How To Apply

To be considered for organic certification, a field must have been managed organically following the Standards for the previous three consecutive years. Farmland that has been farmed organically for at least the previous twelve consecutive months can be certified "transitional" while awaiting eligibility to be certified organic. However, produce from a transitional field may not be represented or marketed as organic and may not be used as organic ingredients in other products.

To become certified, a crops or livestock producer must submit an application prior to the submission deadline with the required documentation to the Division of Agriculture. After these documents are reviewed by the Division and show apparent compliance, the applicant is either notified of a need for submission of additional information or of completeness of the application. When the application documents are complete, an inspector from the Division visits the operation to verify that the organic system plan is being followed in accordance with the Standards. Following inspection, the Division reviews the inspection report and notifies the applicant of any noncompliances or additional information or corrections that may be needed. When the application and organic plan are complete and compliant, the operation can be certified.

Applications

The links below contain fillable, savable forms in PDF format. Updating to the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader may be necessary to use these forms. For questions about which forms are needed for each category and application type and for application submission deadlines, read How to Apply, and for more information contact the Division of Agriculture by email at matt.green@dem.ri.gov or by telephone at (401) 222-2781. Mail completed forms and supporting documentation with the $50.00 application fee to the RI DEM Division of Agriculture, 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908-5767.