So you’re thinking of getting certified organic, but what does that mean? What do you have to do to get organic certification for your operation?

An agricultural product must be certified by a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifier to be labeled as “certified organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic…” Exceptions are made for producers making less than $5,000 a year in organic sales, but they must abide by national organic standards and may not label their product as “certified organic.”

Getting Certified

For the state of New Mexico, organic certifications can take place through the New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) Organic Program or any other USDA-accredited certifier. The following process is for getting certified organic by the NMDA Organic Program:

  • Read the rulescarefully (which can be found here), then submit an application (which is your Organic System Plan) and fee.
  • Keep detailed records of your activities and inputs. These need to include activity logs, production records, maps, input lists, and sales records. If you need free record keeping forms, visit To be certified, you need a history of the last three years of the land that indicates all the inputs and activities that have taken place on that land.
  • Prepare for your inspection and verification by an NMDA inspector. Once your application has been processed, an inspector will call to schedule an audit. This on-site inspection will include all aspects of your operation along with a review of your documents and records. The inspector will then submit a report to NMDA.
  • Following the inspection, your certifier will be in touch with you regarding any questions or further requirements.

Approval

After the inspector’s report has been submitted and the certifier has reviewed it, any of the following are possible:

  • Certification: You will be granted your organic certification.
  • Certification with conditions: You will be granted your certification with some stipulated conditions that must be met by a specified deadline.
  • Request for additional documentation: You will be asked to provide additional documentation in order to answer questions particular to your operation. Your certification will be based on the receipt and acceptability of the documents requested.
  • Denial of certification: Your certification could be denied. If this happens, you will receive an explanation for the denial and a guide for appealing the denial.

Organic Certification Categories

NMDA has four different organic certification categories:

  • Organic Farm Production Certification: This certification includes all crops, pastures, wild crops, and greenhouses.
  • Organic Livestock Production Certification: (Two separate categories: ruminant and nonruminant). This includes all livestock, meats, dairy, eggs, etc.
  • Organic Processor/Handler Certification: Processor/handler operations that produce or handle a product for sale including all packaged or processed products fall under this category (e.g., baking, canning, packaging, etc.).
  • Organic Processor/Handler Certification (Custom Service Provider): Providers of a custom service who do not take ownership of or sell the product fall into this category (e.g., custom ginning, shelling, milling, etc.).

Application Fees

Application fees must be submitted with the application forms. Keep in mind that fees do not guarantee you will be certified.

  • First time applicants of any kind……………………………………………………………………………….. $250
  • Organic farm, livestock, or processor/handler …………………………………………………………. $200
  • Custom service provider…………………………………………..………………………………………………. $225

Please call (505)841-9422 for details about multiple certification category fees.

Annual Assessment Fees

All operations that receive organic certification must report annual gross organic sales figures to NMDA and pay an annual assessment based on gross sales of organic products. The fees are calculated as follows:

  • Producers, processors, and handlers whose annual organic gross sales are less than $1 million are charged three fourths of one percent (3/4 of 1 percent) of the annual gross sales of organically produced agricultural products.
  • Producers, processors, and handlers whose organic gross sales are above $1 million are assessed at a rate of $7,500 plus seventy-five one thousandths of one percent (75/1000 of 1 percent) on any amount over$1 million of total annual gross sales of organically produced agricultural products.

Additional Inspection and Audit Fees

New fields, some new crops or livestock, or some new productsadded after your annual inspection will be treated as a request for an additional inspection; and additional fees will apply. If an inspection is not needed, you will only be charged for the desk audit.

An additional inspection may be required if:

  • You have new or additional fields or pastures.
  • You have new products that are significantly different from the ones you have been making. (e.g., making salsa where only tortillas were made before.)
  • You have new crops that are significantly different from others previously inspected and need specialized equipment or handling.
  • You have any other significant changes to your Organic System Plan.

Certification Cost Reimbursement Program

NMDA administers a federal program that will reimburse you up to 75 percent of your certification costs, not to exceed an annual$750 per certificate. The funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis – so apply early.

Certification FAQ

We hear questions about Organic Certification on a regular basis. If you have a question, read through this FAQ to see if it’s already answered here. If this doesn’t address your concerns, don’t hesitate to call or e-mail us for more information.

Why do I have to get certified? My practices are organic, can’t I just market it that way?

Federal law requires thatto label your product “certified organic,” “organic,” or “made with organic…,” you must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier, unless you gross less than $5,000 per year in organic sales. If that’s the case, you must follow the national organic standards; and you cannot label your product as “certified organic” or use the USDA seal. Also, you cannot sell your products for use in a certified organic product or as feed for certified organic animals.

Who can offer certifications in New Mexico?

Producers who want to be certified organic can choose any USDA-accredited certifier they wish to use. NMDA is USDA accredited to certify crop, livestock, and processing operations within the state of NewMexico.

What do I have to do to get certified?

To get your organic certification, you must submit an annual Organic System Plan the first year you apply, have an inspection, and pay a fee every year. After your first application, you only need to update your Organic System Plan with any changes you have made.

What are the fees NMDA charges?

The fees charged for certifications are a $200 annual application fee and three-fourths of one percent on gross organic sales. At this point, we offer a reimbursement program through the Federal Cost-Share Program that will offer you up to 75 percent reimbursement on your expenses, not to exceed $750 total.

If I want to be certified organic, what do I have to do with my land?

In order to be certified organic, land must have been free of any applications of a prohibited material (synthetic chemicals including fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, or treated/GMO seeds) for the last three years.

What are my seed options if I’m certified organic?

Organic farmers must use organic seed if it’s commerciallyavailable. The cost of seed isn’t a valid reason to use nonorganicseeds. Treated/GMO seed is always prohibited and is considered an application of prohibited material.

Can I use water from the acequia or do I have to find another option?

Water from your acequia is completely acceptable.

If I’m certified organic, how can I manage any pest problems I might get?

Certified organic producers are required to manage pests through cultural methods by choosing appropriate varieties, rotating crops, creating habitat for natural enemies,etc. There are some “natural” pesticides that may be used with certifier approval if cultural measures prove insufficient. Many of the allowable pesticides can be found at

If I’m certified organic, what does that mean for my inputs?

Certified organic producers should be extremely cautious about using any inputs such as fertilizers or pest controls that are labeled “organic.” That label does not mean the products are suitable for certified organic production, and they may contain sewage sludge or other ingredients thatareprohibited in certified organic farming.

What if I want to raise certified organic animals?

Livestock must be “born organic” onto certified-organic land by mothers that have been under organic management from the last trimester.(There is an exception for a one-time transition of an entire dairy herd. Visit with us for details). Poultry must be under organic management bythe second day after hatching.

What if I want to produce and package certified organic products?

Ingredients must be certified organic or allowed in organic products. There are different labeling categories for organic processed products. Check out the categories here.

Where do I apply?

You can find the applications at the NMDA site here or call us at (505) 841-9428 or (505) 841-9422.