NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC provides the USDA's National Organic Program's National Organic Standards and NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC's Guidance & Policy Manual.  These contain the requirements for organic certification of the following: Vegetable Crops Field Crops Livestock Fruits Poultry Eggs Milk Production Maple Syrup Cheese Sprouts Wine Yogurt Wild Crops Greenhouses Mushrooms On-Farm Handling Certification Requirements Certification is an annual process.  Land to be certified must not have had prohibited synthetic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers applied in the previous three years.  While the hay land of most farms can meet this requirement, you may have used starter fertilizer on corn ground.  The corn ground would not qualify for certification for three years since last use of fertilizer.  A history of the land that includes soil amendments applied, including manure, seeds planted and any pest/disease controls used in the previous three years, is required. Transplants used in organic production must be organically grown using only approved potting mixes and certified organic seeds, if commercially available.  Otherwise, untreated seed is permitted.  Crop production requirements include the use of crop rotation systems.  Buffer zones may be necessary if fields are adjacent to conventionally farmed fields. As part of the Certification application, farms must provide maps of all fields to be certified.  Fields and pastures must have an identification system, either names or numbers.  A scheduled farm inspection is a part of the Certification process. The inspector will visit all fields and facilities and verify your practices.  The certification fee includes inspection costs.  A soil nutrient analysis is strongly recommended for fields to be certified.  Potable water tests are also required annually.  Farms must also provide an equipment list and develop harvest records as a part of the complete audit trail system. Livestock certification requires the use of certified feeds and prohibits the use of antibiotics and hormones for the entire herd.  Calves must be fed organic whole milk.  Records must be maintained for all use of medications, which are highly regulated.  Animals must be identified with tags or tattoos. Orientation Workshops All first year applicants are very strongly encouraged to attend a free Certification workshop to answer any questions you may have about the certification process, including help with applications and understanding the NOP's Standards.  The session location and times are noted below.  More detailed information is provided with your application packet order.  The workshops will be held on the following dates: 2008 Dates NOFA-NY, Inc 26th Annual Conference The Saratoga Hotel & Conference Center Downtown Saratoga Springs, NY Friday, January 25th @ 1:30pm Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension 840 Upper Front Street Binghamton, NY 13905 Thursday, February 28th @ 1:00pm Cattaraugus County Cornell Cooperative Extension 28 Parkside Drive Ellicottville, NY 14731 Monday, March 3rd @ 10:00am Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension 840 Upper Front Street Binghamton, NY 13905 Monday, March 10th @ 1:00pm Jefferson County Cornell Cooperative Extension 203 North Hamilton St Watertown, NY 13601 Thursday, April 10th @ 10:00am  Since there are space limitations, PLEASE PRE-REGISTER for the Workshop.  You may Pre-register by filling out the REGISTRATION FORM (click here) or by contacting the NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC office at 607-724-9851 extn: 701 or email: certifiedorganic@nofany.org Attendees are asked to bring the following: Copy of the 2008 Standards Manual Application Packet for the type of Certification you are interested in applying for Your Field Maps or drafts of maps Orientation Workshop Agenda Discussion of the Structure and Operation of the NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC Certification Program USDA Organic Program Requirements Overview of Standards Requirements, with a focus on problem areas for new applicants The Certification Process and Timeframe What Constitutes a Complete Application? The Application Booklet Review Additional Forms that may be needed Additional Documentation Needed Audit Trail Requirements $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC offers a $25.00 voucher for new applicants who attend certification workshops! Vouchers are good towards initial certification fee with NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC.  Only one voucher per operation.  Vouchers are not transferable and non replaceable.  Vouchers are valid for current year's certification and must be presented with certification fee form and application.  Producer must be present to receive voucher. We look forward to meeting you! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$   Certification Due Dates/Time Frames The first year of the certification process is a lengthier process than in succeeding years. The average time frame for a first year application is as follows: November & December: Maple Syrup producers may request Applications January & February: Farmers may obtain and review Standards & Application Maple Application received on or before February 8, 2008 Approximate Inspection Date: February Approximate Completion Date: April Applications received on or before March 31, 2008 Approximate Inspection Date: May/June Approximate Completion Date: August Applications received on or before May 1, 2008 (with $50.00 late fee) Approximate Inspection Date: July/August Approximate Completion Date: September/October Applications received after May 1, 2008 (with $100.00 late fee) Approximate Inspection Date: August/September Approximate Completion Date: October/November Applications received after August 31, 2008, are not guaranteed completion before the end of the year.  Please Note: in the first year of certification, early crops such as asparagus and strawberries will not be certified in time to market as organic. In succeeding years there is no lapse in certification (providing Annual Information Update occurs). Farm Certification Fees Please CLICK HERE to review the current Fees and Financial Policies and Procedures schedule from the Certification Policy Manual. The USDA is providing financial assistance to farmers in 15 states to help pay their costs for organic certification including Connecticut, New York and Pennsylvania.  Payments are currently limited to 75% of an individual producer's certification costs, up to a maximum of $500.00.  Funds are being distributed through NYS Ag & Markets and Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture.  Please CLICK HERE to download a pdf version of the form. Certification Fee Refund Policy Please CLICK HERE to review the current Certification Fee Refund Policy from the Certification Policy Manual. The Certification Standards The National Organic Program's National Organic Standards and the NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC's Guidance & Policy Manual provide complete guidelines for the Program. A copy of the current NOP Standards is required when applying for Certification. It is recommended that if you are not seeking certification this year that you still obtain the Standards in order to prepare for future certification. The National Organic Program's National Organic Standards, the NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC's Guidance & Policy Manual, and the Certification Application are available as follows: Complete Application Packet (Standards, Manual & Application) $30.00 NOP Standards Only $20.00 OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) Brand Name List $12.00 OMRI Generic List $12.00 Both OMRI Lists $20.00 Certification Application Only $10.00 List of Certified Organic Farms $  5.00

Name: Farm Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: County: Email: Date of Orientation Workshop You Will Attend:______________   Send Form with Payment To: NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC 840 Upper Front St Binghamton, NY 13905   All prices  are in U.S. currency.  Additional postage will need to be added for purchases outside the continental United States.  Please call to arrange prior to sending payment.

Products that you will be seeking certification for this year:   Vegetables, Herbs, Transplants  Field Crops   Livestock  Fruit, Berries   Poultry:      House   Pastured  Maple Syrup   Dairy  Sprouts   Cheese  Wine   Eggs  Greenhouses*   Wild Crops  On-Farm Handling   Mushrooms *Greenhouses that are in production year round, fall under different expiration dates.  For more information, please contact the Certification office. Total Enclosed:______________ Please make check payable to: NOFA-NY Certified Organic, LLC, or   Charge my Credit Card: ______________________________ aa Exp. Date:______  Signature:__________________________ If billing address is different than mailing, please list billing address: