Help Center

Your organic crop certification covers simple processing and handling of on-farm produced crops.

What types of activities does crop certification cover?

Some sample activities covered by crop certification include: washing, drying, storing, sorting, ensiling, and packing, packaging and labeling. Additional on-farm processing activities may be included and covered with livestock certification.

Am I able to pack and label my own simple processed products?

Farms packing and labeling their own products — under their own brand, or for another brand — are eligible to do so provided it is clearly outlined in the Organic System Plan and documented appropriately.

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.

Is seed cleaning a processing activity?

No, on-farm seed cleaning is considered a continuation of harvest, not processing. If the farm is a split operation seed producer, it must have adequate contamination prevention procedures in the OSP, but is not required to have handling 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.