How to Become Certified USDA Organic with Microbebio

The first step toward organic certification is understanding and preparing to meet the standards established under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). MicrobeBio works with farmers and agricultural operations in an advisory capacity to review existing production and handling practices, identify areas that may require attention, and provide recommendations to help prepare for the certification process. MicrobeBio may also assist farmers in reviewing agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers, soil amendments, and pest-management products, to identify items that should be verified for compliance with applicable organic requirements by the appropriate certifying agent.

1. Certification Application and Independent Inspection Once the farmer is ready to pursue certification, the operation submits its application to a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The certifying agent reviews the application and arranges the official on-site inspection required as part of the certification process. The independent inspector may review records including crop and production plans, input records, soil fertility management practices, pest-management practices, and other documentation required under USDA organic regulations.MicrobeBio may assist the farmer before this process through an on-farm technical assessment or certification-readiness review. This assessment is advisory and is not the official organic certification inspection.
2. MicrobeBio Certification-Readiness Support MicrobeBio’s technical team can work with farmers to evaluate current agricultural practices and identify areas that may require changes or additional documentation before applying for USDA organic certification. This may include reviewing soil fertility programs, biological inputs, crop-management practices, pest and disease management strategies, recordkeeping procedures, and other aspects of the production system.MicrobeBio may provide recommendations intended to help the farmer prepare for the certification process; however, final determinations regarding whether a practice, input, or operation complies with USDA organic regulations are made by the USDA-accredited certifying agent.
3. Farm Assessment and Documentation Support As part of its consulting services, MicrobeBio may conduct an on-farm technical assessment to better understand the operation and help identify potential certification-readiness issues. MicrobeBio may review available production records, agricultural inputs, soil and crop management practices, pest-management programs, and procedures intended to reduce the risk of contamination or commingling.This MicrobeBio assessment is a technical and advisory service and should not be considered or represented as an official USDA organic inspection. The official inspection is conducted through the USDA-accredited certifying agent.
4. Independent Certification and Ongoing MicrobeBio Support The USDA-accredited certifying agent independently evaluates the application, inspection findings, Organic System Plan, records, agricultural practices, and other required information. If the operation satisfies applicable USDA organic requirements, the accredited certifying agent—not MicrobeBio—makes the certification decision and issues the organic certificate.MicrobeBio may continue providing technical assistance to farmers before and after certification, including recommendations related to soil health, biological crop management, fertility programs, agricultural inputs, regenerative practices, and production-system improvement. Continued USDA organic certification remains subject to the requirements, inspections, and determinations of the operation’s USDA-accredited certifying agent.
5. MicrobeBio’s RoleMicrobeBio is an agricultural biotechnology and technical consulting company. MicrobeBio is not a USDA-accredited organic certifying agent and does not issue USDA organic certification. MicrobeBio works with farmers to help them understand the organic transition and certification process, assess existing agricultural practices, identify potential areas for improvement, and develop recommendations that may help prepare their operations for review by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.

Organic Certification Review and Inspection

The official organic certification review and inspection process is conducted under the authority of a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The certifying agent and its inspector evaluate whether the farm or agricultural operation complies with applicable USDA organic regulations. This process may include reviewing the Organic System Plan, production and input records, fertilizers and pest-management products, soil fertility practices, measures designed to prevent prohibited-substance contamination and commingling, and other required documentation.

MicrobeBio can help farmers prepare for this process by providing technical assessments, agricultural recommendations, input-management guidance, and certification-readiness support. MicrobeBio’s assessments and recommendations do not constitute USDA organic certification, approval, or an official organic inspection, and MicrobeBio does not guarantee that an operation or agricultural input will qualify for organic certification. Final certification and compliance determinations are made exclusively by the applicable USDA-accredited certifying agent.