What is Organic Certification and Do I Need to Be Certified?

The National Organic Program (NOP) has published several Guidance Documents and Fact Sheets to help farmers and businesses determine if they need to become certified as organic.  

Please review these NOP documents to learn more about the basics of organic certification and if your operation needs to be certified.

• What is Organic Certification?
• Do I Need to Be Certified?
• Organic Livestock Requirements - NOP Guidance documents for organic livestock production: Pasture Rule, Dry Matter Intake (DMI) Requirements & Worksheet, etc.

Additional guidance documents can be accessed through the National Organic Program.

Certification Procedures

1. Applicants are responsible to read and familiarize themselves with both the New Hampshire state organic regulations - PART Agr 910 & Agr 911; and the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations which govern the certification program, 7 CFR Part 205 - Final Rule.
2. Applicants must complete an Organic System Plan (OSP) annually, for each type of certification being requested. (OSP = application)
3. Applicants must submit all applicable attachments as defined in each OSP.
4. Certification fees:
   • Fees must be submitted with each OSP
   • Crop, Wild Crops & Livestock: $100 non-refundable fee
   • Processors & handlers-other than "on-farm" processors: $250 non-refundable fee for the primary facility; and a $100 non-refundable fee for each additional processing facility
   • On-Farm processor: $50 non-refundable fee
5. Inspection fees:
   • In addition to the Certification fee, Inspection fees are submitted with the OSP for Crops, Wild Crops & Livestock
   • Crops & Wild Crops: a minimum $50 fee is required however, the fee increases incrementally with an increase in actual production area. Example: as acreage increases so does the inspection fee. See Fee Schedule TABLE Agr 911-1, pg VIII in PART AGR 911 in the NHDAMF Organic Program book. Inspection fees are submitted with OSP
   • Livestock: a minimum $50 fee is required however, the fee increases as the number of "Animal Units" increase. See Fee Schedule TABLE Agr 911-2 for organic livestock, pg VIII in PART Agr 911 in the NHDAMF Organic Program book. Inspection fees are submitted with OSP
   • Processors & Handlers: the inspection fee is calculated on a per hour basis, which is $35/hr, including travel time. Travel expenses to and from the applicant's facility is at a rate of $0.55 per mile. Billing for inspection services will be issued after the on-sight inspection is completed.
6. Submission deadlines for OSP:
   • Maple products: February 1st of each year, by 4PM close of business.
   • Crops: March 1st of each year, by 4PM close of business.
   • Livestock & livestock products: Submission of OSP accepted throughout the year, however, renewal OSP must be submitted within 6 months of Renewal Date as cited on producers' organic certificate.
   • Processors, Handlers & On-farm processors: OSP submission same as Livestock & Livestock products.