Monterey County Certified Organic

Monterey County Certified Organic Standards and Certification

Introduction
The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is the first county agency to be registered as an organic certifying agency with the State of California and the first county agency to be accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture. Operations seeking certification as organic must comply with rigid standards including long-term soil management plans, buffer zones between organic farms and conventional farms AND specific requirements for labeling and record keeping. Prior to any crop harvest, soil must be free from prohibited materials for 36 months to meet requirements for certification. All organic operations are required to maintain detailed records of all input materials applied in their growing operations. Strict guidelines are followed during annual certification inspections providing consumers with full disclosure of how food is produced.

Monterey County Certified Organic program (MCCO) was developed by the Agricultural Commissioner’s staff using the certification standards of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP).

Purpose and Program Objectives

Apply standards and certification procedures for agricultural products marketed as organically grown. Enhance the credibility of organic agriculture as a viable systems approach and the preservation of our environment.
Assure consumers that organically produced products adhere to the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) as amended in the National Organic Program (NOP) published in the Federal Register/Vol. 65, No. 49, 7 CFR Part 205 effective February 20, 2001.
Facilitate commerce in fresh and processed food that is produce organically in Monterey County.

MCCO Program
As a government agency MCO provides certification services in the following areas: crop production, handlers, processors, livestock, wild crops, pasture, silage and hay. Certification is granted to those who demonstrate compliance with the NOP regulations and can substantiate their ability to maintain the integrity of their organic commodities.

MCCO Background
For over 109 years, the Agricultural Commissioner’s Office has provided service to consumers and the agricultural industry in Monterey County. By promoting and protecting agriculture, all parties benefit by receiving the best quality food and fiber available with the added assurance of safety and full disclosure of products produced.

The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office provides service to industry and consumers in the following areas; Pesticide use Enforcement, which issues restricted materials permits, and conducts pesticide use inspections. The Plant Quarantine Division oversees export certification, pest eradication, pest exclusion, pest management, seed inspection, nursery inspection, botany, entomology and biological control. The Fruit, Vegetable and Egg Standardization Division providing quality control for agricultural commodities. Al divisions contribute to the operation of the successful Monterey County Organic Certification program.

Organic Certification Process
Upon request for certification, MCCO requires completion of an official application form, an Organic System Plan or Organic Handler Plan, and statement of compliance that states applicant agrees to comply with NOP organic standards.

Review of Application for Certification
Upon receipt MCCO will review the applicant’s Organic System Plan and all supporting documents to make a preliminary evaluation of the operation’s compliance and/or ability to comply with the applicable requirements of the NOP organic standards.

Inspection for Certification
MCCO will arrange on-site inspection of each farm, livestock, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation, to gather all information necessary for determination compliance with the NOP organic standards.

Verification of information
The inspection of an operation shall be sufficient to assess the operation’s compliance, or ability to comply, with all applicable requirements of the organic standards, including verification that information submitted in the Organic System Plan accurately reflects the practices and/or inputs used or to be used by the operation.

Inspection Report
A written inspection report shall be done that presents the inspector’s observations and assessments concerning the accuracy of the operation’s Organic System Plan and the operation’s compliance, or ability to comply, with all applicable requirements of the NOP organic standards.

Certification Approval
Upon completion of the on-site inspection and receipt of the inspection report, MCCO shall review the inspection report, together with the operation’s application for certification, Organic System Plan, statement of compliance and all other applicable supporting documents to determine certification approval.

Upon determining to approve the certification of an operation, MCCO shall provide a written notification to the certification applicant’s place of business, indicating in such notification, restrictions or requirements, if any, imposed as conditions for certification.

For more information on organic certification or to receive an application package, please contact the Organic Division at 831-759-7325.