If your gross agricultural income from organic sales totals more than $5,000 annually, your production or handling operation must be certified organic. The overview below explains the certification process and USDA financial assistance programs.

If your gross agricultural income from organic sales totals less than $5,000 annually, organic certification is not required. However, your production or handling operation must meet all requirements in subpart C of the USDA organic regulations. All operations must also meet the organic labeling requirements. Organic products from non-certified operations may not be used as ingredients identified as organic in processed products produced by another handling operation.

Interested in Home Gardening?

USDA provides multiple resources related to home gardening, nurseries, horticulture, composting, and landscaping.