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Certification

8 Steps to Becoming Certified

Application packets can also be purchased with a credit card.  Please call our office to order.

2. Develop your audit trail: farmers-please read the Audit Trail information sheet (located in the packet); Processors-please read section 5 of the Process/Handling Plan Questionnaire. Study the National Standards and Materials List carefully. Contact the office if you have any questions.

3. Once you have received the application packet and have become familiar with the materials and information provided, fill out the appropriate questionnaire(s) and gather your supporting documents. Other supporting information necessary to evaluate the operation and determine compliance with the National Organic Standards and the MOSA certification requirements include items such as field maps, facility maps, documentation of prior land use by previous managers, product specifications for processed products, process flow diagrams, etc.

4. Mail questionnaires, supporting documents, and fees to the MOSA office.

5. Initial Review: Upon receipt of your application materials, certification staff will conduct an initial review of your application. You will be notified of the results of this review and whether or not any additional information is required of you prior to your inspection.

6. On-Site Inspection: Upon completion of the initial review of your application, and receipt of any required additional information, your file will be sent to an inspector who will contact you to schedule your inspection. The inspector will then visit your farm or processing facility and submit a report to MOSA. The timing of the inspection will depend upon your schedule, your type of production, and the scheduling of other inspections.

7. Review: Once your inspection report has been received in the MOSA office, your application materials and inspection report are assigned to a Certification Specialist for evaluation and a certification decision.

8. Notification of Review: You will receive a letter informing you of the committee's decision, including requirements to be met prior to receiving certification and conditions set for maintaining certification, once granted.

Please note that the certification process may take from 3 to 6 months from the time we receive your application to the point of notification.

What Fees do I need to consider?
There are three costs to consider:
Certification fee - a yearly amount paid at the time application is processed
Inspection fee - a yearly amount paid at the time application is processed and later if more time/expenses are incurred
User fees - these fees are paid quarterly, or within 30 days of billing, and depend on gross organic sales.

There is no deadline for initial certification.  Applications are accepted throughout the year.  However the inspection must occur prior to crops being harvested for farm operations.  Annual update certification documents and fees are due on May 1st of each year, regardless of when your first year of certification is completed.

Click on the links below to see MOSA's complete fee schedule for 2008 for Producers and Processors

2008 Producer Fee Schedule        2008 Processor Fee Schedule

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