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WSDA Organic Program

Program Manager: Brenda Book
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What is organic?

Organic is a labeling term that indicates that an agricultural product has been produced by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Use of sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering, and most synthetic fertilizers or pesticides is prohibited. Organic certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products with an organic claim.


The National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The NOP is responsible for developing national standards for organically-produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with an organic claim meet consistent, uniform requirements. In order to sell, label, or represent products as organic, operations must follow all of the specifications set out by the USDA organic regulations, including being certified by a USDA accredited certification agency. 

WSDA Organic Program

WSDA Organic Program is accredited as a certification agent by USDA. As a certification agent of the National Organic Program, WSDA Organic Program's role is to inspect and certify organic operations; verifying that they are meeting the requirements of USDA organic standards. WSDA strives to provide quality services to our stake holders: the certified operations we work with, new applicants considering organic certification, the manufacturers that provide compliant input materials, and the consumers that support the organic industry.

Forms and other Resources

For your convenience, WSDA Organic Program maintains a webpage that includes all of the forms and applications necessary to apply for an maintain your organic certification. Additionally WSDA Organic Program, has compiled a collection of factsheets, guides, and other resources which we consider to be useful for both potential new applicants and currently certified businesses.