Comparison of Organic Certification Agencies

Compiled by Molly Hamilton, North Carolina State University

North Carolina Crop Improvement Association

Quality Certification Services

Clemson Certification

	Quality Certification Services (QCS)
Contact Information	QCS Office P.O. Box 12311 Gainesville, FL 32604 Phone: 352-377-0133
Pricing	First time applicant fee: $75 Standard Farm Certification: Inspection fee (is based on how far away farm is from inspector and how long it takes the inspector) Fee for size of operation: 0-100 acres: $175 101-500 acres: $225 201-300 acres: $300 Assessment fee: 0.5% of gross sales (max annual assessment $5000) due twice a year Contract Producers: Flat rate fee: $1000 per contract producer Inspection fee (varies)
Inspectors	Three NC inspectors located in Maconville, Pittsboro, and Asheville.
Average turn-around time	About 90 days.
Other organic certification	Yes - livestock, processors/handlers, farmers, wildcrafting.
Experience	Certifying organic operations for 16 years - formerly Florida Organic Growers (FOG).
Activism	Involved in many state and federal level organic committees and advisory boards.

	Clemson Certification
Contact Information	Dr. David Howle Department of Plant Industry Clemson University 511 Westinghouse Rd Pendleton, SC 29670 Phone: 864-646-2140
Pricing	Initial application fee: $500 (non-refundable) Annual renewal fee: $400 Inspection fee (based on acreage): first 20 acres (minimum 10 acres): $10/acre above 20 acres: $5/acre Out-of-state travel for inspectors: mileage and expenses at Clemson rate
Inspectors	None located in NC. Most at Clemson, with one in Columbia, SC and one on contract basis in Greensboro, NC.
Average turn-around time	About one month.
Other organic certification	Yes - livestock, processor, farmers.
Experience	Certifying organic operations since April 2002.
Activism	Involved with some local organic organizations such as CFSA.

Notes:

• If a farmer wants to market product outside of the US, certifying agencies with more international experience and involvement such as QCS, Organic Crop Improvement Association, or Oregon Tilth, Inc. should be considered.

• Farmers located nearer to Columbia or Clemson, SC sometimes choose Clemson University as a certifier.

• Turn-around time: It is recommended that farmers send in completed applications to make turn-around time as short as possible. It is also recommend that a farmer back off from the date that certification is needed by the length of the turn-around time to turn in the completed application.
  

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This page last updated September 11, 2006.

URL: http://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms

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