Getting into Organic Farming?

There are great opportunities in organic farming! Markets are growing 20-25% per year, with price premiums of 25-100%. But where do you start? Where do you get more information?

OMAFRA has a factsheet that gives some basic definitions and a list of associations and websites of general interest. Introduction to Organic Farming - OMAFRA Order number 06-103 is available online or by calling the Agricultural Information Contact Centre.

To learn more about organic farming growers need to build connections in the organic sector. For general information, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario and the Canadian Organic Growers are a good organization to join. Both organizations have regular newsletters included in their membership fees. The annual organic conference at Guelph is held on the last weekend of January and is an excellent place to network and learn more about the organic industry in Canada.

All stores, processing and export markets will require the organic product they buy to be certified. Organic certification gives assurance to your customers that you are following the accepted standards of organic production. Processors also need to be certified.

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The National Standard of Canada - Organic Agriculture (CAN/CGSB-32.310-99) is the official standard of Canada. This states the minimum standards for organic products in Canada. OCPP/Pro-Cert (Organic Crop Producers and Processors, Inc) has been accredited to this standard by the Standards Council of Canada.

OCPP (Organic Crop Producers and Processors, Inc.) and OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association, Ontario) are the two largest certification bodies operating in Ontario. OCPP is a Canadian based fee for service company and OCIA is a membership based organization with chapters across North America and the world. QAI (Quality Assurance International) is based in the USA and certifies mostly processing operations. ECOCERT is a certification body from Europe, and OFI (Organic Forum International) also certifies some product in Ontario.

The production standards for OCPP, OCIA and QAI are posted on their website and are a reference for more information on growing organic crops. These standards include a "permitted materials" list, indicating which crop inputs are allowed to be used on organic farms. The Organic Materials Review Institute website can also give some of this type of information.

Certified organic products require 36 months prior to harvest with only inputs that are permitted in organic production. Some certification bodies (CB) require inspection during Year 1 or Year 2 of the transition period. Fees vary between certification bodies (generally $500-1000 per year). Most standards have very similar principles, but they are not identical. The accreditations that each local certification body has outside Canada will vary and your export markets have unique requirements. Be sure to ask what your market requires, and what your certification body offers.

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The steps to becoming a certified organic producer are:

1. learn all you can about organic and your commodities
2. start the transition of your fields/farm
3. select the most appropriate certification body
4. apply for certification (in year 3 or earlier if required by CB)
5. certification body sends out an inspector (annually)
6. receive certification
7. market certified crop

Key international standards are found in the European Union, Japan, and USA. Some markets in those countries require additional certification such as IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Movements). Organic certification for export is complicated and continually changing; consult your certification body for current information regarding potential markets.

For markets within Ontario, stores usually accept any of the popular certification programs growers should always know their market requirements. Organic markets look for a quality product and good supply.

Related Links

• Introduction to Organic Farming, Order No. 06-103
• Organic Materials Review Institute website

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