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If you want to be organic, do it. If you gross under $5k per year and follow the rules of the National Organic Plan, you are allowed to sell your products as Organic, just not USDA Certified Organic. The certification process is not as hard as folks make it out to be. You can shop around to see what rates the different certification agencies are charging and contact them for an info packet. The info packet will provide info on the National Organic Program and their specific agency policies. When you feel you meet the standards of the NOP and are ready to certify, you typically fill out a number of questionnaires with info on how you plan to manage your flock organically. Once they are filled out you submit them to the agency (along with the appropriate fees of course) and they will schedule an inspector to come out to your place, look things over and go over your plan with you. The inspector submits a report back to the certification agency, and if everything is in order they send you your certificate.
In subsequent years, the process is even easier as they generally just ask if you have any changes to your organic management plan. The inspector then does a brief visit and if everything is in order, your certification is renewed.
It's really not that difficult, it just takes an understanding of the requirements of the National Organic Plan and a little prep work.
If you want to be organic, do it. If you gross under $5k per year and follow the rules of the National Organic Plan, you are allowed to sell your products as Organic, just not USDA Certified Organic. The certification process is not as hard as folks make it out to be. You can shop around to see what rates the different certification agencies are charging and contact them for an info packet. The info packet will provide info on the National Organic Program and their specific agency policies. When you feel you meet the standards of the NOP and are ready to certify, you typically fill out a number of questionnaires with info on how you plan to manage your flock organically. Once they are filled out you submit them to the agency (along with the appropriate fees of course) and they will schedule an inspector to come out to your place, look things over and go over your plan with you. The inspector submits a report back to the certification agency, and if everything is in order they send you your certificate.
In subsequent years, the process is even easier as they generally just ask if you have any changes to your organic management plan. The inspector then does a brief visit and if everything is in order, your certification is renewed.
It's really not that difficult, it just takes an understanding of the requirements of the National Organic Plan and a little prep work.
