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Summary: These brief videos walk you through how to complete each section of the Organic System Plan (OSP) for certification or renewal with Oregon Tilth. Whether you’re a new applicant or renewing your certification, these short videos show exactly what information we need and how to provide it correctly.
Overview
Your Organic System Plan (OSP) is the foundation of your organic certification. It describes your entire operation — what you produce, how it’s handled, and how you maintain compliance with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).
To make this process easier, Oregon Tilth created step-by-step video walkthroughs for each major OSP section. Each video helps you understand the intent behind every question and how to complete forms accurately, avoiding common delays or requests for more information.
These videos are ideal for:
- Farmers completing crop or livestock OSPs
- Processors and handlers preparing for inspection
- Brand owners and retailers working with certified supply chains
- New applicants learning the certification process
OSP Walkthrough Video Library
Each video below covers a different part of the Organic System Plan. Click the links to view tutorials.
1. Getting Started with Your Organic Fraud Prevention Plan
Learn what the OSP is, why it matters, and how to access your forms through
This walkthrough, from Oregon Tilth’s Education & Advocacy team, explains how to complete the Organic Fraud Prevention Plan (OFPP) module—required for most certified operations under the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule effective in 2023.
The OFPP helps every organic operation identify where fraud could occur in its supply chain and document the steps taken to prevent it. The goal is to protect the integrity of the organic label and maintain consumer trust.
You only need to complete this form if your operation purchases or sources certified organic ingredients or products. If you don’t buy or handle organic materials from others (for example, you only grow or harvest your own crops), this section doesn’t apply.
What the Plan Includes
- Responsible staff: List the people managing fraud prevention, including job titles and contact information.
- Reporting procedures: Indicate how suspected fraud will be reported (Oregon Tilth, NOP, or CDFA for California).
- Supply chain map: Provide a simple diagram showing how certified organic products move from supplier to your operation. Include each product, supplier, and transport step.
- Critical control points: Identify where fraud risks could occur (such as during sourcing or transport) and describe prevention measures like verifying certificates or cleaning shared trucks.
- Vulnerability assessment: Use the table to note where fraud is most likely, how you mitigate those risks, and how you monitor compliance—such as checking the Organic Integrity Database annually.
- Monitoring and updates: Explain how your operation reviews the effectiveness of its plan (internal audits, mock traceability checks, regular updates).
Key Takeaways
- The OFPP is now required in every Organic System Plan.
- It ensures your supply chain is traceable and verifiable from source to sale.
- Even small or low-risk operations benefit from documenting fraud prevention steps.
- Oregon Tilth’s certification staff are available to answer questions and review your plan.
Watch the full walkthrough video to see how to complete each part of the form and understand what information Oregon Tilth looks for during review.
2. Mammals OSP Walkthrough Video
This walkthrough video explains how to complete the Livestock Organic System Plan (OSP) for mammalian species such as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs. You’ll learn how to accurately describe your operation, document compliance with organic standards, and prepare for inspection. The video follows each section of the livestock OSP and highlights what Oregon Tilth reviewers look for to ensure your certification meets USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) requirements.
The Mammals OSP walkthrough video is designed to help farmers, ranchers, and producers clearly communicate how animals are managed organically from birth through sale or product processing.
What This Walkthrough Covers
Overview of the Organic System Plan
Introduces how the livestock OSP functions as the foundation of certification, outlining your operation’s activities, structure, and compliance approach.
Livestock Activities Checklist (L1)
Explains how to identify which livestock activities apply to your operation—such as breeding, raising, boarding, or finishing—so you complete only the relevant OSP forms.
Operation Information
Shows how to fill in general information about your livestock operation, including animal types, numbers, management systems, and key contacts.
Livestock Origin — Mammals (L2M)
Covers how to document that all animals are under continuous organic management, including origin records from birth or last third of gestation, and maintaining traceability.
Livestock Feed and Water (L3R & L3NR)
Explains how to document feed sourcing, rations, and water management for both ruminant and non-ruminant mammals. Highlights feed verification, supplier certification, and ingredient tracking.
Livestock Healthcare (L4)
Details preventive healthcare practices, permitted treatments, vaccination records, and the prohibition of antibiotics or other restricted materials under organic rules.
Livestock Living Conditions — Mammals & Non-Avian (L5M)
Describes housing and living condition requirements, including access to pasture, outdoor areas, clean bedding, shelter, and appropriate space for movement.
Livestock Pasture Management (L6)
Explains how to document your grazing plan, including pasture access days, dry matter intake (DMI) calculations, and rotation schedules for compliance with pasture requirements.
Livestock Product Processing, Storage, and Packaging (L7)
Covers procedures for on-farm or off-site handling of organic livestock products like milk or meat, ensuring segregation and traceability throughout processing and storage.
Livestock Labeling, Handling, and Transport (L8)
Provides guidance for describing product labeling, transportation practices, and how organic products remain separate from non-organic products during handling.
Livestock Recordkeeping (L9)
Shows how to maintain organized records demonstrating compliance—such as feed purchase logs, treatment records, movement logs, and certification documentation.
Livestock Materials List (L10)
Walks through how to list all materials used in livestock production, including feed additives, cleaning agents, and health products, confirming they are allowed under NOP standards or OMRI-listed.
Key Takeaways
- The Livestock OSP builds a complete picture of your animal management practices and compliance system.
- Clear documentation and accurate forms help avoid certification delays and streamline inspections.
- Maintaining thorough records supports transparency, traceability, and consumer trust in the organic label.
- Oregon Tilth’s certification team is available to answer questions about completing any part of your OSP.
Watch the Mammals OSP walkthrough video to understand each section in depth and complete your forms confidently.
3. Avian OSP Walkthrough Video
This walkthrough video explains how to complete the Livestock Organic System Plan (OSP) for avian species, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other poultry. It covers each section of the OSP and shows how to document your management practices so they meet all USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) requirements.
The Avian OSP module helps producers describe every part of their poultry operation—from chick sourcing and feed management to living conditions, labeling, and recordkeeping—so certification review and inspection go smoothly.
What This Walkthrough Covers
Overview of the Organic System Plan
Explains the purpose of the OSP as your operation’s main compliance document, outlining how birds are managed organically throughout their lifecycle.
Livestock Activities Checklist (L1)
Shows how to identify which poultry activities apply to your farm, such as breeding, egg production, meat production, or custom hatching. Completing this checklist ensures you submit only the relevant forms.
Operation Information (O1)
Guides you through describing your poultry operation structure, including location details, the types and number of birds, and contact information for responsible staff.
Livestock Origin — Poultry (L2P)
Covers how to verify that birds are managed organically from the second day of life, including maintaining supplier certificates, hatchery documentation, and bird identification records.
Livestock Feed and Water — Non-Ruminant (L3NR)
Explains how to record feed sourcing and water management for poultry. Emphasizes documenting feed rations, verifying organic certificates for suppliers, and ensuring consistent access to clean water.
Livestock Healthcare (L4)
Describes how to maintain flock health through preventive practices—such as vaccination, sanitation, and stress reduction—while avoiding the use of prohibited substances like antibiotics or synthetic growth promoters.
Livestock Living Conditions (L5A)
Outlines housing and welfare requirements for poultry, including access to outdoors, natural light, perches, dust baths, and adequate space. Demonstrates how to document compliance with organic welfare standards.
Livestock Product Processing, Storage, and Packaging (L7)
Covers how to record on-farm or off-farm handling of eggs or meat products to maintain organic integrity. Includes segregation procedures, cleaning protocols, and packaging documentation.
Livestock Sales, Labeling, Handling, and Transport (L8)
Explains how to describe sales channels, product labeling, and transportation procedures, ensuring products remain clearly identified and separated from non-organic goods.
Livestock Recordkeeping (L9)
Highlights the importance of maintaining complete, organized records—such as feed purchase receipts, flock treatment logs, mortality records, and sales documentation—for easy inspection verification.
Livestock Materials List (L10)
Walks through how to list every input used in poultry production, including health supplements, cleaning products, and pest control materials. Confirms how to check whether materials are NOP-compliant or OMRI-listed.
Key Takeaways
- The Avian OSP helps you show how your poultry operation maintains organic integrity from chick to market.
- Accurate and detailed documentation supports faster certification review and smoother inspections.
- Keeping records current and organized reduces compliance risks under SOE requirements.
- Oregon Tilth’s certification team is available to answer questions and guide you through each OSP section.
Watch the Avian OSP walkthrough video to complete your forms accurately and ensure your poultry management practices meet organic standards.
4. Crop OSP Walkthrough Video
This walkthrough video, from Oregon Tilth’s Applicant Experience Specialist, explains how to complete the Crop Organic System Plan (OSP) for certified growers. It provides a detailed overview of each section, helping you describe your operation accurately, avoid common mistakes, and ensure full compliance with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) requirements.
The Crop OSP module is ideal for farmers and growers of all sizes, from small-scale operations to large diversified farms, and helps you document every part of your production system clearly for certification and inspection.
What This Walkthrough Covers
Crop Application Overview
Introduces how the Crop OSP fits within the overall certification process and what information Oregon Tilth reviewers need to verify compliance.
Activities Checklist for Growers (C1)
Helps you identify which crop production activities apply to your operation, such as planting, harvesting, or processing. Completing this checklist ensures you only fill out the relevant forms.
Operation Information (O1)
Guides you through describing your farm operation, including business details, contact information, production sites, and a summary of your organic activities.
Crops Acreage and Land History (C2)
Explains how to report acreage, maps, and field histories for all parcels. Covers the three-year organic transition period and documentation needed to verify no prohibited substances were applied.
Seeds, Planting Stock, and Transplants (C3)
Shows how to document seed sourcing, including verification that all seeds are organic and untreated. Explains what to do when organic seed is not commercially available and how to record that search.
Soil and Crop Fertility Management (C4)
Outlines how to describe your fertility practices, including compost, manure, cover crops, and approved soil amendments. Demonstrates how to list inputs and show how nutrient management supports soil health.
Pest, Disease, and Weed Management (C5)
Covers the prevention-based approach to pest and weed control required under organic standards. Explains how to record biological, mechanical, and cultural methods, and when use of approved inputs is allowed.
Natural Resource and Biodiversity Conservation (C6)
Highlights requirements for maintaining or improving soil, water, and wildlife resources. Describes how to document practices that protect biodiversity, pollinators, and natural habitats.
Harvest, Processing, Storage, and Transport (C7)
Explains how to record your harvest methods and post-harvest handling practices to maintain organic integrity. Includes how to prevent commingling and contamination during storage and transport.
Labeling and Sales (C8)
Describes how to submit product labels and sales information for review. Clarifies what claims are allowed (e.g., “100% Organic,” “Organic”) and what documentation must accompany retail or wholesale products.
Contamination Prevention (C9)
Covers how to describe buffer zones, equipment cleaning procedures, and practices that prevent contact with prohibited materials or drift from non-organic fields.
Materials List (C11)
Shows how to complete your materials list with all inputs used in production and post-harvest handling. Explains how to verify that each input is compliant with NOP regulations or OMRI-listed.
Recordkeeping (C12)
Explains how to maintain organized records demonstrating compliance—such as seed invoices, input receipts, harvest logs, and sales records—for inspection and renewal.
Closing and Next Steps
Encourages applicants to review their full OSP before submission and outlines how to connect with Oregon Tilth staff for questions or additional guidance.
Key Takeaways
- The Crop OSP is the foundation of organic certification and must describe your entire farming system.
- Accurate, complete forms and supporting documents make the review and inspection process smoother.
- Keeping your OSP updated throughout the year ensures continuous compliance under SOE.
- Oregon Tilth staff are available to provide technical support and answer questions about any section.
Watch the Crop OSP walkthrough video to complete your forms confidently and ensure your operation meets organic standards from soil to sale.
5. Processing & Handling OSP Walkthrough Video
This walkthrough video, from Oregon Tilth’s Applicant Experience Specialist, explains how to complete the Handling Organic System Plan (OSP) for processors, handlers, and manufacturers of organic products. It covers each section of the plan, helping you describe your facility, product formulations, and processes to meet USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) requirements.
The Handling OSP is essential for processors, packers, distributors, and private-label brand owners who process, repackage, or store organic products. This video helps ensure your OSP is complete, compliant, and inspection-ready.
What This Walkthrough Covers
Handling Application Overview
Introduces how the Handling OSP fits into the certification process and what documentation is required for facilities that manufacture, process, or package organic products.
Activities Checklist for Handlers (H1)
Guides you in identifying which handling activities apply to your business—such as processing, packaging, repackaging, labeling, or storage—so you complete only the necessary OSP sections.
Operation Information (O1)
Covers how to provide basic information about your handling operation, including business structure, facility locations, responsible contacts, and organic activities.
Facility Information (H2)
Explains how to describe your processing facility, including layout, equipment, and workflow to demonstrate how organic integrity is maintained from receiving to shipping.
Product Summary (H3)
Outlines how to summarize all organic products you handle, including product types, processing activities, and whether they are made in-house or by a co-packer.
Master Product List (MPL)
Shows how to complete the Master Product List form, listing every organic product produced, processed, or packaged at your facility, along with its certification status.
Master Ingredient List (MIL)
Explains how to list every ingredient used in your organic products, including each supplier and verification that ingredients are certified organic or approved under NOP standards.
Product Formulation Sheet (PFS)
Covers how to complete formulation sheets for each multi-ingredient organic product, detailing exact ingredient percentages, sources, and organic verification documents.
Livestock Feed Product Summary (H4)
For operations that manufacture or handle organic livestock feed, this section shows how to document formulations and processing methods that maintain organic integrity.
Sanitation and Water Practices (H5)
Explains how to describe your sanitation and cleaning procedures, including what materials are used, how residues are prevented from contaminating organic products, and how water quality is maintained.
Receiving, Storage, Packaging, and Shipping (H6)
Details how to document each step in product handling, including how organic and non-organic materials are segregated, labeled, and traceable from receipt through distribution.
Facility Pest Management (H7)
Outlines how to describe your pest control system, including preventive measures, physical barriers, and approved materials, in compliance with organic regulations.
Recordkeeping Practices (H8)
Shows how to organize and maintain documentation verifying organic status—such as invoices, ingredient certifications, cleaning logs, and traceability records—for easy inspection access.
Closing and Next Steps
Encourages applicants to review their completed OSP for accuracy, submit through MyOTCO, and contact Oregon Tilth staff for any questions or technical guidance.
Key Takeaways
- The Handling OSP demonstrates how your facility protects organic integrity at every step.
- Clear documentation of ingredients, suppliers, and processes supports faster review and inspection.
- Accurate forms ensure compliance with SOE and NOP requirements for all organic handlers.
- Oregon Tilth’s team is available to assist with form completion, product lists, and compliance questions.
Watch the Handling OSP walkthrough video to confidently complete your plan and prepare your operation for organic certification.
Why These Videos Matter
- Faster review: Complete and accurate forms reduce back-and-forth with certification staff.
- Clear expectations: Understand what documentation Oregon Tilth requires.
- Confidence: Know exactly how to describe your organic system to meet NOP standards.
- Support anytime: Rewatch videos as a refresher before inspection or renewal.
Tips for Success
- Always use the latest OSP version found on the Oregon Tilth website or MyOTCO portal.
- Keep records organized (seed tags, invoices, input logs) before starting.
- Watch the general overview video first to understand certification flow.
- If you manage multiple scopes (e.g., crops + livestock), complete separate OSPs for each.
- Contact your Certification Officer if you’re unsure how a question applies to your operation.
Technical Details (For Advanced Users)
- All OSP walkthrough videos align with current USDA NOP 205 standards and Oregon Tilth policies.
- Videos are updated when forms or regulations change.
- Subtitles are available in English and Spanish for accessibility.
- Recommended browsers: Chrome or Firefox (latest versions).
Watch Now
Access the full video library on our website:
Oregon Tilth OSP Walkthrough Video Library ›