Maryland Organic Certification Program
What is Organic Certification?
Organic certification verifies that your farm or handling facility complies with USDA organic regulations and allows you to sell, label, and represent your products as organic. Farms and handling facilities are certified by USDA-accredited certifying agents, which ensure that products marketed as organic meet or exceed all organic standards. Organic certification is evidence of your operation's adherence to a prescribed system of agriculture and food production and provides the consumer assurance of the organic product's integrity.
Organic production systems rely on the integration of cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Organic operations must maintain or enhance soil and water quality while also conserving wetlands, woodlands, and wildlife. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used in organic production systems.
For more information, refer to USDA's Guide for Organic Certification - PDF.
About the Maryland Organic Certification Program
The Maryland Department of Agriculture's Organic Certification Program (MOCP) is accredited by the USDA as a certifier of organic farms in Maryland. MDA does not certify farms outside of Maryland.
Crop and livestock operations in Maryland are eligible for certification by MOCP to National Organic Program standards. MOCP does not certify individual organic processing/handling operations (e.g., food processors, brokers, importers, etc.).
Transitioning to Organic Production
In order to be eligible for organic certification, production land must undergo a 3 year transition process during which materials prohibited in organic production (such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, hydrated or burnt lime, most other synthetic materials) are not applied. During the transition period, the farm adopts other organic production practices, such as implementation of crop rotations, application of plant and animal materials for soil fertility, and use of management practices to prevent pests, weeds, and diseases.
In preparation for applying for organic certification, farms will develop their written organic system plan (OSP). The OSP is the foundation of the organic certification process. The OSP outlines the farm's plans to achieve and maintain compliance with the organic regulations. OSP templates can be found on USDA's website.
As an organic certifier, MOCP is unable to provide specific guidance or consulting on how to comply with the organic regulations on your farm. However, the following programs offer guidance, mentorship, and/or consulting for farms in need of assistance in developing their OSP or meeting the organic regulations:
- The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) provides mentorship opportunities, technical assistance, community building, and workforce training.
- The Rodale Institute offer consulting services to farms interested in transitioning to organic production.
Applying for Organic Certification
Cost Share Reimbursement
The Farm Bill provides funding to assist with the costs of organic certification, subject to USDA funding annually. Producers and handlers certified by USDA accredited certifiers are eligible to receive reimbursement for 75% of certification fees, up to a maximum of $750 per scope.
Operations that are certified by MOCP can apply for cost-share funding when submitting their application for certification.
Operations located in Maryland that are certified by another organic certifying agent can also apply for cost-share funding through MDA. In order to apply for cost-share, non-MDA certified producers must submit an application for cost-share reimbursement, proof of payment of certification fees (invoices marked as paid), and IRS Form W-9 - PDF.
COST SHARE UPDATE (August 2026): USDA has announced that organic cost-share funding for 2025 and 2026 has been approved, but USDA has not made the funding available to state agencies. As soon as USDA makes the funding available to MDA, cost share applications for non-MDA certified operations will be posted here. (MDA-certified operations submit their cost-share applications with annual renewal paperwork and do not need to re-apply).