CERTIFIER: Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)

WEB SITE | ocia.org |
NOP INFORMATION | organic.ams.usda.gov/integrity/CP/CertifierProfilePage.aspx?cid=64 |
HEADQUARTERS | Lincoln, NE |
US CERTIFIED OPERATION LOCATIONS | AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WY |
ACCREDITED SCOPES | CROPS, HANDLING, LIVESTOCK, WILD CROPS |
CERTIFIER INFORMATION
OCIA was transparent about its practices
Criteria | Comments |
---|---|
Hydroponic Details | Has policy against certifying hydroponics. |
Material Review | OCIA accepts and reviews materials according to NOP standards. |
Fee Structure | Producers are given estimates for the inspection and fee structure can be viewed online. |
Inspectors | Inspectors must be qualified in the area they are inspecting (e.g. crops, handling, etc.) with education or experience. Training is required. |
Imports | Requires an audit trail for any imports when reviewing operations that import products. |
Farm Sizes | Tends to certify small and mid-sized farms. |
Outdoor Access for Poultry | Porches are not allowed as the only outdoor access for poultry. |
Pasture Access | Pasture must continue to meet the definition of pasture in the standards (it cannot be overgrazed or in poor condition). |
Livestock Alterations | Alterations allowed are based on NOP standards. |
Origin of Livestock | OCIA does not certify operations that purchase converted conventional cattle. Any new animals brought onto a dairy must have been managed organically since the last third of gestation. |
Antibiotics in Livestock | No antibiotic use allowed. |
Inspections | Unannounced inspections are based on risk to organic integrity, complaints, or other investigations. Random inspections also occur to fulfill 5 percent requirement. |
Residue | Testing Residue testing is based on risk to organic integrity, complaints, or other investigations. |
Producer Support Services | OCIA membership maintains local chapters, which allow networking with experienced farmers. |