Organic Resources
In addition to the organic resources listed below there are a large number of organization's who offer additional resources related to sustainable agriculture. View Sustainable Agriculture Resources
Download an Organic & Sustainable Ag Information Sheet (PDF)
United States Department of Agriculture - National Organic Program (USDA-NOP)
Establishes, implements and enforces federal policy and standards of the National Organic Program and the USDA certified organic seal. CCOF is accredited by the USDA as a third-party certification agency under the NOP and is licensed to grant the USDA certified organic seal to operations who are inspected and verified to be in compliance with the regulations.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
Citizen advisory board to NOP and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
regarding compliance, accreditation, certification and policy
development in organic food and agriculture.
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) State Organic Program (SOP)
1120 N Street, Sacramento, California, USA 95814. Telephone: (916) 445-2180
The State Organic Program enforces federal and state statutes regarding the production
and marketing of fresh (not processed) organic products. The program is
also responsible for organic regulatory enforcement and complaints regarding labeling, fraud claims, and acts as the appeals body for certification issues in California. Organic farms in the State of California are required to register with CDFA.
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)
Ag Advisors
A number of CCOF Supporting Members are organic agricultural advisors. View list of Ag Advisors.
An Organic Conversation
A weekly radio show focusing on ecology-based thinking in the organic
food and holistic health movement on Clear Channel affiliate Green
960AM. The show discusses pertinent ecological issues and invites
guests to engage in conversations regarding social and environmental
problems and possible solutions.
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA)
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 on a wide variety of topics related to organic agriculture, handling, certification, pest control, soil and water management and marketing. ATTRA resources are 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. Telephone: (800) 346-9140
California Climate & Agriculture Network (Cal CAN)
A coalition that advances policy solutions centered on climate change
and sustainable agriculture. Members include representatives from
agricultural, environmental, food safety and other organizations.
California Organic Products Advisory Committee (COPAC)
COPAC’s role is to “advise the California Secretary [of the Department
of Food and Agriculture] about how to meet his/her responsibility to the
organic industry.” COPAC members represent producers, distributors,
technical representatives, environment, consumers and retail.
eOrganic
A new online resource is available, created by the eOrganic Community of Practice, for farmers, ranchers, agricultural professionals, certifiers, researchers and educators seeking reliable information on organic agriculture, published research results, farmer experiences, and certification. The web group is a collaborative effort between eXtension, a search engine and information-based website that focuses on knowledge from land-grant university minds, and agricultural professionals, farmers, and certifiers with experience and expertise in organic agriculture. The new organic-focused resource seeks to foster communication and networking within the organic community by presenting the most current, relevant and accurate information available in a variety of reliable and adaptable media formats.
Tools featured on the eOrganics include a feature article designed to keep readers up to date in the rapidly changing organics industry, an “Ask the Expert” tool where organic agricultural experts correspond via email with interested parties who have questions about organics, and short video segments collected to highlight organic agricultural practices. The site is also anticipating the development of online short courses, webinars, and additional opportunities to connect with other organic practitioners and service providers.
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.
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. CCOF is a member of IFOAM.
International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA)
Professional association that promotes quality training and networking
services for organic compliance inspectors. Tel. (406) 436-2031
Leopold Center-Scientific Findings About Organic Agriculture
More than 120 peer-reviewed, scientific studies by international scientists and researchers regarding many aspects of organic agriculture.
National Organic Coalition (NOC)
National alliance of organizations working to provide a “Washington
voice” for farmers, ranchers, environmentalists, animal welfare activists,
consumers and progressive industry members involved in organic
agriculture.
Organic Ag Info
This website contains information on production, economic data,
research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information and transition
strategies as well as many other subjects related to organic agriculture.
The website is funded by a grant from the Initiative for Future
Agriculture and Food Systems (IFAFS) through the USDA Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service (CSREES).
Organic Consultants
CCOF provides a list of organic consultants, who have experience of organic compliance and the certification process and documentation, and who are able to assist companies and farms seeking assistance with organic farming, certification, or other regulatory matters.
The Organic Center
An independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to advance
credible, peer-reviewed scientific research behind the health and
environmental benefits of organic foods and to communicate those to
the public. They publish 'The Scoop', a monthly e-newsletter review of important new science on the impacts and benefits of organic food and farming along with breaking organic news stories, information on upcoming and recent events. Sign-up for 'The Scoop'.
Organic Farming Research Foundation
Sponsors and funds projects related to organic research and education and disseminates research results to organic farmers and to growers interested in adopting organic production systems. Addresses public policy issues in support of organic farming practices and educates the public and decision-makers about organic farming issues. Tel. (831) 426-6606.
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. Tel. (541) 343-7600.
Organic Price Report
The Rodale Institute’s Organic Price Report (OPR) is an online tool that
helps producers price competitively. The tool tracks selected prices
from the fruit, vegetable, herbs and grain sectors, comparing organic
prices to conventional prices in markets across the country.
Organic Trade Association (OTA)
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. Tel. (413)
774-7511.
Rodale Institute/New Farm
A sponsored networking, educational and marketing resource for
organic agriculture with a focus on transitional, local and international
farms. The Institute offers an Organic Transition Course, a 15-hour
online program designed to help understand the National Organic
Standards and the framework for making the transition to organic
production. It’s perfect for farmers who are ready to make the complete
transition to certified organic, and for those interested in integrating
more sustainable methods into their current farming system. Tel. (610) 683-1400.
University of California 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. SAREP is also a sponsored resource for organic research, grants
and educational workshops and provides a handbook for maintaining
organic compliance. Tel. (530) 752-7556
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
Independently reviews products to determine if they are allowed for
use in organic production, handling, and processing. Tel.(360) 902-1805,
Washington State University (WSU) – Online Organic Certificate
Program
Washington State University offers an exclusively online organic certificate program that consists of 18-credits, taking the average, fully employed
student three years to complete.
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.
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