Certification Resources

Standards & Program Manuals

  • NOFA-NY Certified Organic’s 2023 Regulations, Guidance, and Policy Manual covers the certification process, the official USDA National Organic Program (NOP) standards for organic certification, and comprehensive instructions on compliance with those standards.
  • The NOP Handbook is a compilation of guidance documents, policy memos, and instructions intended to clarify policies and provide assistance in complying with NOP regulations.

Livestock Inputs List

Below are NOFA-NY published lists of allowed livestock inputs including healthcare, medications, feed additives & supplements, milkhouse products, and more:

Fact Sheets

Understanding Organic Certification

Livestock Operations

Dairy Operation

Crops Operations

Handler/Processor Operations

Labeling Guidance

Additional Guidance

USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program provides organic producers and handlers with financial assistance to reduce the cost of organic certification by reimbursing a portion of paid certification costs. Once certified, the organic operation is eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75% of certification cost (includes additional review and materials review fees) each year up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope – crops, livestock, wild crops, and handling.

USDA Organic Certification Made Simple is a multi-part video series, farmers discuss their firsthand experiences with obtaining organic certification—and why they decided to pursue it. Small video segments show viewers how the USDA organic regulations translate to practices on the ground by following a direct market farmer on his journey through the organic certification process. The video also provides a step-by-step overview of organic production requirements and the process of organic certification—by farmers, for farmers.

USDA Organic Integrity Database is a searchable database that helps you find a specific certified organic farm or business with specific characteristics. To find NOFA-NY certified producers simply select NOFA-NY from the certifier drop down tab.  Listings come from USDA-Accredited Certifying Agents.  

National Resources Conservation Service provides financial and technical assitance to help agricultural producers on biodiversity and resource conservation. 

Organic Seed Resources explains the NOP requirements for using organic seeds, the procedure for documenting your seed search if you are unable to find the type of seed you need, and provides contact information for companies selling organic seed.