Thanks go out to the ASAP Program in the NRES Department in the College of ACES at the UIUC and the Illinois Department of  Agriculture’s C-2000 Sustainable Agriculture Program.

Table of Contents

Basic Sources

Independent Agencies

Blogs

Organic Certification

Primer on Organic Practices

Organic and Direct Marketing in the Midwest

Additional Reading

Basic Sources

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990,
The legislation that authorized the establishment of the NOP, the NOSB and the Standards for organic production, processing and trade.

USDA National Organic Program (NOP)
Program establishes national standards for the production and handling of organically produced products, including a National List of substances approved for and prohibited from use in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
The board's main mission is to assist the Secretary in developing standards for substances to be used in organic production. The NOSB also advises the Secretary on other aspects of implementing the national organic program.

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
National nonprofit organization that determines which input products are allowed for use in organic production and processing. OMRI Listed—or approved—products may be used on operations that are certified organic under the USDA National Organic Program.

Organic Trade Association (OTA)
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is a membership-based business association that focuses on the organic business community in North America.  OTA's mission is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy.

Alternative Farming Systems Information Center
Part of the USDA National Agriculture Library, this site contains AFSIC Information guides, UDSA publications, and resources on organic production.

Organic Ag Information Access
An electronic collection of historic (pre 1942) USDA publications related to organic agriculture.

Independent Agencies

The Cornucopia Institute
A corporate watchdog assuring that no compromises to the credibility of organic farming methods and the food it produces are made in the pursuit of profit.

The New Farm
The Rodale Institute’s clearinghouse for regenerative agriculture and farmer-to-farmer know-how.  Many pertinent articles, certifiers directory, Organic Price Index, Farm Locator, Farm Select organic vs. conventional comparison tool, classifieds, farmers forums, and Rodale Institute research.

Agricultural Marketing Resource Center (AgMRC)
National information resources for value-added agriculture.  Topics including marketing commodities and products, industry trends, business ventures and entrepreneurship, and research results.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF)
Organic research and grant-making organization that also helps create organic policy and publications, most notably the National Organic Farmers’ Surveys.

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES)
Sponsors of the largest organic farming conference in the nation, held annually in LaCrosse, WI.  Site offers conference details, publications, organic resources, and information on transitioning to organic production.

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
Seeks to assist, coordinate, and harmonize the movements toward organic standards and principles worldwide.  Global membership holds international events, answers common questions, and performs outreach.

Organic Agriculture Information
The site contains searchable, scientific articles on production, economic data, research results, farmer anecdotes, certification information, transition strategies, and other subjects related to organic agriculture.

Blogs

Free, on-line web-logs on organic food and farming

Tiny Farm Blog – “organic micro-farming with two acres and some tools”

Organic Horizon – “farming’s bright future”

Organic Authority.com – “get hip, go organic!”

Organic Researcher – “a blog about the latest developments in organic food and farming”

Organic Agriculture – commentary by Mahdi Ebrahimi

American Feast – “sustainable food blog”

The Ethicurean – “Chew the right thing”

Organic Certification, HOW TOs and FAQs

On becoming organic
Organic certification in Illinois
Frequently asked questions
ATTRA’s Overview of Organic Crop Production
ATTRA’s National Organic Program Compliance Checklist
ATTRA’s Guide to Creating an Organic Production and Handling System Plan
Organic Certification of Research Sites and Facilities by Jim Riddle
Organic Ag Info

Examples of Organic Certification Applications

Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
Indiana Certified Organic
Organic Crop Improvement Association International
Oregon Tilth, Inc.

Certification Organizations Serving the Midwest

Certified Organic, Inc.
500 First St.
Keosauqua, IA 52565
Phone: (866) 581-6428
E-mail: certifiedorg@netins.net

Global Organic Alliance, Inc.
P.O. Box 530
3185 Township Rd. 179
Bellefontaine, OH
Phone: (937) 593-1232
E-mail: globalorganicalliance@hughes.net

Indiana Certified Organic
8364 South SR39
Clayton, IN 46118
Phone: (317) 539-4317
E-mail: icollc@earthlink.net

International Certification Services, Inc.
301 5th St. SE
Medina, ND 58467
Phone: (701) 486-3578
E-mail: info@ics-intl.com

Midwest Organic Services Association
P.O. Box 821

122 W. Jefferson St.
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-2526
E-mail: mosa@mosaorganic.org

Organic Crop Improvement Association International
1340 N. Cotner
Lincoln, NE 68505
Phone: (402) 477-2323
E-mail: info@ocia.org

Oregon Tilth, Inc.
470 Lancaster Dr. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 378-0690
E-mail: organic@tilth.org

Crop Production