Activities not covered by crop certification

Any certified organic farm that produces a finished, multi-ingredient processed product using more than on-farm produced organic agricultural ingredients, water, and salt, must obtain organic handler (processing) certification.

What are examples of activities that require handler certification?

For instance, if an apple orchard wants to make cider, but doesn’t produce enough apples on-site and purchases apples from a neighboring certified organic farm. Additionally, if a vegetable grower wants to pickle and preserve certain on-farm produced vegetable crops, but then adds a purchased certified organic hot sauce to the finished product.

What if my farm processes both organic and non-organic products?

Farms that process — with the exception of packaging — both organic and non-organic processed products must apply for handler certification.

If I have an on-farm handler certification, can I handle other farms’ products?

Just because you may be approved for on-farm handling does not mean that you are eligible to handle products from other operations. Do not jeopardize the certification of your farm or of the other operation.