Certified+Organic

[|Organic Certification Process] =What is the process required for a farmer or manufacturer to have his or her products 'Certified Organic'? = = =

To become certified organic you have to go through the process of becoming certified.

If you are a farmer of organic produce you have to make sure your fields have not been sprayed with anything chemical for at least 3 years. That means you can still plant your crops but you are not allowed to treat the crop with pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Only approved organic products are allowed.

After three years of going organic you can apply for certification. A USDA approved certifier will have to come to the farm and make sure that all steps of the organic certification process are properly taken care of. The [|USDA] and the [|NOP] have strict guidelines the farmer and the certifier have to follow. If the farmer gets approved the certifier's seal will be placed on the organic product. This assures the consumer that the product they are buying as organic actually is 100% organic. After the certification was successful you have to follow a plan by describing practices and substances used in production. The plan implements a record-keeping system, and practices to prevent commingling of organic and non-organic products to prevent contact of products with prohibited substances. Applicants for certification must keep accurate post-certification records for 5 years.