits and vegetables it means they were grown organically. But who sets the rules that determine if something is "organic"? Actually, several groups can do that. It's sort of an alphabet soup of organizations, but we'll lay it all out for you here.
The big kahuna is the USDA and its National Organic Program. In a nutshell, the USDA defines "organic" as "a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used."
The USDA National Organic Program [NOP]
The USDA decides which farms and businesses meet organic standards by doing on-site, rubber-boots-on-the-ground inspections. The USDA National Organic Program can't carry out all the visits itself so it works with selected organizations that make certifying inspections in their own geographic areas.
An earlier certifier was CCOF in California. The California Certified Organic Farmers group was founded in 1973 by local organic growers. CCOF continues to advocate for organic farming, and is the leading official organic certifier for the USDA. Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply has been certified by CCOF as an organic seed handler. Oregon Tilth is another regional group that acts as a certifier for the USDA NOP. Demeter certifies organic growers for the USDA -- with an interesting addition. Demeter also certifies for biodynamic farming.
OMRI certifies farming materials
What do organic farmers use in their fields? Organic seeds, from companies like us, plus farming supplies that are certified by OMRI [Organic Materials Review Institute]. Created in the late 1980s by CCOF and Oregon Tilth as a materials and testing program, OMRI is now the primary organic materials review clearinghouse in the country. So there you have it -- the cast of characters that evaluate organic farms. Next time you buy organic produce at a farmers' market or the grocery store you'll know what's behind the "organic" label.Choose seed with confidence
Our heirloom, organic, and non-GMO seed guide explains the terms shoppers see most often. When you are ready to compare varieties, browse organic seeds.
How organic oversight works in practice
In the United States, the USDA National Organic Program establishes federal organic standards. Accredited certifying agents inspect and certify farms and businesses that use the organic label under those rules. State agencies may also have enforcement or certification roles, but a private garden using organic practices is not automatically a certified organic operation.
What certification does—and does not—tell you
Certification addresses how an agricultural product was produced and handled under an audited standard. It is different from variety type, heirloom status, open pollination, genetic modification, or local production. A seed can be organic and hybrid, or heirloom and not certified organic. Read each descriptor separately.
Questions to ask when shopping
- Is the item explicitly labeled certified organic?
- Which traits matter for the garden: maturity, disease resistance, flavor, climate fit, or seed-saving potential?
- Does the packet provide a lot number, germination information, and clear growing directions?
- Are substitutes acceptable if a preferred organic variety is unavailable?
For formal compliance decisions, use current USDA and certifier guidance. For home-garden selection, combine label meaning with crop performance and the conditions in your own garden.
Check current rules when compliance matters
Organic regulations and allowed-material interpretations can change. A business making label claims should confirm current requirements with its certifier or the USDA rather than relying on a general gardening article. Home gardeners can still use the standards as a reference while choosing practices suited to their soil, climate, and goals.