Earlier this year, USDA launched its Organic Literacy Initiative. This effort includes self-paced training modules, outreach materials, and a guide to organic and organic-related USDA programs.  

These overview materials are designed as a first step in understanding organic certification. The next step for prospective organic operations is learning more about their specific type of organic production: crops, livestock, or processed products.    

When considering organic certification, one of the main questions farms and businesses ask is, what would I need to change in order to go organic?    

To describe the relevant organic requirements, provide best practices, and further explain the certification process, the National Organic Program (NOP) partnered with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) to provide the following detailed guides:  

• Guide to Organic Crop Production 
• Guide to Organic Livestock Production 
• Guide to Organic Processing 
• Guide to Organic Certification   

These guides provide helpful information for both beginning farmers and current organic operations looking to adopt new management approaches.  

The NOP encourages you to use and share these resources, helping current and prospective organic farms better understand the organic standards.   

Note: the guides are quite large and may take a few minutes to download. 

The NOP fixed the non-working links in Policy Memo 11-3:

Labeling of Alcoholic Beverages with Organic References  

The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.