ORGANIC CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI): The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of substances for use in organic production, processing, and handling. OMRI's services are directed to all aspects of the organic industry with a primary focus on the decision makers who deal with the compliance status of generic materials and brand name products. With the OMRI Generic Materials List and OMRI Brand Name Product List, OMRI provides guidance on the suitability of material inputs under the USDA National Organic Program standards.
 

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA): ATTRA National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, funded by the US Department of Agriculture, is managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States.
 

National Organic Program (USDA): Congress passed the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The OFPA and the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations require that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by a State or private entity that has been accredited by USDA. The NOP is a marketing program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Neither the OFPA nor the NOP regulations address food safety or nutrition.
 

LOCAL ORGANIC FARMING ORGANIZATIONS

NOFA/Massachusetts: NOFA/Massachusetts is the Massachusetts chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. NOFA/Mass is a community including farmers, gardeners, landscapers and consumers working to educate members and the general public about the benefits of local organic systems based on complete cycles, natural materials, and minimal waste for the health of individual beings, communities and the living planet.
 

NOFA/Connecticut: NOFA/Connecticut is the Connecticut Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association. Connecticut NOFA is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening the practices of ecologically sound farming and gardening, and to the development of local sustainable agriculture. Our efforts give consumers increased access to safe and healthy food.
 

STATE AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR): The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources' mission is to support, promote and enhance the long-term viability of Massachusetts agriculture with the aim of helping this state’s agricultural businesses become as economically and environmentally sound as possible.
 

Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CDOA): The mission of the Department of Agriculture is to foster a healthy economic, environmental and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage and its contribution to the state's economy.

ORGANIC SEALS & LABELS

Growers, processors, and handlers certified by Baystate Organic Certifiers may use the Baystate Organic Seal and/or the USDA Seal on their packaging as long as they are complying with the restrictions listed in the National Organic Standards sections 205.303-205.305. Seal use is voluntary.

Certified growers, processors, and handlers do not have to use either seal. Processors who are producing certified products that are 100% Organic, Organic, or Made with Organic Ingredients may use the Baystate and/or the USDA seal. Processors producing products with less than 70% organically produced ingredients must not use either the Baystate or USDA seals.

LABEL PRINTERS:

Macaran Printed Products
Contact: Patrick Degnan
P.O. Box 674
Cohoes, NY 12047
Phone: (800) 752-2800 / Fax: (518) 237-0194
E-mail: pdegnan@macaran.com
Web: www.macaran.com

Download the Baystate Organic Seal:

Download the USDA Seal (from the USDA Website):