The following forms are primarily for operations seeking certification, and not for producers who are currently certified. However, if you are certified and are adding a component (e.g., processed products) or making significant changes to your farm plan or crop selection, these fresh new forms are for you as well.

Everyone applying for certification, no matter what they produce or where, must complete the following three forms:
▪ Certification Application (Step 2 below)
▪ Fees Form (Step 3 below)
▪ Organic Producers' Endorsement (Affidavit)

Everyone will also need to complete SUPPLEMENT forms, and the required supplements will vary depending on what is being produced for organic certification. The steps below have been designed to help you determine what forms you need to complete.

Download a printable version of these instructions. (PDF Format, 126 Kb)

For specific deadlines for applicants in 2008 click here.

STEP 1.

Read the 2008 PRACTICE MANUAL (download links below). It explains what practices are permitted, and what practices are prohibited. It describes the certification process, fees, and refund policies. It also contains handy information like the National Organic Program Rule.
    ▪     The 2008 Practice Manual - MOFGA Certification Services' own guide for certification (PDF Format,   370 Kb size)
    ▪     Appendix - USDA National Organic Program (NOP) including National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

Please download and read both.

STEP 2.

Complete the CERTIFICATION APPLICATION (PDF Format, 95 Kb size). This is a basic application form that is to be filled out by everyone. It provides us with contact information for you, as well as marketing information for your products. Completing this form will also help you determine what supplements you will need to complete.

STEP 3.

Complete the FEES FORM (PDF Format, 80 Kb size). This is a green form in the paper packet. The basic fee schedule is on the form. Information about additional fees is presented in the Practice Manual.

STEP 4.

All farmers and gardeners need to complete the ORGANIC FARM PLAN (PDF Format, 160 Kb size). Even dairy and livestock producers need to submit this form.

The only producers that do not need to submit this form are pure processors or handlers-those operations that produce or handle processed products and have no on-farm component. (Pure processors or handlers need to submit a special organic system plan form for processors and handlers- please click here and contact MOFGA Certification Services for more information.)

STEP 5.

Determine whether you need the CROP SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 89 Kb size). Most farmers will need this form. If you till land for crops, or manage land for pasture, you will need to submit this form. This includes all farmers or gardeners with vegetables, herbs, fruits, or flowers, as well as dairy and livestock producers with pasture, hay, corn or grains.

STEP 6.

Determine whether you need the PROCESSOR SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 117 Kb size). If you are a farmer and you make value-added products like jams, jellies, breads, cheese, or teas, you will need to complete this form. If you slaughter and package your own meat birds, you will need to complete this form. Please refer to the Practice Manual for a complete description of what constitutes "processing" and who needs to be certified. For each procuct that you want to certify you will need to complete an Organic Product Profile. If you are entirely or primarily not a farm but you are a manufacturer/processor/handler of organic agricultural products, please click here.

STEP 7.

Determine whether you need the DAIRY SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 159 Kb size). If you sell organic milk, from cows, sheep or goats you need to complete this form.

Important Dairy Herd Conversion Information: MCS requires dairies to inform MCS of their intent to become certified organic at the beginning of the transition year. This is accomplished by completing an INTENT TO TRANSITION form. More information about dairy transition can be found here.

STEP 8.

Determine whether you need the LIVESTOCK SUPPLEMENT and/or POULTRY SUPPLEMENT(PDF Format, 162 Kb size). If you sell organic meat or eggs, you need to complete these forms for every species of animal you have in production. Dairy farmers marketing organic veal or beef from cull cows will need to complete this form as well.

STEP 9.

Determine whether you need the MAPLE SYRUP SUPPLEMENT (PDF Format, 113 Kb size). Major maple syrup producers need to submit their application as early as possible so that an inspection takes place during tapping season. Please refer to the Practice Manual.

STEP 10.

Determine whether you need any other supplements for other organic products that we certify. These include:
    ▪     MUSHROOMS (PDF Format, 71 Kb size)
    ▪     HONEY (PDF Format, 76 Kb size)
    ▪     SPROUTS (PDF Format, 7 Kb size)

STEP 11.

Determine whether you need FIELD HISTORY FORMS (PDF Format, 114 Kb size). All farmers with crops or pasture need to complete a Field History Form for each field or parcel that they manage for organic production. This form chronicles soil amendments, insect and disease control, and crop rotation for at least the last 3 years. For fields that you haven't owned/managed for the last three years a Landholder Affidavit has to be completed.

STEP 12.

Determine whether you need a GREENHOUSE HISTORY FORM (PDF Format, 46 Kb size). All but the tiniest greenhouses should submit this form. Contact MOFGA Certification Services to find out whether your greenhouse qualifies.

LAST STEPS:

All applicants for certification or certification renewal need to sign the ORGANIC PRODUCERS' ENDORSEMENT(PDF Format, 117 Kb size). All individuals listed on the Certification Application need to sign this document. There is a limit of two individuals that may appear on the certificate.The LOGO USE FORM (PDF Format, 86 Kb size) should be completed if you intend to use MOFGA's Certified Organic Logo.

Please make a COPY of your completed application for your files before you mail it. Make sure that you have signed the Organic Producers' Endorsement, and that you have enclosed a check or money order for the appropriate fees. Please contact anyone at MCS if you have any questions.