Referral Bonus Application
OCIA is offering a $100 referral bonus for currently certified OCIA operators who refer a producer to us! The referral bonus is valid after the new operator has paid their certification fees. To apply for a referral bonus, complete the form below.
Referral Bonus Form
Learn more about organic agriculture and the organic certification process.
Challenges in the Organic Certification Process
Transitioning a conventional operation to organic can at times feel like a daunting task filled with insurmountable obstacles. While it’s easy to become discouraged, many of the challenges associated with organic certification can be overcome with planning, ingenuity, and perseverance.
Frequently Asked: What is Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)?
The USDA will implement Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) on March 19, 2024. The new regulations will impact all segments of the organic industry. This post addresses common SOE questions.
The Organic Certification Process
All operators seeking initial organic certification must complete a similar six step process regardless of which certification agency they partner with. This process ensures that organic operators remain in compliance with organic regulations and helps maintain the integrity of the organic supply chain.
Every operator’s path to organic certification is different. Learn more about about the different paths to organic certification in our “Operator Spotlight” series.
A First-Generation Farmer Perspective: Alan Wilson
First-generation farmer Alan Wilson shares his experiences and growth as the first person in his family to explore organic farming.
Putting Health First: Askegaard Organic Farm
For couple Mike and Barb Askegaard of Askegaard Organic Farm, organic farming provided a way to balance health in all aspects of their lives- their family, their customers, and the environment. “We decided to certify as organic because we saw the negative effects...
Mother Parkers: Organic Production Aligns with Values
Mother Parkers’ values paired with their customers’ interest in organic products made obtaining organic certification a logical step. The process did come with challenges, however. For Mother Parkers, which markets their products in Canada and the US, understanding equivalency agreements between the countries presented challenges.