Organic Seed Resources
National Organic Program (NOP) Seed Rules | Organic Seed Lists | Organic Seed Suppliers
National Organic Program (NOP) Seed Rules
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 producers are required to provide evidence of active attempts to source organic seeds 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 stock does not provide the necessary level of quality or provide the desired function.
In the event that organic seed stock is not commercially available and/or is not of the quality needed, non organic seeds may be used with the following exceptions:
• Organic sprouts MUST use organic seeds.
• Annual transplants MUST come from a certified organic source.
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.
Planting stock must also come from organic sources when commercially available. Annual transplant stock MUST be certified organic. Non organic planting stock may be used for perennial crops; however, products may not be sold as organic until one year after organic production begins.
CCOF certified members are required to demonstrate active attempts at searching for organic seeds prior to use of a non-organic seed. CCOF strictly reviews this process to maintain the integrity of organic food production and to encourage our members to actively search for organic seeds.
Organic Seed Lists
Organic seeds can be sourced using the following lists:
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA) - Seed Supplier Search
Database providing sources for organic seed of both agronomic and horticultural crops.
Organic Materials Rewiew Institute (OMRI) Seed Database
OMRI's goal is to allow growers and certifiers a single place to find supplies of organic seed.
Organic Seed Sourcing Service
Organic Seed Sourcing Service provides a way for growers to send organic "wish lists" and receive comprehensive lists of dealers that sell those requested seeds. Their goal is to continue to provide this service free of charge to growers.
Organic Seed Alliance
The Organic Seed Alliance is founded on the belief that seed is both our common cultural heritage and a living natural resource fundamental to the future sustainability of food production. The Alliance supports the ethical development and stewardship of seed.
University of California Organic Farming Compliance Handbook - Seed Sources
Organic Seed Supply Companies
Albert Lea Seed House
The Albert Lee Seed House is a family owned and operated business that offers one of the largest selections of organic inputs in the country. |
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Environmental Seed Producers
Wholesale supplier to retail-oriented seed companies and to large area landscaping users. |
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Ferry-Morse Seed Company
Established 1856 — Celebrating 145 Years in the American Seed Business. The "Source of Nature" online catalog of seeds includes over 80 open-pollinated (non-hybrid) varieties of Herbs, Vegetables and Flowers.
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Harris Seeds
Full service flower and vegetable seed company, since 1879, with many Harris exclusives. Extensive line of untreated and organic vegetable seeds and plugs and line for ornamental growers. |
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Headstart Nursery
Founded in 1979. Offers certified transplants, vegetable transplants and seedlings. |
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High Mowing Seed
Since 1996, High Mowing Organic Seeds has been providing high quality open-pollinated and hybrid vegetable, flower and herb seeds to farmers, gardeners and retailers. We supply only 100% Certified Organic seeds in both small quantities and bulk. Many of our varieties are improved by years of production and selection under organic conditions. Our variety trailing program screens and evaluated hundreds of varieties annually and finds the best for commercial production. All of our seed is professionally cleaned, sized, germination, vigor and pathology tested to ensure only the highest quality. We ship year round, within 24 hours and our knowledgeable staff are always available to assist with you questions. |
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Johnny's Selected Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds is an employee-owned, international seed company serving fresh market and small commercial growers and home gardeners since 1973. Johnny’s offers many organic and untreated varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, and cover crop/farm seed as well as a line of dependable, problem-solving tools and supplies. We ship year round and all of Johnny’s products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee. |
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Keithly-Williams
Keithly-Williams Seeds was founded in 1981 in response to the need for local farmers to have ready-access to a wide variety of quality vegetable seed products. |
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L.A Hearne
Many organic seed varieties and mixes. |
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Lockwood Seed and Grain
26777 Chowchilla Blvd, Chowchilla CA 93610,
T: 559.665.5702
The #1 supplier of untreated cover crop seed in California, including peas, beans, vetches, clovers, barley, ryegrain, oats, grasses, and custom mixtures. |
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Lone Willow Organic Heirlooms
Long time CCOF organic grower and committee member John Teixera is now offering Certified Organic heirloom tomatos and tomato seed. |
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Natural Gardening Company
Natural Gardening Company was started in 1986 out of the belief that gardens and landscapes should be models of environmental integrity. We established the first certified organic nursery in the United States, and we proudly offered a comprehensive selection of certified organic seeds and certified organic seedlings for vegetables, culinary herbs, and flowers. By virtue of our unique and careful product selection, we are leaders in the field. Today our specialties are certified organic plants (vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings), certified organic seeds, and drip irrigation supplies. |
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North American Seed Co, Inc.
41801 Espinosa Road, Greenfield, CA93927,
T: 831.674.3037
naseedco@aol.com
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Omega Seed
Omega Seed, founded in 2005, is a family-owned seed company located in the Sacramento Valley, specializing in the production of high quality seed. |
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Pybas Vegetable Seed Company, Inc.
Established in 1983 Pybas produces over 100 seed varieties for different seasons, regions and climates. |
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Peaceful Valley Farm Supply
We have been promoting organic sustainable agriculture for over 25 years and were one of the very first and few ventures in the country to offer organic supplies. We are dedicated to healing the earth by providing farmers and gardeners with cost-effective, state-of-the-art organic growing supplies, organic seed, and the information and tools needed to apply them. We sell locally in our retail store and nationwide via mail, phone, fax or on the internet. We strive to support organic growers at every level, from home gardeners to large commercial grower. |
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Priority Seed Production
P.O. Box 5176, Yuma, AZ 85366-5176, T: 928.726.2996, seeds4u@aol.com. For more information regarding certified organic vegetable seeds contact:
T: 928.210.2996 |
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Rancho Purisima
Flower seeds and seed crops.
T: 805.992.2695
purisima@mindspring.com |
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Seeds By Design, Inc.
Sister company of Terra Organics (see below)
Patricia Buskirk, P.O. Box 62, Maxwell, CA 95955,
T: 530.934.8086, sbd1@jps.net |
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Seeds of Change
Established in 1989 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, we are the original and largest 100% organic seed company. Our mission is to preserve biodiversity and promote sustainable organic agriculture. We offer many heirloom, traditional, medicinal and original seed varieties, plus tools, books, posters and other garden and cooking products. We guarantee every seed pack, live plant, and product unconditionally. |
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Seed Savers Exchange
Seed Savers Exchange (SSE) is a nonprofit tax-exempt organization that is saving "heirloom" (handed-down) garden seeds from extinction. SSE's 8,000 members grow and distribute heirloom varieties of vegetables, fruits, and grains. |
Snow Seed
P.O. Box 294, 21855 Rosehart Way, Salinas, CA 93908.
T: 831-758-9869. Snow Seed Organic is the first fully certified organic seed dealer west of the Rockies. Snow Seed Organic is dedicated to organic producers as an industry leader in organic seed sourcing, packaging, and distribution. Snow Seed Organic currently lists nearly 400 organically grown and untreated conventionally grown vegetables and herbs specifically adapted for organic producers. |
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Sow Organic Seed
All Sow organic Seed Company varieties are certified organic 100%, open pollinated, non-GMO, non-hybrid, which include heirloom varieties of veggies, flowers, and herbs. |
Terra Organics
Terra Organics grows certified organic seeds of vegetables, flowers and herbs in the fertile Sacramento Valley in Northern California. Sister company is Seeds by Design (see above) |
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TomatoFest Garden Seeds
Established in 1995. Gary Ibsen, an organic tomato grower for more than 30 years, and author of "The Great Tomato Book," offers more than 500 varieties of certified organic, heirloom and open-pollinated tomato seeds from around the world for the home gardener and small farm. Collections of 'proven successful' fresh market varieties. Our mission is to promote biodiversity and preserve the quality of heirloom tomato seed strains. We personally grow, harvest and package ALL our seed. TomatoFest website also offers tomato posters, books and garden supplies. Bulk seed discounts available by contacting gary@tomatofest.com |
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Vitalis Organic Seed
Organic vegetable and herb seeds in the varietal selections and quantities required by growers to meet production system and market needs. |
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W-L Research
Certified organic alfalfa varieties. |
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