Organic Links
USDA National Organic Program
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Organic Program
1120 N Street, Sacramento, California, USA 95814. T: 916.654.0466
Organic farms in the State of California are required to register with CDFA. The State Organic Program is also responsible for organic regulatory enforcement and complaints regarding labeling, fraud claims, and certification decision appeals.
California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
Organic Processed Product Registration Application Organic Processors and Handlers in the State of California are required to register with CDPH and can do so by visiting this website or calling the Food and Drug Branch Organic Product Registration Desk at (916) 650-6500. Formerly known as the Department of Health Services (DHS)
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas
ATTRA is the national sustainable farming information center operated by the private nonprofit National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). ATTRA provides technical assistance to farmers, Extension agents, market gardeners, agricultural researchers, and other ag professionals in all 50 states. ATTRA has a wealth of resources relating organic production, handling, marketing, certification, and pest control. Topics addressed by ATTRA can be categorized into three broad areas: sustainable farming production practices; alternative crop and livestock enterprises; and innovative marketing. Technical assistance, publications, and resources are provided free of charge to appropriate users.
Organic Materials Review Institute
OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to benefit the organic community and the general public. Its primary mission is to publish and disseminate generic and specific (brand name) lists of materials allowed and prohibited for use in the production, processing, and handling of organic food and fiber. OMRI also conducts scientific research and education on the use of materials by the organic industry.
Organic Ag Info
This website has been developed by the (SCOAR), (IFAFS) through the USDA Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES). The site contains information on production, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information, transition strategies, as well as many other subjects related to organic agriculture.
HowToGoOrganic™.com
Here you'll find an online collection of existing resources for anyone exploring how to transition to organic. The Organic Trade Association offers this premier resource to help cultivate the growth of organic farming.
Organic Farming Research Foundation
To sponsor research related to organic farming practices, to disseminate research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems, to educate the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues.
Local Harvest
Do you want fresh, locally grown food, but don't know where to find it? The Local Harvest map makes it easy to find family farms, farmers markets and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area. Local Harvest is a not-for-profit venture to sprout and grow a definitive and reliable "living" public directory of small farms nationwide, and in so doing to provide people with direct contact to farms in their local area.
 the Beyond Organic Radio Show
The Beyond Organic radio show is an unique environmental radio and multimedia program, addressing issues of organic food and farming, social and environmental sustainability. The show offers news, interviews and research that fills a void left by public and private broadcasters. It cover timely issues and trends, with guests ranging from award-winning author Michael Pollan ('Botany of Desire') and Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, to organic farmers and sustainable seafood specialists. Beyond Organic covers diverse-yet-interconnected issues including genetic engineering, Mad Cow Disease, dead zones, health, nutrition, Slow Food, cooking, gardening, Fair Trade and international trade policy.
 Wild Farm Alliance (WFA)
The Wild Farm Alliance was established by a national group of wildlands proponents and ecological farming advocates who share a concern for the land and its wild and human inhabitants. Their mission is to promote a healthy, viable agriculture that helps protect and restore wild Nature. WFA is working to educate growers and certifiers on biodiversity issues on organic farms and have these issues integrated into US National Organic Standards. Visit www.ccof.org/biodiversity.php for more information.
Community
Alliance with Family Farmers
Founded in 1978, the Community Alliance with Family Farmers is a
nonprofit member-activist organization. CAFF political and educational
campaigns are building a movement of rural and urban people who
foster family-scale agriculture that cares for the land, sustains
local economies, and promotes social justice. Members are urbanites,
farmers, environmentalists, rural activists, students, and anyone
concerned with the social and environmental dimensions of agriculture.
Ecological Farming Association
The Ecological Farming Association, formerly the Committee for Sustainable
Agriculture, is a non-profit educational organization that promotes
ecologically sound agriculture. Our special events bring people
together from all over the world to share ideas and experiences
in producing healthful food from a healthy earth.
World-Wide
Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
The International WWOOF Association is dedicated to helping those
who would like to volunteer on organic farms internationally. The
aims of WWOOF are to enable people to learn first-hand about organic
growing techniques, to enable town-dwellers to experience living
and helping on a farm, to help farmers make organic production a
viable alternative, and to improve communications within the organic
movement. If you are interested in working on a CCOF certified organic
farm, please visit CCOF Apprenticeships for more information.
The Alternative Farming Systems Information Center (AFSIC)
Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture
University
of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program
Established in 1980 with the California State Legislature's support
and encouragement, the University of California Statewide Integrated
Pest Management Project (UC IPM) develops and promotes the use of
integrated, ecologically sound pest management programs in California.
UC Sustainable
Agriculture Research and Education Program
SAREP provides leadership and support for scientific research and
education in agricultural and food systems that are economically
viable, conserve natural resources and biodiversity, and enhance
the quality of life in the state's communities. SAREP serves farmers,
farmworkers, ranchers, researchers, educators, regulators, policy
makers, industry professionals, consumers, and community organizations
across the state.
Organic Trade Association
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership based business association representing the organic industry in Canada, the United States and Mexico. Members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmer associations, brokers, manufacturers, consultants, distributors and retailers. Established in 1985 as the Organic Foods Production Association of North America, the Organic Trade Association works to promote organic products in the marketplace and to protect the integrity of organic standards.
IFOAM
(International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements)
IFOAM's goal is the worldwide adoption of ecologically, socially
and economically sound systems that are based on the principles
of Organic Agriculture. IFOAM's international standards are the
basis for CCOF's International Program for organic certification.
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