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

	Production Only	Production & Processing
Crop farms	61	5
Livestock farms	0	2
Crops and livestock	11	0

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

Processing	Handling	Other
22	6	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
18%	14%	9%	9%	18%	32%

Fees set by: Fees vary according to the level of gross sales of organic products for each operation.
Application fee: varies
Annual Fee:

Application fees are due when an application is submitted. They include a base fee of $165 - $300; Mixed Operation fee of $50 -150 (if both organic and non-organic production); Multiple Enterprise fee of $75 (if both crops and livestock are certified); and a New Applicant fee of $150. Inspection fees are billed at cost and include the hourly charge, mileage, meals and lodging charged by our contracted inspectors. Annual inspections generally range in cost from $200 - 500 (depending on the size, location and complexity of the operation). Assessment fees are collected each year with the annual application to continue certification. The assessment charge is 1% of gross sales of organic products made the previous calendar year.

Format: Posted on website
Customer can estimate fees from publication: No

All fees are non-refundable upon receipt.

State organic registration: No
Other: Not Listed

The National Association of State Organic Programs (NASOP).

The departement has established a Montana Organic Commodity Advisory Council (MOCAC), that advises the director on matters of interest to organic growers. The MOCAC conducts an annual review of the certification program. The eight-member MOCAC includes: - Four certified organic producers; - A certified organic handler; - A consumer representative; - An at-large member; and - The director of the department.

Minimum Qualifications: - Two years experience in agricultural production or handling; - Training and experience in organic production and handling related to the type of inspection(s) to be conducted; - Working knowledge of the National Organic Program, Final Rule; - Prior experience conducting organic certification inspections. Preferential Qualifications: - College degree in agriculture; - Successful completion of Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) training (or equivalent training) for the type of inspection(s) to be conducted; - At least two years experience conducting organic certification inspections; - Prior completion of supervised inspections; - Completion of IOIA Inspector Apprenticeship or equivalent program.