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 NOFA-NY Certified Organic 100% Grass Fed Certification Manual outlines the standards required to obtain additional certification outside the NOP Organic Program for food products sourced from pasture. All NOFA-NY certified organic livestock operations are eligible to enroll in this added certification program. We also offer OPT Grass Fed Certification OPT Standards & Program Manual
- 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:
- 03.19.21_NOFA-NY Products List_By Category
- 03.19.21_NOFA-NY Products List_By Manufacturer
- 03.19.21_NOFA-NY Products List_By Product Name
- 03.19.21_Added and Removed Products List
Fact Sheets
Understanding Organic Certification
- Organic Production and Handling Standards (USDA)
- What is Organic Agriculture?
- Is Organic an Option for Me? (USDA)
- What is Organic Certification? (USDA)
- Do I Need to be Certified Organic? (USDA)
- Common Mistakes Made by Organic Certification Applicants
Livestock Operations
- Organic Livestock Requirements (USDA)
- Transitioning to Organic Beef Production
- Transitioning to Sheep or Goat Meat Production
- Organic Poultry Production – Eggs
- Organic Poultry Production – Meat
Dairy Operation
Crops Operations
- Organic Hemp Certification
- Transitioning to Organic Crop Production
- Transitioning to Organic Vegetable Production
- Considering Risk before Starting an Organic Orchard
- Planning the Organic Orchard
- Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production
- Understanding Farm Lot Numbers
Handler/Processor Operations
- Organic Wine: Oversight, Labeling & Trade (USDA)
- Labeling Organic Malt Beverages (USDA)
- Sourcing Organic Ingredients for Processing (OPI)
- Sanitation of Organic Food Processing (OPI)
- Processing with a Co-Packer (OPI)
Labeling Guidance
- Labeling Organic Products (USDA)
- “Made With” Organic Labeling Examples (USDA)
- Organic labeling at Farmer’s Markets (USDA)
- Non-GMO Verification Fact Sheet (OTA)
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 50% of certification cost (includes additional review and materials review fees) each year up to a maximum of $500 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.