Organic Seed Resources

National Organic Program (NOP) Seed Rules | Organic Seed Lists | Organic Seed Suppliers

National Organic Program (NOP) Seed and Planting Stock Regulations

The National Organic Program rules stipulate that organic seeds MUST be used in organic production when commercially available. This includes annual, perennial, and cover crops. Commercial availability is defined by the NOP as "the ability to obtain a production input in an appropriate form, quality, and quantity to fulfill an essential function in a system of organic production or handling, as determined by the certifying agent in the course of reviewing the organic plan".

Organic seeds MUST be used to produce organic sprouts. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Document your search for organic seed and planting stock. Organic producers are required to provide ongoing evidence of active attempts to source organic seeds and/or planting stock such as logs showing calls made, product/supplier catalogues, letters received, or other demonstrations of good faith efforts. Such evidence must also be provided in the event that organic seed or planting stock does not provide the necessary level of quality or provide the desired function. CCOF strictly reviews this process annually to maintain the integrity of organic food production and to encourage our members to actively search for organic seeds.

Growers must verify that third parties, who provide nonorganic seed or planting stock, have searched for organic seed. CCOF must be able to verify that a commercial availability search was conducted for all nonorganic seed or planting stock. If a buyer provides you with nonorganic seed or planting stock you must obtain documentation from the buyer that demonstrates a search for organic seed or planting stock was conducted. Examples of this documentation include call logs, seed catalogues, or statements from seed suppliers. Your inspector will ask for this information at all inspections.

Test/trial organic seed to find seed with the characteristics and qualities you need. If growers cannot find specific organic seed in the quality or quantity they require then trialing other organic varieties should be considered. First identify the qualities that are sought in organic seed. For example: disease resistance, drought tolerance, hybrid uniformity, size, color, flavor or any other market or grower preferences. Then seek out organic varieties that are available and conduct trials to see if the organic seed can meet your needs.

Any non organic seeds used must be Non-GMO and untreated or Non-GMO and treated only with substances listed as allowed on the National List. Seeds treated with prohibited materials are NOT allowed in organic production. If you plan to use seed that is treated, coated, inoculated or pelletized with any substance you must confirm that the substance in use is approved.

Annual transplant stock MUST be certified organic. Growers purchasing annual transplants must maintain current NOP certificates from suppliers and have purchase invoices showing the transplants purchased are organic. These documents will be reviewed annually at your inspection.

Non organic planting stock to be sold again as planting stock (not a crop) must be managed organically for one year prior to sale as organic. Growers are required to show records demonstrating that the planting stock was managed organically for one year and that it was not sold as organic until the eligibility date was met, with the exception of crops harvested from the plant. Such records include: planting stock purchase receipts, planting records, input application records, input invoices, harvest records and sales records. These records will be reviewed at all inspections.

Certified organic growers are required to utilize organic seed unless organic versions are commercially unavailable.

Commercial availability means the ability to obtain seeds in an appropriate form, quality, or quantity to fulfill an essential function in a system of organic production, and is determined by CCOF in the course of reviewing the Organic System Plan.

If organic seeds are not commercially available, non-organic seeds are allowed only if they are non-GMO, and either untreated or treated ONLY with allowed substances.

CCOF certified operations are required to demonstrate good faith attempts to source organic versions prior to utilizing non-organic seed. This documentation may be in the form of a log showing calls made, product/supplier catalogues, letters received, or other efforts on your part.

Organic Seed Lists

Organic seeds can be sourced using the following lists:

University of California Organic Farming Compliance Handbook - Seed Sources

Montana Department of Agriculture Organic Seed Resources

Organic Seed Supply Companies

Abundant Life Seeds P.O. Box 157 Saginaw, OR 97472 Phone: (541) 767-9606
Albert Lea Seed House P.O. Box 127 Albert Lea, MN 56007 Phone: 1 (800) 352-5247
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds 2278 Baker Creek Road Mansfield, MO 65704 Phone: (417) 924-8917 Fax: (417) 924-8887
Blue River Hybrids 27087 Timber Road Kelley, IA 50134 Phone: (800) 370-7979 Fax: (515) 233-3069
Botanical Interests Inc. 660 Compton Street Broomfield, CO 80020 Phone: 1 (800) 486-2647
Bountiful Gardens 18001 Shafer Ranch Road Willits, CA 95490 Phone: (707) 459-6410 Fax: (707) 459-1925
BURPEE 300 Park Avenue Warminster, PA 18974 Phone: 1 (800) 888-1447 Fax: 1 (800) 333-5808
California Seed Production, Inc. P.O. Box 848 Gilroy, CA 95021 Phone: (408) 427-6805 robert@calseed.com
Christie Farms 38165 Richardson Gap Road Scio, OR 97374-9756 Phone: (503) 394-3192 Fax: (503) 394-2631
The Cooks Garden P.O. Box C5030 Warminster, PA 18974-0574 Phone: 1 (800) 457-9703
Cutter Asparagus Seed 516 Young Ave Arbuckle, CA 95912 Phone: (888) 391-3647
DLF International Seeds 175 W. H Street Halsey, OR 97348 Phone: (800) 445-2251
Doebler's PA Hybrids Inc. 202 Tiadaghton Avenue Jersey Shore, PA 17740 Phone: (570) 753-3210 Fax: (570) 753-5302
Ebbesson Farms 3165 Anella Ave Fairbanks, AK 99709 Phone: (907) 497-0440 Fax: (907) 452-7783
Eckhart Seed Company P.O. Box 7176 Speckles, CA 93962 Phone: (831) 758-0925
Environmental Seed Producers P.O. Box 2709 Lompoc, CA 93438 Phone: (805) 735-8888
Ferry-Morse Seed Company 600 Stephen Beale Dr. Fulton, KY 42041 Phone: (270) 472-3400
Filaree Farm 182 Conconully Hwy Okanogan, WA 98840 Phone: (509) 422-6940
Fred C. Gloeckner & Company Inc. 600 Mamaroneck Avenue Harrison, NY 10528-1631 Phone: 1 (800) 345-3787 Fax: (914) 698-0848
Gardens Alive 5100 Schenley Place Lawrenceburg, IA 47025 Phone: (513) 354-1482
Great Harvest Organics 6803 East 276th Street Atlanta, IN 46031 Phone: (317) 984-6685 Fax: (317) 984-2364
Harmony Farm Supply 3244 Highway 116 North Sebastopol, CA 95472 Phone: (707) 823-9125
Harris Seeds 355 Paul Road Rochester, NY 14624-0966 Phone: 1 (800) 544-7938
Headstart Nursery 4860 Monterey Road Gilroy, CA 95020 Phone: (408) 842-3030
Hermosa Valley Garden Seeds P.O. Box 1409 Santa Maria, CA 93456 Phone: (877) 834-7333 Fax: (805) 925-4140
High Mowing Organic Seeds 76 Quarry Rd. Wolcott, VT 05680 Phone: (802) 472-6174
Hood River Garlic P.O. Box 1701 Hood River, OR 97031 Phone: (541) 386-1220
Horizon Herbs LLC P.O. Box 69 Williams, OR 97544 Phone: (541) 846-6704 Fax: (541) 846-6233
Irish Eyes Inc. P.O. Box 204 Thorp, WA 98946 Phone: 1 (800) 964-9210
Jacobsen Orchards 22 Tallent Lane Yountville, CA 94599 Phone: (707) 944-1279
J.L. Hudson, Seedsman P.O. Box 337 La Honda, CA 94020-9733 Email: inquiry@jlhudsonseeds.net
Johnny's Selected Seeds 955 Benton Ave. Winslow, ME 04901 Phone: (877) 564-6697
Keithly-Williams 268 Commission St. Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 424-3971
King's Agriseed LLC 96 Paradise Lane Ronks, PA 17572 Phone: (717) 687-6224
Kitazawa P.O. Box 13220 Oakland, CA 94661-3220 Phone: (510) 595-1198 Fax: (510) 595-1860
L.A Hearne Company 512 Metz Rd. King City, CA 93930 Phone: (831) 385-5441
Lakeview Organic Grain P.O Box 361 Penn Yan, NY 14527 Phone/Fax: (315) 531-1038
Lancaster Agriculture Products 60 N Ronks Road Ronks, PA 17572 Phone: (717) 687-9222 Fax: (717) 687-9355
Lawler Farm Center 206 S Lincoln St Lawler, IA 52154 Phone: 1 (800) 352-5247
Lockwood Seed and Grain 26777 Chowchilla Blvd Chowchilla, CA 93610 Phone: (559) 665-5702
Lonesome Whistle Farm 2241 River Loop #1 Eugene, OR 97404 Phone: (541) 345-3415
Lone Willow Ranch 11356 Road 5 ½ Firebaugh, CA 93622 Phone: (559) 694-0017
The Maine Potato Lady P.O. Box 65 Guilford, ME 04443 Phone: (207) 343-2270
Masters Choice 3010 St. Rt. 146 E Anna, IL 62906 Phone: (866) 444-1044
Meadow Creek Enterprise 130 North Ave., P.O. Box 445 Dickeyville, WI 53808 Phone: 608-586-7564
Mountain Valley Growers 38325 Pepperwood Road Squaw Valley, CA 93675 Phone: (559) 338-2775 Fax: (559) 338-0075
Natural Gardening Company P.O. Box 750776 Petaluma, CA 94975 Phone: (707) 766-9303
Nichols Garden Nursery 1190 Old Salem Rd NE Albany, OR 97321 Phone: (800) 422-3985 Fax: (800) 231-5306
North American Seed Company, Inc. 41801 Espinosa Road Greenfield, CA 93927 Phone: (831) 674-3037
Omega Seed P.O. Box 167 Glenn, CA 95943 Phone: (530) 934-5149
Osborne Seed Company, LLC 2428 Old Highway 99 South Mount Vernon, WA 98273 Phone: (360) 424-7333
Pacific Botanicals LLC 4840 Fish Hatchery Rd Grants Pass, OR 97527 Phone: (541) 479-7777 Fax: (541) 479-7780
Park Seed Company 1 Parkton Avenue Greenwood, SC 29647 Phone: 1 (800) 845-3369
Peaceful Valley Farm Supply 125 Clydesdale Ct. Grass Valley, CA 95945 Phone: (888) 784-1722
Praying Mantis Farm 32263 S Kropf Rd Canby, OR 97013 Phone: (503) 651-2627
Pybas Vegetable Seed Company P.O. Box 868 Santa Maria, CA 93456 Phone: (805) 922-4624
Rancho Purisima Farms P.O. Box 5096 Santa Maria, CA 93456 Phone: (805) 922-7414 Email: purisima@mindspring.com
Redwood City Seed Co. P.O. Box 361 Redwood City, CA 94064 Phone: (650) 325-7333 Fax: (650) 325-4056
Redwood Organic Farm P.O. Box 431 Manton, CA 96059 Phone: (530) 524-5537
Rohrer Seeds 2472 Old Philadelphia Pike Smoketown, PA 17576 Phone: (717) 299-2571 Fax: (800) 468-4944
Ronniger Potato Farm LLC 20094 N. State Hwy. 149 Powderhorn, CO 81243 Phone: (208) 267-7938
S & S Seeds dba Environmental Seed Producers P.O. Box 947 Albany, CA 97321 Phone: (541) 928-5868
Seed Savers Exchange 3094 North Winn Road Decorah, IA 52101 Phone: (563) 382-5990 Fax (orders): (563) 382-6511 Fax (general): (563) 382-5872
Seed Dynamics, Inc. P.O. Box 6069 Salinas, CA 93912 Phone: (831) 424-1177
Seeds By Design, Inc. P.O. Box 602 Maxwell, CA 95955 Phone: (530) 934-8086
Seeds of Change 1364 Rufina Circle #5 Santa Fe, NM 97501 Phone: (888) 762-7333
Seeds Trust P.O. Box 4619 Ketchum, ID 83340 Phone: (208) 788-4363 Fax: (208) 788-3452
Seedway LLC 99 Industrial Rd Elizabethtown, PA 17022 Phone: (800) 952-7333 Fax: (717) 367-0837
Shamrock Seed Company 3 Harris Place Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 771-1500
Siskiyou Seeds 3220 East Fork Rd. Williams, OR 97544 Phone: (541) 846-9233
Snow Seed Company 21855 Rosehart Way Salinas, CA 93908 Phone: (831) 758-9869
Sourcepoint Organic Seeds 26422 Moss Road Hotchkiss, CO 86419 Phone: (970) 872-4941
Southern Exposure Seed Exchange P.O. Box 460 Mineral, VA 23117 Phone: (540) 894-9480 Fax: (540) 894-9481
Summerstone Nursery P.O. Box 274 Morrison, TN 37357 Phone: (931) 668-7991 Fax: (931) 668-7992
Sunnyland Seeds P.O. Box 385 Paradox, CO 81429 Phone: (970) 859-7248
Sustainable Seed Company P.O. Box 636 Petaluma, CA 94952 Phone: (707) 703-1242
Sweet Corn Organic Nursery 7030 Fir Drive Show Low, AZ 85901 Phone: (928) 537-2676
Syngenta Lettuce Seed Company, Inc. P.O. Box 868 Santa Maria, CA 93456 Phone: (805) 922-4624
Terra Organics P.O. Box 171 Maxwell, CA 95955 Phone: (530) 438-2126
Territorial Seed Company P.O. Box 158 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Phone: (800) 626-0866 Fax: (888) 657-3131
Thunderfoot/Earthworks-Sow Organic Seeds P.O. Box 527 Eugene, OR 97544 Phone: (888) 709-7333
TomatoFest Garden Seeds P.O. Box 628 Little River, CA 95456
Top Notch Seeds, Inc. P.O. Box 4 Brawley, CA 92227 Phone: (760) 344-9700
Upstream Natives, a division of Stalford Seed Farms P.O. Box 268 Tangent, OR 97389 Phone: (541) 926-4611 Fax: (541) 926-5038
Uprising Seeds 2208 Iron St. Bellingham, WA 98225 Phone: (360) 201-0468
Vitalis Organic Seeds 7 Harris Place Salinas, CA 93901 Phone: (831) 262-7635
Weaver Seed of Oregon P.O. Box 67 Crabtree, OR Phone: (541) 924-9701 Fax: (541) 924-9702
Welter Seed and Honey Company 17724 Hwy 136 Onslow, IA 52321 Phone: 1 (800) 470-3325
Wheatgrass Kits 1041 North 450 West Springville, UT 84663 Phone: (801) 491-8700 Fax: (801) 491-8728
White Seed Company P.O. Box 6108 Oxnard, CA 93031 Phone: (805) 983-4923 Fax: (805) 983-1282
Wild Garden Seed P.O. Box 1509 Philomath, OR 97379 Phone: (541) 929-4068
W-L Research P.O. Box 8112 Madison, WI 53708-8112 Phone: (608) 295-3566
Wood Prairie Farm 49 Kinney Road Bridgewater, ME 04735 Phone: 1 (800) 829-9765 Fax: 1 (800) 300-6494

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