Are you a farmer who has been putting healthy soil, healthy food, and healthy people first, and is ready to become certified organic?
Getting Your Organic Certification is an online course designed as a guide to help you successfully complete all the steps of the USDA Certified Organic application process. With this course, you will learn the rules and regulations established by the National Organic Program (NOP), and how to ensure your farm meets these standards. Join Rodale Institute staff and researchers, expert guests, and certified organic farmers who want to share with you their experiences, challenges and successes.
This standalone course is included in the comprehensive Transition to Certified Organic Agriculture as Module 6. For the full Transition to Certified Organic Course, please click here.
This course is for:
- Farmers looking for guidance about the rules, regulations, and requirements for obtaining an organic certification
- Farmers already in the certification process interested in specialized guidance
- Agriculture professionals, educators, and consultants who aim to more clearly explain the organic certification process
- Anyone interested in learning the process and requirements behind the USDA Certified Organic seal
In this course, you will:
- Learn the basics of land and crop management requirements, storage and handling regulations, and recordkeeping required to become certified
- Understand the prohibited substances list and how to become compliant
- Observe the life cycle of certified organic food from planting to handling and processing
- Receive resources to help you in your understanding of the transition process
Course Curriculum
- 1.1. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIC FARMING (4:52)
- 1.2. LAND AND CROP MANAGEMENT REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS (20:42)
- 1.3. CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING (6:51)
- 1.4. THE NATIONAL LIST (9:12)
- 1.5. MATERIALS REGULATIONS (9:52)
- 1.6. RECORDKEEPING (50:22)
- 1.7. THE ORGANIC SYSTEM PLAN (OSP) (3:42)
- 1.8. THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS (4:45)
- 1.9. INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT (4:13)
- 1.10. ORGANIC HANDLING AND PROCESSING
- 1.11. RESOURCES
- SELF-EVALUATION
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course start and finish?
The course is a completely self-paced online course — you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like — across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
If you have any issues with your enrollment, please contact us at [email protected]
Will I get a grade/credit or certificate?
No grades/credits will be given in this course, but you will receive a Certificate of Completion once you finish all the lessons.