New Farm - Organic Certifiers Database














	

		
				
 
					
				

				
 
					
					
					
				

				
 
					
					
						

						
										
 
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			Certifier Profile
		

		
 
			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM)
						Virden, MB, Canada
					

				

					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		


		

			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM)
					

					

						101-247 Welllington Street West
						Virden, MB R0M 2		
					

					

						 
					

					

						Phone: 204-748-1315
						Email: info@opam.mb.ca
					

					

						Fax: 204-748-6881
						Website: http://www.opam.mb.ca
					

					

						Contact Person: Lara Scott
					

				



				Year Founded: 1988				
Business Type: Not-for-profit

				
Geographic Range:

				

					

						Activity in: U.S.
					

																								

						Midwest
						MN, ND, WI
					

															
								


				



				

					

						Activity in: Global Regions
					

										

						Americas
						North America
					

																									
				

					
		


	
		
 
			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM) 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
				

					

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

					

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

				



						
Inspections and certifications
						

						

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

						
						

							

								 
								Production Only
								Production & Processing
							

							

								Crop farms
								Not listed
								0
							

							

								Livestock farms
								Not listed
								Not listed
							

							

								Crops and livestock
								Not listed
								Not listed
							

						

						

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

							

								Processing
								Handling
								Other
							

							

								2
								1
								Not listed
							


							
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
								

								

									Not listed
									Not listed 
									Not listed
									Not listed
									Not listed
									Not listed
								

							


						
						



						
					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM) 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
							Process highlights for new applications
							 - Not Listed							

							Cost structure
							
							

							Fees set by: Acreage								
Application fee: 
									approx. $500																
								
Annual Fee:
									
Minimum: 
									$500
									
Maximum:
									$1000
									


								


								
Overall charges statement:

											 - Not Listed
									
								
Fees published: Yes									
Format: 
									Posted on website, Printed outlines, Newsletter								
								
Customer can estimate fees from publication:  Yes									


								
Refund Policy:
										

											Prior to inspection, 50% refund; after inspection, fees are non-refundable										


					
		

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM) 
					

					

						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
					 - Not Listed


					Newsletter/Periodical: "Organic Voice," bimonthly, also available on-line					
					
					
		Publications
				
    
			
  1. OPAM Operating Manual

  2. Back to the Basics:  A Manual for Weed Management on Organic Farms
		

									Conferences/Events
				
    
			
  1. Annual Fall Marketing Conference

  2. Annual Annual General Meeting and Production Seminar

  3. Organic sessions at Manitoba Ag Days

  4. Rural seminars as co-ordinated by Manitoba Agriculture & Food
		

									Other Services
				
    
			
  1. Marketing information (such as market or buyer listings)

  2. Supplier information

  3. Organic production information

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

  5. Farmer-to-farmer networking services/opportunities
		

									Other Resource Referrals
		 - None Listed


					Other   - Not Listed						
					
Cooperating partners?
								 - Not Listed						
					
Full-time receptionist? Yes
					
Response Time Commitment: 
							
								Response within 24 hours 
							
						
					
Member records available by email? No					
Member able to complete/access records online? No
					
Transparency steps for farmers/public?
					
Need clarification - what specifically are you interested in - conflict of interest, publication of audit?

					
					

							Farmer Friendly Services
				
    
			
  1. Bi-monthly newsletter, free to members

  2. Annual production and marketing seminars

  3. Web site
		

									Top Five Strengths
				
    
			
  1. Grass-roots organization

  2. Accredited certifier

  3. Non-profit

  4. Regional focus

  5. Friendly, personal service
		

							
		


	

	
		
 
			
				

					

						Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Co-operative Inc. (OPAM) 
					

					

						Essentials
						Clients
						Fees
						Services/Affiliations
						Staff/Inspectors
					

				

					
		

		

			
					

						

							Executive/management/support staff
							
						

						

							Full-time3
						

						

							Part-time2
						

						

							Independent Contractors0
						

						

							Other Staff0
						

						

							Total Paid Staff5
						

					


				
Inspectors used in 2002: 13				
Inspector employment status: 
				Independent
				
Qualifications/training for inspectors: 

					
Minimum requirement is IOIA or equivalent organization training

				
Most recent update by certifier: 05/10/05



					
		

	
	


	
						

						

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