Farmers Association
How to get Certified (7-steps)
Site Design by Pendragon Enterprises
- Frequently
Asked Questions....
1) What is the
minimum distance required between my certified organic crops and crops
that are being grown using conventional means?
2) Why should
I buy certified organic products?
3) How long
do you have to grow organically before you can be certified?
4) What are HOFA’s
standards for organic certification?
5) How do I know
if an agricultural input is allowed in certified organic production?
6) How long does
it take to get certified?
Do you have a question you would
like answered? Just click
our email link here and send us your question. We will respond
to you, and, if we consider that your question will be of interest to others,
we will post the response below also.
1) What is the minimum distance required between my certified organic crops and crops that are being grown using conventional means?
Growers must maintain a 25-foot buffer
from the drip line of certified organic crops to the drip line of any plants
or crops being grown with synthetic fertilizers and/or prohibited crop
protection materials. The 25-foot buffer must also be maintained
between certified organic crops and any property that is being treated
with prohibited substances such as herbicides and other pesticides.
In the event that an organic grower is unable to provide a 25 foot setback
between their certified organic crops and areas that are being treated
with prohibited substances, the portion of the production that lies within
the 25 foot buffer may be withheld from certification. In that event,
the grower will have to document that the harvests from the crops grown
inside the 25-foot buffer have been sold or disposed of as conventional
produce and not labeled organic.
HOFA recommends that you look for
certification documentation for all food sold as organic. Only products
certified by an independent third party provide the consumer the assurance
that the product has been grown in accordance with recognized standards.
The following is a list of "10 Good Reasons to Buy Organic" as provided
by the Organic Trade Association:
1. Organic Products Meet Stringent
Standards
2. Organic Food Tastes Great!
3. Organic Production Reduces Health
Risks
4. Organic Farms Respect Our Water
Resources
5. Organic Farmers Build Soil
6. Organic Farmers Work in Harmony
With Nature
7. Organic Growers Are Leaders in
Innovative Research
8. Organic Producers Strive to Preserve
Diversity
9. Organic Farming Keeps Rural Communities
Healthy
10. Organic Abundance ? Foods and
Non-Foods Alike!
You must be able to document that no prohibited substances or practices have been used on the crops to be labeled certified organic for a minimum of three years before the first "certified organic" harvest.
4) What are HOFA’s standards for organic certification?HOFA certifies under the prevailing USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) Federal Organic Rule. October 21, 2002 dates the full implementation of the Federal Organic Rule. All products labeled as "certified organic" must be certified by a federally accredited third party organization. HOFA was among the first to be accepted by the USDA.
5) How do I know if an agricultural input is allowed in certified organic production?The National Organic Program published The Federal Organic Rule to document all allowed and prohibited materials, practices, and processing and handling standards. A copy of The Federal Organic Rule is reprinted in HOFA’s "Organic Standards Handbook for Certification" or can be found online at: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop.
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI), a nonprofit organization, reviews manufacturers’ proprietary product information and is compliant with the Federal Organic Rule in making determinations about whether an agricultural input is allowed, restricted, or prohibited in certified organic production. HOFA supplies OMRI’s "Generic Materials and Brand Name Products List" to its certified clients and applicants for certification. If a particular input is not listed in the OMRI list, it may still be allowed by USDA. If you are uncertain about a particular product, please call the HOFA office for clarification.
6) How long does it take to get certified?HOFA recommends that you begin the certification process three months before you anticipate having product to sell as certified organic. Once the office receives your application, it will take eight to ten weeks before a licensing agreement and certificate may be issued (see our page Organic Certification). Certification is granted for a 12-month period and must be renewed annually. The HOFA certification process complies with the federal requirements as outlined in the National Organic Programs Federal Organic Rule. Under the NOP, a certifying agency must operate in a manner that avoids conflicts of interest between its certified clients and its independent inspectors, evaluators, and employees. Therefore, HOFA works with nearly a dozen trained independent inspectors across the state and has a seven-member evaluation committee to protect against potential conflicts of interest.
Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA)
P.O. Box 6863, Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 969-7789 Fax: (808) 969-7759
Email: hofa@hawaiiorganicfarmers.org
Copyright 2002