Certification Roadmap
USDA Certification Agencies
The twelve Agencies are listed below are USDA’s authorized Certified Organic Certification Agencies. Additionally, there are nearly 80 USDA-accredited certifying agents (also called certifiers) authorized under the National Organic Program (NOP) to certify farms, processors, and handlers as USDA Organic. This includes both private companies and some state departments of agriculture. Most can certify operations anywhere in the US (and often internationally).
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The consulting team at Farm Transition Services will work with you to select the best Agency and Certifier with the experience that best matches your type of Farming operation, location and products.
CCOF Certification Services (California Certified Organic Farmers)
Quality Assurance International (QAI), part of NSF
Oregon Tilth – Popular in the West and nationwide
Website:Â https://www.ccof.org/
Phone: (831) 423-2263
Email:Â ccof@ccof.org
Website:Â https://www.nsf.org/food-beverage/organic-specialty-foods
Phone: (888) 886-5277
Website:Â https://tilth.org/certification/
Phone: (503) 378-0690
Email:Â organic@tilth.org
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO)
Organic Certifiers, Inc. – Nationwide service
SCS Global Services – Certifies across sectors
Website:Â https://paorganic.org/
Phone: (814) 422-0251
Website:Â https://www.organiccertifiers.com/
Phone: (805) 684-6494
Email:Â info@occert.com
Website:Â https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/organic-certification
Phone: (510) 452-8000
Baystate Organic Certifiers – Based in Massachusetts, serves continental US
MOSA (Midwest Organic Services Association)
Ecocert ICO LLC (formerly Indiana Certified Organic;
Website:Â https://baystateorganic.org/
Address: 1220 Cedarwood Circle, N. Dighton, MA 02764
Email: applications@baystateorganic.org
Phone: (917) 957-0979
Website:Â https://mosaorganic.org/
Phone: (608) 637-2526
Website:Â https://www.ecocertico.com
Address: 2498 Perry Crossing Way, Suite 210, Plainfield, IN 46168
Phone: 888-337-8246
Email: info.ecocertico@ecocert.comÂ
Global Organic Alliance, Inc
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA)
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Organic Program
Website:Â https://www.goa-online.org
Address: 3185 Township Road 179, Bellefontaine, OH 43311
Phone: 937-593-1232
Email:Â goaorg@goa-online.org
State Organic Program Website:Â https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/organicprogram
Phone: 916-657-3231
Website:Â https://agr.wa.gov/departments/organic
Address: Natural Resources Building, P.O. Box 42560, 1111 Washington ST SE, Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Phone: 360-902-1805
Email: organic@agr.wa.gov
The official, up-to-date directory is the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database Certifier
Locator:
https://organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/
(Search by state, scope, or name, and export results.)Here are some well-established and commonly used USDA-accredited certifying agents across the US, with their company names, websites, and contact info where available:
As with other certifiers, the most comprehensive and up-to-date directory for all USDA-accredited agents (including these) is the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database Certifier Locator:Â https://organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/. Farms can select any accredited certifier regardless of location. Feel free to reach out to them directly for quotes or consultations!
Other notable ones include Ecocert ICO, Global Organic Alliance, and state programs like California Department of Food and Agriculture or Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program.To find the best fit for your farm (e.g., by location, cost, or specialty like livestock/crops), use the USDA Certifier Locator linked above or contact your local USDA office/extension service for recommendations. Many offer free consultations.