California's Organic Program is responsible for enforcement of the Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, and the California Organic Products Act of 2003. These statutes protect consumers, producers, handlers, processors, and retailers by establishment of standards under which fresh agricultural products/foods may be labeled and/or sold as "organic".

Organic Registration

Every person engaged in the state of California in the production or handling of raw agricultural products sold as organic, and retailers that are engaged in the production of products sold as organic, and retailers that are engaged in the processing, as defined by the National Organic Program, of products sold as organic; SHALL register with the State Organic Program. If the expected organic gross sales exceed $5,000, certification by an outside certifying agent is also required.

New and Amended Organic Registrations:

New and Amended applications for organic registration can now be completed and submitted online. In the link below you will need to find and click on the GREEN online registration button.

• CDFA Organic Registration
• CDFA - California State Organic Program

Renewing Your Organic Registration:

Each organic registrant must annually renew the registration unless no longer engaged in the activities requiring the registration. The State Organic Program will issue a renewal application 30 days prior to the expiration of the registration.

You should complete and submit your renewal directly to the California Department of Food and Agriculture. You may also delete sites/acreage from your renewal by simply noting same upon your Organic Producers/Handlers/Processors Application and Registration and attaching it to your renewal form.

Becoming Certified Organic

In accordance with the California Organic Products Act of 2003 and the National Organic Program if your annual gross sales are more than $5,000.00 you are required by law to be certified. (7CFR205.100)

Attached is a list of accredited certification agencies in the state of California.

• Organic Certifier's List
• Who has to be Certified

Cost Share Program

The United States Department of Agriculture has provided funds to the California Department of Food and Agriculture for distribution to operations that have been certified organic by a USDA accredited certifier to offset the cost of initial certification.

The applicant must submit the application form(s) along with a copy(s) of certification and copy(s) of the associated expenses required to obtain and/or maintain certification and the completed form STD 204.

• Cost Share Application

For additional information regarding the California Organic Program, you may visit the California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) Website.

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