Organic Regulations 101

This training is for anyone interested in learning more about the organic regulations and how organic certification works! Participants gain specialized knowledge of organic regulations and certification, useful for farms interested in organic certification or practices (whether already certified or interested in transitioning), government agencies, non-profit organizations, technical service providers, or people interested in careers in organic certification. 

Prerequisite: All participants in the in-person course(s) must first take the four short online classes on the history and meaning of “organic,” as well as general organic requirements offered through Vermont State University. These online classes may take up to an hour each to complete (for a total of four hours) and include graded quizzes. Work at your own pace through these recorded modules, but they must be completed prior to the in-person session. Register for the prerequisite course here. 

The in-person training is two to four days, depending on your area(s) of interest – two days are dedicated to crop production training and two days to livestock training. Participants may attend just the crops course, just the livestock course, or both. The in-person courses include lectures, discussion groups, and field trips to a certified organic vegetable and livestock operation. The courses follow the format of the Vermont Organic Farmers Organic System Plan.

Crops Course: October 14-15, 2024; 9:00-4:30

Instructors: Jim Riddle and Joyce Ford

Farm Visit: Luna Bleu Farm

Livestock Course: October 16-17, 2024; 9:00-4:30

Instructor: Lisa McCrory

Farm Visit: Wayside Farm

Instructor Bios:

The instructors of the crop course, Jim Riddle and Joyce Ford, have long played leading roles in the organic sector, as farmers, inspectors, educators, authors, and speakers. In the early 1990’s, they established the International Organic Inspectors Association, (IOIA), and co-authored of the International Organic Inspection Manual. Jim is former chair of the USDA National Organic Standards Board. In 2009, Jim and Joyce started Blue Fruit Farm, growing organic perennial fruits. In 2013, Jim and Joyce received EcoFarm’s coveted Stewards of Sustainable Ag (Sustie) award and were named the 2019 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year.

The instructor for the livestock course, Lisa McCrory, is a certified organic farmer and an organic inspector, and has worked and played in the organic world since the early 1990’s. Part of UVM’s Pasture Management Outreach Program (1992 -1995), Lisa assisted many producers in developing and managing successful grazing systems for all types of livestock. She worked for NOFA-VT from 1995 – 2010, providing on-farm technical assistance and organizing conferences & workshops to meet the needs of the growing number of organic livestock and dairy operations throughout the state. With a farm operation of her own, she focused on farming full time and raising a family for the next 10 years, and in 2021 she started working for VOF as an Independent Organic Inspector, and continues to farm with her 3 children, where they produce and market organic raw milk, dairy beef, garlic, vegetables, flowers, and herbs at Earthwise Farm & Forest in Bethel, VT.

The in-person course is generously being funded by the Transition to Organic Partnership Program for all participants.