Certifications

Artisan Organics has completed the required transition period and is eligible to apply for Organic and Salmon Safe Certification in 2012. We anticipate submitting our applications to Oregon Tilth in February.  If all goes well, the application should be approved around the end of April.  You can keep up to date with what is happening with our organic certification application by subscribing to our blog.  We will post regular updates as we move through the process.

The Organic Certification application process is lengthy.  First, a farm must comply with all organic certification standards, and document that they are doing so, for a three year period.  The goal of this waiting period is to allow any synthetic chemicals already in the soil to dissipate.  We are very pleased that we have completed this waiting period.

At the end of the three years, a farm completes a written Organic Systems Plan (OSP) outlining the methods used to comply with Organic and Salmon Safe certification standards.  These documents are lengthy and detailed.  Every crop grown must be listed and sources for certified organic seeds and/or starts identified.  Plans for preventing chemical contamination must be made and followed.  Usually these require implementation of a 25 foot buffer zone around the certified areas.

All potential pest problems must be identified and a detailed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan developed and implemented.   Additionally, plans must be developed for protecting and improving soil health, protecting native wildlife, and Riparian habitat.  Plus, the farm must develop internal forms and written policies for documenting compliance with all these plans.

Upon receiving the completed application, Oregon Tilth will assign an Inspector.  The Inspector will conduct an onsite inspection to ensure that the written plan adequately reflects actual conditions at the farm.  Usually, the Inspector finds something amiss and the farm must modify the plans and documentation and re-submit those portions of the application.  If the changes required are major, the Inspector must re-inspect the farm before certification is granted.

At Artisan Organics we find the process of completing the certification process very valuable.  It is so much better to plan in advance rather than make complex decisions in the heat of the moment.  In fact, we’ve made great pains to time the whole process so that our application and annual renewal occurs in the quieter winter months when we can give it the full attention it deserves.