New Farm - Organic Certifiers Database














	

		
				
 
					
				

				
 
					
					
					
				

				
 
					
					
						

						
										
 
											Guide to US Organic Certifiers
										

									

										

							


						

					
					
				
				 
					 
					 
						
												

							

								
									

										

											
											 
											 
										

									

										
							

							

								
									

										
 
											
											
											
											
											
											
										

										
 
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			Certifier Profile
		

		
 
			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic
						Spring Mills, PA, U.S.
					

				

					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		


		

			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic
					

					

						106 School Street, Suite 201
						Spring Mills, PA 16875		
					

					

						 
					

					

						Phone: 814-422-0251
						Email: info@paorganic.org
					

					

						Fax: 814-422-0255
						Website: http://www.paorganic.org
					

					

						Contact Person: Mike Byers
					

				



				Year Founded: 1996				
Business Type: Not-for-profit

				
Geographic Range:

				

					

						Activity in: U.S.
					

									

						All 50 States
					

								


				



				

					

						Activity in: Global Regions
					

										

						Americas
						North America
					

																									
				

					
		


	
		
 
			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
				

					

						Top 3 crops:
						1. grain crops and forages
						2. mixed vegetables, including herbs
						3. Wild crops
					

					

						Top 3 livestock types:
						1. dairy
						2. poultry/eggs
						3. beef
					

				



						
Inspections and certifications
						

						

						Inspections and certifications by type of clients (total number):
						

						
						

							

								 
								Production Only
								Production & Processing
							

							

								Crop farms
								125
								8
							

							

								Livestock farms
								28
								Not listed
							

							

								Crops and livestock
								104
								9
							

						

						

						Inspections and certifications by type of clients (total number):
						

							

								Processing
								Handling
								Other
							

							

								40
								8
								9
							


							
Farm inspections and certifications by size (percentage of certifier's farm total):

							

								

									<5 a
									5-49 a 
									50-179 a
									180-499 a
									500-1000 a
									>1000 a
								

								

									15%
									20% 
									50%
									13%
									2%
									0%
								

							


						
						



						
					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
							Process highlights for new applications
							 - Not Listed							

							Cost structure
							
							

							Fees set by: Production volume, Geographical location, Type of operation, such as livestock, crops or processing								
Application fee: 
									$0																
								
Annual Fee:
									
Minimum: 
									$605
									
Maximum:
									$2,300
									


								


								
Overall charges statement:

											
A basic fee of $605 is charged to all operations when the organic system plan is submitted for approval. Additional fees for the type of operation, geographic location and inspection are charged after the initial review or inspection.

									
								
Fees published: Yes									
Format: 
									Posted on website, Downloadable PDF files, Printed outlines, Newsletter								
								
Customer can estimate fees from publication:  Yes									


								
Refund Policy:
										

											Refunds are available if application is withdrawn before the certification process is completed. Full policy is published in the certification manual available on the PCO website.										


					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
					Types of Certification
							
State organic registration: No							
Other:  Not Listed							

				Other accreditation groups recognized: 
				ISO-65



				
Professional organizations
					
Organic Trade Association, Organic Materials Review Institute, National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Materials Review Institute, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Independent Organic Inspectors Association, The Rodale Institute for Organic Farming Research, Northeast Certifiers Association, Organic Certifiers Council


					Newsletter/Periodical: "Organic Matters," quarterly, also available online					
					
					
		Publications
				
    
			
  1. Certification Manual

  2. Organic Directory

  3. Organic materials list

  4. Organic recordkeeping system

  5. Seed and plant supply list

  6. Organic resource list

  7. Compost and manure use guide

  8. Dairy transition guide

  9. Emarketplace exchange

  10. Informational brochures
		

									Conferences/Events
				
    
			
  1. Farming for the Future conference annual

  2. Organic Standards Workshops twice annual

  3. Organic Dairy Seminar annually

  4. PCO Annual Meeting and Conference
		

									Other Services
				
    
			
  1. "Certified organic" marketing supplies (such as signage, stickers, twist-ties, etc.)

  2. Marketing information (such as market or buyer listings)

  3. Supplier information

  4. Organic production information

  5. Research (trials, support, publicity, reports)

  6. Consultant referrals

  7. Farmer-to-farmer networking services/opportunities
		

									Other Resource Referrals
				
    
			
  1. Alternative Farming Systems publications (ATTRA)

  2. Organic Trade Association resources

  3. Organic Materials Review Institute publications

  4. Field Days and Pasture Walks

  5. Organic Directory

  6. USDA Cost-Share Program publications

  7. Rodale Institute events and publications
		

		

					Other  
PCO reviews materials to determine compliance with organic standards. Electronic marketplace is posted weekly for farmer exchange, listing events, items for sale, materials needed, etc. Meetings are held at the PCO office upon request. Application assistance is available by phone, email or in person.						
					
Cooperating partners?
								
1. Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture          2. Partner / co-sponsor for conferences, field days and workshops          3. Shared services include conferences, field days and workshops
						
					
Full-time receptionist? Yes
					
Response Time Commitment: 
							
								Same day service 
							
						
					
Member records available by email? Yes					
Member able to complete/access records online? No
					
Transparency steps for farmers/public?
					
All certification procedures are published and available to anyone requesting them. Producers meet annually to discuss and adopt certification policies

					
					

							Farmer Friendly Services
				
    
			
  1. We have knowledgeable and experienced staff available to answer specific questions as they arise, in person at our office, as well as by phone, fax or email

  2. PCO develops and distributes many publications that are very useful to our clients, including certification manual, organic directory, organic materials list, seed and plant supply list, organic recordkeeping system, organic resources listing, compost and manure use guide, dairy transition guide, seed and plant requirements guide, livestock health care guide, and informational brochures

  3. We endeavor to meet any special needs of our clients. For example, we use internet-based services for clients who find them helpful; and we provide hitching posts at our office to meet the needs of clients travelling by horse and carriage.
		

									Top Five Strengths
				
    
			
  1. Knowledgeable, experienced staff

  2. Strong membership involvement

  3. Regional location accessible to clients

  4. Frequent workshops, meetings and conferences

  5. Helpful publications and website
		

							
		


	

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Pennsylvania Certified Organic 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
					

						

							Executive/management/support staff
							
						

						

							Full-time9
						

						

							Part-time2
						

						

							Independent Contractors18
						

						

							Other Staff0
						

						

							Total Paid Staff29
						

					


				
Inspectors used in 2002: 12				
Inspector employment status: 
				Independent
				
Qualifications/training for inspectors: 

					
Inspectors must have adequate training and experience to perform the type of inspection assigned

				
Most recent update by certifier: 06/26/08



					
		

	
	


	
						

						

Disclaimer: The certifier profile data shown on this site is for informational purposes, based on data submitted by participating certifiers. The Rodale Institute® does not specifically endorse any certifier, nor guarantee the accuracy of the information. Please contact certifiers to verify information that is critical to decision-making. If you have comments about any of the listings, or listings to add, please contact our guide coordinator