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

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.

Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA)