NPGMA may certify each production and handling operation that produces or handles crops, livestock, livestock products, or other agricultural products intended to be labeled as "organic" in accordance with the National Organic Program Standards published by the USDA.

NPGMA staff will apply strictly the certification process: control of production mode and quality system, administrative and accountant reviews, physical site inspection, and analysis. This process must be repeated each year in order to comply with NOP regulation.

The Organic Certification Process:

• Submit the Application. Complete your Organic System Plan (OSP) and required attachments.
• Application Review. Your application will be reviewed by a Certification Officer to evaluate if you are eligible for organic certification and ready to move forward towards organic certification.
• Inspection. An on-site inspection will be performed to verify that you are following the NOP requirements and the practices described in your Organic System Plan. The inspector will submit an inspection report to NPGMA.
• Inspection report review. NPGMA certification officer will review the inspection report alongside your OSP. Any and all findings, requirements, noncompliance and continuous improvements will be identified and reported in a Determination Letter. Potential additional requests for further information will be addressed with you.
• Certification Status Notification. Once the inspection review and compliance documents show that you are complying with NOP regulation, you will receive an organic certificate from NPGMA describing your activity and the certified products.
• Continuation. Annually, you will have to update your Organic System Plan before your "Anniversary Date" (indicated in your certificate). Inspection of your operation, Inspection report review and Certification Status Notification remain consistent each year thereafter. Certification fees are due annually according to the fee schedule for the current year.

For more information, please contact us at contact@npgma.org