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Agricultural Chemistry | |
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Agricultural Economic Development Services | |
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Commodity Inspections and Grading | |
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Community Farmers Markets | |
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Dairy | |
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Equine | |
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Export Development | |
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Fish and Seafood Development | |
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Jersey Fresh | |
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Jersey Fresh Quality Grading Program | |
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Jersey Grown | |
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Junior Breeders Program | |
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Licensing and Bonding | |
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Organic Certification Program | |
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Recycling | |
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Third Party Audit | |
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WIC and Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program | |
Organic Agriculture continues to be the fastest growing agricultural sector in the United States and around the world. Consumer demand in the organic sector has grown by more than 10 percent (in some years, twenty percent or more) for over a decade. The USDA Economic Research Service estimates that 20,000 natural food stores and 73 percent of conventional grocery stores now offer organic products.
In 1995 the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) defined organic agriculture in the following manner:
"Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony."
‘Organic’ is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.
Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.
Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."
- Organic Certification Requirements
- Organic Guidance Documents
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey
- Transition of Organic Certification to NJDA
- Organic Certification Requirements
Organic farms and organic “handlers” (food processors and handlers) who produce organic products for sale in the United States must meet the USDA requirements. These requirements are found in the National Organic Program regulations; 7 CFR Part 205, National Organic Program; Final Rule. The Final Rule requires any producer or handler selling more than $5,000 worth of product and making an organic claim be certified by an accredited agent.
- Organic Guidance Documents
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Organic Certification Program has a series of Guidance Documents production (farming) and handling (food processing) clients can use to learn about some of the requirements found in 7 CFR, Part 205, the National Organic Program; Final Rule. Guidance Documents explain what is required by or what is meant by a specific regulation within the rule. Often, specific requirements NJDA may have for their clients to document or verify compliance with a particular rule can be found within the Guidance Documents.
If you have any questions about or recommended changes to any of the Guidance Documents please e-mail the Supervisor at erich.bremer@ag.state.nj.us.
- Buffer Zone Guidance for Growers
- Compost Production and Use Guidance for Organic Producers
- Egg Production Guidance for Producers
- Guidance on Treated Lumber for Producers
- Handling/Processing Certification Application Order Form
- Listing of Certified Organic Seed Sources
- Materials Guidance for Producers
- Organic Certification Fact Sheet for Producers
- Organic Processor/Handling Certification Fact Sheet
- Pest Control Guidance for Handling Operations
- Producer/Farm Application Order Form
- Seeds and Planting Stock Requirements for Producers
- The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey
Since the 1990s, the New Jersey Department of Agriculture has supported the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ) in their mission of organic agriculture outreach, education, and most specifically, certification. Prior to the National Organic Program, NOFA-NJ issued certifications under their own set of standards. In December of 2000, the USDA published the National Organic Program regulations, and all certifying agents whom wished to continue their certification mission had to apply to the USDA for National Organic Program Accreditation. The NOFA-NJ Certification Program became accredited by the USDA to perform organic certifications of crop, livestock, wild crafting, and handling operations during the first round of accreditations in 2002.
- Transition of Organic Certification to NJDA
When the USDA published the organic regulations the NOFA-NJ organic standards were replaced with the new USDA regulations. Organic certification is now regulated by the USDA, making it prudent to transfer the NOFA-NJ Certification Program into the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s Division of Marketing and Development. On March 3, 2003, the State of New Jersey introduced N.J.S.A. 4:10-79, the State law allowing the creation of an organic certification program at the New Jersey Department of Agriculture. On December 4, 2006, N.J.A.C. 2:78 became effective after a period of public review and comment. These rules contain the provisions for the NJDA Organic Certification Program, the new NJDA Transitional Sustainable Label requirements, and the NJDA Organic Registration program. On April 12, 2007, the NJDA was officially accredited by the National Organic Program. On April 29, 2007, the NOFA-NJ Organic Certification Program ended. All previously NOFA-NJ certified clients have been offered the opportunity to participate in the new NJDA Organic Certification Program in a “seamless” transition of their organic certification to the Department.
As we construct the NJDA Organic Certification Program web pages, any Producer (farmer) or Handler (food processor or handler) who is interested in learning more about the regulations and requirements for organic certification, or for an organic certification application form, please contact the NJDA Organic Certification Program at (609) 984-2225 or erich.bremer@ag.state.nj.us and make a request.
