On November 7, 2009 the Kansas Rural Center and the Growing Growers Program sponsored a comprehensive workshop on organic certification. Daniel Parson, Parson Produce of Clinton, S.C., was the featured presenter.
Below you will find the workshop description, Parson's biography and well as all workshop materials available as PDF downloads.
Organic Certification 101 Workshop
Workshop description: This workshop will explain everything you need to know about organic certification: the rule, record keeping, and the process. Taught from a grower’s perspective, the speaker will give practical tools to help with every aspect of obtaining and maintaining organic certification. The organic movement started decades ago and has transformed over the years into an important part of our food system worldwide. In 2001, the USDA began enforcement of the National Organic Program (NOP) that governs certification in the US. You will get a full description of the rule and tips for compliance and record keeping. Materials will include a copy of the rule as well as a farm plan worksheet that will be used in the presentation.
Biography: Daniel Parson is in his twelfth season of organic growing. He started in 1998 at wildflower organics in Dawsonville, GA, where he worked four years. Next, he managed the Clemson University student organic farm for two years, and operated Gaia Gardens in Decatur, GA for five years. This year is the start of a new venture, Parson Produce, featuring a CSA and market garden near Clinton, SC. Daniel has two degrees from Clemson, a BS in Biological Sciences, and an MS in Plant and Environmental Science, focusing on cover crops and organic systems. Daniel has presented on various organic topics to many state and regional groups, including Southern SAWG and Georgia Organics. Recently, Daniel won the 2009 Georgia Organics Land Steward of the Year Award and was listed on Mother Nature Network’s 40 farmers under 40.
Daniel's PowerPoint PDFs
Organic Certification:
In this presentation PDF, Daniel:
- Provides the history of organics and reviews the USDA Organic Program Rule providing definitions for the components.
- Explains the organic certification process and takes us through the nine sections of the Organic Farm Plan Worksheet.
Download the Organic Certification PDF
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