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Training Information: CED-0560 - Organic Specialist Training for Crops (online, self-guided)
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 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:
1. What is Organic? (history, philosophy, NOSB Principles)
2. What is Certified Organic? (certification process, legal and regulatory requirements)
3. You Need a Plan! (OFPA and NOP requirements for Organic System Plans)
4. Records and Labels! (recordkeeping requirements and approved label claims)
There are quizzes for each module, requiring an 80% score to pass (which can be retaken as needed). 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.
REGISTRATION: Registration closes two (2) weeks before the training starts. Registrations are not accepted within five (5) days of the training.
CANCELATION: Cancelations occurring within five (5) days of the training start will be assessed a $35 cancelation fee. No refunds are given for no-shows.
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.
Please contact the Center for Agriculture & Food Entrepreneurship for additional information and/or questions