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Training Information: CED-0904 - Introduction to Organic Agriculture (online, self-paced)
Please note: This registration form is step 1. Once you complete this registration form, you'll receive an email with a non-matriculated student registration form that must be filled out and submitted. Completing this second form is necessary for full registration and for creating your VTSU account, which you'll need to activate for access to the online learning management system.
Through this four-hour online training, you will learn the fundamentals of organics and organic certification. This training is ideal for new inspectors, certification reviewers, farmers, and/or anyone interested in understanding organic certification requirements for a farm, company, agency or organization. This is also a great training for those interested in pursuing a career in the organic certification sector. This training is based on current regulatory definitions and requirements within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), and the National Organic Program (NOP).
The training includes four narrated online modules (each requiring roughly one-hour to complete), which are:
What is Organic?
Class 1 explores the meaning of "organic," according to the Organic Foods Production Act, international guidelines, and principles adopted by the National Organic Standards Board, along with a brief history of the organic movement.
What is Certified Organic?
Class 2 explains what it means to be "certified organic." This class covers the organic certification process, the roles of organic inspectors and reviewers, and producer groups. The class summarize U.S. regulatory requirements for the production and sales of organic crops, wild crops, livestock and livestock products, and processed products. It incorporates regulatory changes made by the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) and Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) rule changes.
You Need a Plan!
Class 3 explains the legal and regulatory requirements for an Organic System Plan and how it functions in the organic certification process.
Records and Labels!
Class 4 gets into the weeds of recordkeeping, temporary variances, imports, and labeling requirements.
While there are quizzes in the modules which require an 80% score (quizzes can be retaken as needed), there is no transcript tied to this certificate-bearing training. Participants will be issued a Certificate of Completion from Vermont State University.
This course was developed by Jim Riddle (narrator) and Joyce Ford. Jim was founding president of the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA); former member of the National Organic Standards Board; and, former Organic Outreach Coordinator for the University of Minnesota. Joyce Ford currently serves as chair of the International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) Accreditation Committee. Joyce has developed and delivered numerous organic inspector training courses. Jim and Joyce are co-authors of the IOIA/IFOAM International Organic Inspection Manual, which is used to train organic inspectors throughout the world.
CANCELATION AND REFUNDS: No refunds will be given for cancellations that occur after the online learning management platform account has been activated.
STOP: If you have been awarded a VSAC Advancement Grant or plan to use your AmeriCorps Segal funds, please email CWPE@VermontState.edu to register.