CFSA was formed in the late 1970s in response to growing interest in organic agriculture and certification in North and South Carolina. Since our founding, organic farmers have been central to our mission. For decades, we have developed resources and provided hands-on technical assistance to support organic and transitioning-to-organic growers, and we remain deeply committed to continuing this work.
Sign up for CFSA’s Organic Certification Technical Assistance ProgramCFSA’s Organic Certification Technical Assistance Program
CFSA provides direct technical assistance and resources to support farmers using organic production practices, transitioning to organic, and pursuing USDA Organic certification.
What to expect from the Organic Technical Assistance Program
For farmers seeking technical assistance on implementing organic practices:
- Support implementing organic production practices on your farm.
- Organic production and management guidance, including high tunnel production, fertility and soil health management, and organic pest and disease control options.
For farmers seeking USDA Organic certification:
- Assistance navigating the USDAโs National Organic Program regulations as they apply to your specific operation.
- Transition-to-organic guidance, including transition planning, timelines, requirements, and next steps.
- Organic certification support, including help understanding NOP basics, Organic System Plan development, and a review of your certification application materials.
- Guidance on developing appropriate recordkeeping systems and farm maps.
- Overview of certifying agents operating in North Carolina and South Carolina to help identify the best fit.
- Careful review of records and certification application materials prior to submission.
About Organic Certification
Organic certification is a process through which agricultural products are verified to meet specific standards set by regulatory bodies. These standards focus on environmentally-friendly practices, promoting sustainable agriculture, and avoiding using synthetic chemicals or genetically modified organisms.
Farms and producers seeking organic certification undergo inspections and audits to ensure they adhere to these criteria.
Once approved, they can label their products as โorganic,โ providing consumers with confidence that they were produced with a commitment to ecological and ethical practices.
Becoming certified organic can offer several benefits to farmers, making it an appealing choice for many.
Market Demand: Consumer awareness and demand for organic products have steadily increased. By obtaining organic certification, farmers access a growing market of environmentally-conscious and health-conscious consumers, potentially leading to higher demand and better product prices.
Environmental Stewardship: Organic farming practices prioritize sustainability, soil health, and biodiversity. By following these principles, farmers contribute to preserving the environment, reducing chemical usage, and promoting the long-term health of their land.
Health Benefits: Organic farming avoids using synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms. By producing food without these chemicals, farmers can provide consumers with healthier and safer products.
Access to Support: Organic certification may open doors to government programs, grants, and subsidies designed to support sustainable agriculture. These resources can aid farmers in implementing organic practices and improving their operations.
Enhanced Reputation: Certified organic enhance a farmerโs reputation as a responsible and ethical producer. This can lead to stronger relationships with consumers, retailers, and other stakeholders in the agricultural industry.
Compliance with Standards: Organic certification ensures that a farmer meets strict standards and regulations set by accredited certifying bodies. This process helps farmers maintain transparency and credibility in the marketplace.
Soil Health: Organic farming involves crop rotation, cover cropping, and other soil health practices, leading to improved soil fertility, reduced risk of pests and diseases, and overall building more resilient soils.
Overall, organic certification provides farmers with a range of benefits, including access to a growing market, environmental stewardship, improved product quality, and potential financial advantages.
However, it is essential to consider the additional costs and commitment required for certification, as the process involves adhering to rigorous standards and ongoing inspections.
If you think organic certification is right for you, weโre here to help!
In simplest terms, the certification process involves an application, review, inspection, compliance with any standards issues, and certification.
The inspectorโs report will be reviewed to address any compliance issues that arose during the inspection. Once all issues are resolved, you will receive a letter from your certifying agent informing you of your certification status and any requirements for ongoing certification.
You will pick a certifier and submit your application through your chosen certifying agent.
In your application, called an Organic System Plan (OSP), you explain what you do, how, and what you use to do it.
During the initial review, your OSP is assessed to determine if the certifier has all the information needed to begin the certification process and ensure they understand your operation on paper. Once the review is complete, an onsite inspection is scheduled. ATTRA has a great resource on preparing for an inspection.
During inspection, the inspector will confirm that what you said on paper is what you are doing in practice and determine whether your recordkeeping provides the necessary audit trail to track your product flow and document your growing and/or handling practices. The inspector will explain to you what they observed and write a report.
Complete an online application to request our FREE technical assistance services โ the only eligibility requirement is that you are a CFSA member! Memberships are available to farmers for $40/year. We look forward to working with you!
Essential CFSA Organic Production Resources & Manuals
Practical Guide to Organic Certification & Production
The Practical Guide to Organic Certification and Production is a farmer-focused resource produced by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association in 2025, designed to make the journey to certified organic production … Read more
Southeastern Organic Input Guide
This directory and map shows the locations of Organic input suppliers who participated in the SE TOPP Organic Inputs Survey, conducted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. The survey helps … Read more
Avoid Common Mistakes with Organic Farming Inputs
When it comes to inputs for transitioning or certified organic farms, there are plenty of mistakes that can easily be made that would start that three-year โtransitionโ clock back to … Read more
Calculating Organic Fertilizer Amounts Needed to Supply Recommended Nitrogen Rates
If you use the NCDA&CS Soil Test as a guide for nutrient application rates, itโs a good thing to know that the lab does not test your soil sample for … Read more
Organic Pest Management Inputs Guide
Introduction Organic farmers must evaluate every pest management input before it goes into the field. Under USDA National Organic Program (NOP) rules, you must rely first on cultural, mechanical, and … Read more
Recent Organic Certification & Production Resources
Organic Pest Management Inputs Guide
Introduction Organic farmers must evaluate every pest management input before it goes into the field. Under USDA National Organic Program (NOP) rules, you must rely first on cultural, mechanical,…Keep Reading
Southeastern Organic Input Guide
This directory and map shows the locations of Organic input suppliers who participated in the SE TOPP Organic Inputs Survey, conducted by the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. The survey…Keep Reading
Barriers to Organic Agronomic Crop Production
Introduction Despite growing national demand for organic grains and oilseeds, the southeastern U.S. continues to lag behind in certified organic agronomic crop production. Producers in this region are increasingly…Keep Reading
An Organic Food-Grade Wheat Market? Whatโs Missing for Success
An Organic Food-Grade Wheat Market? Whatโs Missing for Success A comprehensive approach to improving a regional organic wheat marketย 1. Background There is a real market waiting to be…Keep Reading
Page content last reviewed and updated 8/13/2026.
