USDA has announced that the Oregon Department of Agriculture is now able to offer organic certification. ODA has become an accredited certifying agent for the National Organic Program. ODA inspectors can begin inspecting organic production and handling operations to certify they meet USDA standards. Oregon becomes the 16th state to offer certification under the National Organic Program.

Those interested in getting certified can apply anytime before the April 1, 2010 deadline, to be on the inspection schedule through the coming year. Producers and handlers will need to apply to ODA every year for certification.

Six ODA employees are trained and qualified to conduct organic audits. Inspectors will be located in all ODA district offices across the state to offer regional expertise and close proximity.

“It's not to take away from Oregon Tilth or any of the other organic certifiers currently operating in the state,” says ODA director Katy Coba. “It will still be the choice of the grower or processor. They don't have to use ODA’s organic certification services.”

Many of the inquiries about the ODA certification program are coming from companies that were certified by the Washington State Department of Agriculture. WSDA is phasing out its organic certification services in Oregon. ODA has looked at WSDA's program as a model and a training source.

Part of Oregon’s allocation of federal Specialty Crop Grant funds last year was used to set up ODA’s organic certification program. The agency will focus on crops in the first year and will not conduct organic livestock certification or certify organic wild crops, such as wild mushrooms.

Organic production represents a small percentage of overall agricultural production in Oregon, but it continues to grow. According to the latest U.S. Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years, organic production sales in Oregon increased nearly 900 percent, from about $9.9 million in 2002 to $88 million in 2007. More than 92,000 acres are now planted for organic production.