Seed and Plant Stock
Sourcing Certified Organic Seed and Planting Stock
Summary: Certified organic farms must use certified organic seeds, annual seedlings, and planting stock when available. If suitable organic versions are not commercially available, you may use non-organic untreated versions—but only after a documented search and approval. GMO seeds and treated seeds are never allowed.
Certified Organic Seed and Plant Stock Requirements
If you’re certified under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), you\’re required to use organic seed and planting stock when available. This applies to all farms growing crops for organic sale. The only exceptions are based on documented commercial unavailability.
How to Source Certified Organic Seed
Where can I find organic seeds?
Start by reviewing your seed suppliers, and check these trusted organic seed databases:
When purchasing, retain supplier invoices and organic certificates to verify compliance.
Are annual seedlings required to be organic?
Yes. All annual transplants must be certified organic. Only in the case of a USDA-declared natural disaster can non-organic annual seedlings be used.
Do sprouting seeds have to be organic?
Yes. Seeds for edible sprouts must always be certified organic — no exceptions.
Commercial Availability Search
If organic seed or planting stock is not available in the right form, quality, or quantity, you must conduct a commercial availability search.
What counts as a valid commercial availability search?
- Search at least three reliable suppliers.
- Compare key traits like disease resistance, maturity days, or size.
- Cost is not a valid reason to choose non-organic seed.
- Document your search efforts, including phone logs, emails, screenshots, and catalog notes.
📄 Required forms:
Submit completed forms to your OTCO client service team.
Using Non-Organic Seed (When Allowed)
If approved by OTCO, non-organic seed may be used only if:
- It is untreated — no fungicides or prohibited substances.
- All inputs (e.g., coatings or pelleting) are reviewed and approved by OTCO.
- You have completed and documented a commercial availability search.
What does “untreated” mean?
Non-organic seed must not be treated with prohibited substances. For example, seeds treated with fungicides or synthetic coatings are not allowed.
What if treated seed is accidentally used?
Use of treated seed with prohibited substances may result in loss of certification for the affected production area for up to three years.
Are GMO seeds ever allowed?
No. Genetically engineered (GE or GMO) seeds are never allowed in organic production.
Using Non-Organic Plant Starts (Planting Stock)
When organic planting stock is not available, non-organic plant starts may be used — but only after approval.
Definition of planting stock:
Any plant material used for propagation except annual seedlings — including tubers, crowns, rhizomes, cuttings, shoots, and plugs.
Requirements to use non-organic plant stock:
- Conduct a commercial availability search (3 sources minimum).
- Obtain approval from OTCO before use.
- Ensure it is untreated (no prohibited post-harvest substances).
Are there any always-organic planting stock requirements?
Only annual seedlings must always be certified organic.
What about perennial planting stock?
- For crop production, you may sell the crop as organic immediately after OTCO approval.
- For planting stock production, it must be organically managed for at least 12 months before sale as organic.
Cleaning Equipment for Organic Seed
Seed cleaning must prevent contamination from non-organic seeds or residues.
When must seed cleaning be documented?
Whenever you use shared or mixed-use equipment that also handles non-organic seed.
Cleaning methods include:
- Dry cleaning: Brushes, vacuums, air blasts
- Purging: Running a small amount of organic seed through the system and discarding it
What documentation is required?
Keep cleaning logs, dates, photos, and descriptions of the cleaning process. These records will be reviewed during your inspection.
Summary: What’s Always Required?
| Item | Must Be Organic | Exceptions Allowed? |
|---|---|---|
| Annual seedlings | ✅ Yes | Only after USDA-declared disaster |
| Seeds for edible sprouts | ✅ Yes | No exceptions |
| Planting stock (perennial) | 🔶 Not always | Allowed if commercial search fails + approved |
| Treated seeds | ❌ Never allowed | No exceptions |
| GMO seeds or plant stock | ❌ Never allowed | No exceptions |
Resources & Forms
- Commercial Availability Form (required for non-organic use requests)
- Commercial Availability Record for Seed and Planting Stock
- Lessons Learned: [How C-R View Dairy manages seed sourcing and recordkeeping]