Add crop land to my certification

In all cases, new land is required to be inspected before it can be added to your certification.

What information and forms are needed to add land to my certificate?

To add land to an existing certificate, the following is required:

• Completion of a C2 form (and possibly a land transfer form)
• Parcel identification
• Parcel geographic location (address, township, range)
• 36 month land history, including all inputs, seeds, and crops
• Complete maps of the location, including borders and buffer areas

Is there a difference to add adjacent versus separate field parcels?

If you are applying for multiple fields that have adjacent borders, they can be considered one contiguous “parcel” and should be included on one C2 form, unless the fields have different land histories. A separate C2 form is required for all non-contiguous parcels which do not border each other, and for any parcels that are not yet eligible for organic (i.e. transitional).

What makes a land history affirmation acceptable?

Signed land history affirmations must include the 36 months prior to your application to be eligible for organic production. If you have managed the land less than 36 months, previous land managers can sign and attest to land history. If all 36 months of history is not available, then land eligibility will begin from the last date of affirmation.

How do I add land that is leased or that I do not own?

To add land to your certification for property you do not own — but where you have a lease/ management agreement with the owner — indicate the lease arrangement on the C2 form and contact OTCO if you have any questions about leased land certification requirements.

Can I add new crops with a land addition request?

If you are adding new crops, other sections of your Organic System Plan (OSP) may need to be updated (e.g., crop rotation, materials, etc.). Crop production that is significantly different from your existing production will require an inspection.

Can I harvest from new land before inspection and certification approval?

For current OTCO-certified producers in good standing, crops from new land may be harvested but not sold or represented as organic prior to the inspection.

The following restrictions apply:

• Product must stay within approved locations per your OSP, be segregated, and you must keep appropriate storage and movement records
• Harvested product may not be fed to organic livestock until approved
• Land acreage must match the amount of harvested product and visually show recent harvest
• Recordkeeping must be complete and auditable to show organic eligibility

When is the best time to request a land addition?

To save money and time, the best option is to request land be added with your annual renewal. If the land is added during the regular renewal process, no additional fees are assessed except for inspector time and travel to get to the new site. Land added outside of the renewal process will require an additional inspection and added expenses. If needed, we offer an expedited service program for an additional fee.