Horticulture & Specialty Crops
Organic Horticulture Certification Checklist
Use this checklist to prepare a horticulture farm for organic certification. It helps you gather plans and records to discuss with your certifier. Fill it in by hand and file it so you can compare notes year to year.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
ChecklistHorticulture & Specialty CropsFree PDF
What is on this checklist
- Contact an accredited certifier
- Map fields and buffers
- Gather field history records
- List inputs used and planned
- Check seed and plant sources
- Set up record keeping system
- Write the organic system plan
- Plan for inspection day
How to use this checklist
Use one sheet per unit, pen or field. Date it, sign it, and file the finished copy so you can look back at what was found and fixed.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA AMS and USDA.
For more in this area, see the row crop calendar. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Organic or Not?, and farming farm stories.