CenterCenter for for Crop Crop Diversification Diversification System Crop ProfileProfile CCD-CP-138CCD-SP-10

OrganicGinger Certification and Turmeric Process CherylMatt Ernst Kaiser1 and1 and Kristi Matt Durbin Ernst22 IntroductionIntroduction GingerGrowers ( whoZingiber plan to officinale market their Roscoeagricultural) and turmericproducts (asCurcuma “organic” longa or “certified) both have organic” a long historymust first of usebe certiin- Asian,fied by African a USDA-accredited and Caribbean certifier.cuisines. Fresh Certification, ginger is- re availablequired by year-round federal regulation, in the U.S. provides and third-party from veripro-- ducefication wholesalers that the growersourcing is fromcomplying global suppliers,with production and bothstandards are widely regulated available by the in National their dried, Organic ground Program form that(NOP). is produced Annual inspections from their undergroundand detailed recordkeeping rhizomes. are required for continuing certification. These regu- Thelations U.S. are ginger meant crop to ensure is mainly integrity grown of in the Hawaii. USDA Re or-- cently,ganic seal some and U.S. to protectvegetable consumers and greenhouse by ensuring growers that haveall organic added producersginger and are turmeric adhering as high-value to the same special set of- tyuniform crops tostandards. meet consumer demands for locally grown ingredients. Producers in the northeast have success- The Kentucky Department of (KDA) can ers, who must comply with all NOP regulations, may fully produced ginger in high tunnels, and experience serve as the certifying agent for Kentucky and market their products as “organic,” but they may not with ginger and turmeric production (through the 2018 processors. While there are many benefits (e.g. cost) to claim they are “certified organic” nor may they use the season) indicates both crops may be adaptable to high using the KDA, growers may instead contract with any USDA organic logo. These products are also not eligi- tunnel production in Kentucky. ble for use as ingredients in certified organic products. accredited certifier who is willing to inspect an opera- BaBy ginger tion located in the Commonwealth, if they prefer. This Marketing at grocery stores. Turmeric producers should also pro- profile will address the steps involved in the USDA Obtain an Application and the NOP Standards Kentucky producers have focused on selling directly vide use guidelines, as fresh turmeric is not commonly organic certification process. It is one in a series of in- The producer needs to contact the KDA for an applica- to consumers, using local market channels like farmers found in the marketplace. Common uses include using troductory information sheets concerning organic crop tion packet and a copy of the National Organic Pro- the vegetative tops of both plants to make teas, and marketsproduction and in community Kentucky. supported agriculture. A few gram Standards or regulations as soon as they begin producers also sell these specialty crops via wholesale bothto seriously crops are consider used in organic juicing. production. Both rhizomes The canapplica also- marketingCertification for restaurant vs. Registration chefs. Some retailers betion dehydrated, is a short form pickled that or outlines candied. the producer’s opera- focusedCertification on offering is required organic for organic and local growers produce with havean an- tion and includes all of their contact information and a reportednual gross sourcing income ginger of more locally. than $5,000 from organic Gingervery basic and overview turmeric of have their receivedoperation attention (have they in been the sales. Growers who complete the certification process healthcertified and before, wellness will product they be market, importing/exporting with turmeric atany- Localmay label farmers and marketmarket theircustomers products and as CSA“100% members Organ- tractingproducts, much etc.) recentThe NOP interest. federal The regulations FDA regulates provide how es- willic,” “organic,”benefit from “certified recipes organic,” and preparation and/or use suggestions the USDA productssential details may onbe themarketed areas ofwith compliance respect to required claims forof fororganic fresh logo ginger. depending Shelf onlife product and storage composition. certification. potentialBoth resources health benefits.are available on marketersthe Ken- considerations should be conveyed to musttucky understandDepartment the of Agriculturepotential ramifica Organic- Small growers (less than $5,000 per year customers, as the fresh “baby” ginger tionsCertification of making Program health claimswebsite when. sell- gross income) may be exempt from certi- in its immature stage produced in high ing fresh produce crops, as associating fication; however, they must still register tunnels will have different requirements theseDevelop specific an Organiccrops with System health benefits Plan with the KDA by completing the exempt Organic growers are required to develop than the mature ginger that is available www.uky.edu/CCD violates regulations. registration form. Exempt organic grow- www.uky.edu/CCD an Organic System Plan (OSP), in which

11MattCheryl Ernst Kaiser is an is independenta former Extension contractor Associate with the with Center the Center for Cro forp Diversification. Crop Diversification. 22KristiMatt ErnstDurbin is isan a independentsenior horticulturist contractor in the with University the Center of Kforentucky Crop Diversification. Department of Horticulture. Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic Development they outline the procedures that will be used to achieve, tion, not to make any decision regarding the status of document and comply with NOP standards. The OSP the farm’s certification. In addition, while inspectors includes all of the records and details for the applicant’s can provide information on NOP regulations, they are production system to be reviewed for certification. not permitted to act as consultants or assist the grower This document can and will likely change throughout in any decision-making. the season and updates are expected to be made and submitted to the KDA before the time of inspection. A Once a farm is approved for certification, it can be in- detailed account of the field history, farm maps, inputs spected at any time, without advance warning. Annual, and a comprehensive plan of operation for following scheduled inspections, along with a completed applica- organic protocols need to be incorporated into the plan. tion form, will be required to maintain certification. All fields, greenhouses, storage areas, warehouses and The Final Review and Decision processing facilities used in organic production must The certifying agency will examine the report from the be discussed in the OSP. Growers with split operations on-site inspection and review, as necessary, the appli- (organic and conventional production on the same cation and accompanying documents. Once the agency farm) need to include information on how they plan has made a final decision, the producer will be notified to prevent commingling of the two systems. Annual in writing. KDA estimates that it takes three to four updates of the plan will be required once a farm has months from receipt of an application to final certifica- received certification; significant changes by a client tion, presuming the OSP is complete at the time of ap- should be reported as they occur throughout the year. plication and there are no issues of concern. The certify- Organic growers are required to maintain all records ing agency may deliver any of the following decisions: for a period of five years. Approved Submit the Application The grower is now ‘certified organic’ and can market The signed application form, OSP and attachments as farm products using the USDA organic logo. An on- well as any supporting documentation need to be sub- farm inspection and payment of the certification fee mitted to the KDA Organic Certification Program at will be required each year of operation to maintain cer- least four months prior to the expected harvest or pro- tification. In addition, an updated OSP must be submit- duction of product eligible for certification. This allows ted annually and approved by the certifying agency. KDA to complete the necessary pre-inspection review process and gives sufficient time for assignment to an Notice of Noncompliance inspector. An OSP that lacks sufficient detail to demon- The applicant has one or more minor areas of noncom- strate compliance is required to be amended by the cli- pliance. The certification may be granted contingent on ent prior to assignment to an inspector; this can delay correction of the problems by a specific date or the cer- assignment to an inspector. It is in the best interest of tification may be withheld until the noncompliance is- the client to allow as much lead time as possible. KDA sues have been addressed. The grower must document will always attempt to give priority to new applicants. the required changes. On-site Inspection Denial of Certification Before a decision on certification is made, the -certi The applicant has not complied with the NOP regula- fying agency must conduct an on-site inspection. The tions and is denied certification. This would involve farm should be in some stage of production with crops major areas of noncompliance that cannot be readily in the ground at the time of the inspection so that com- resolved. The grower may appeal this decision within pliance can be demonstrated. The grower, or other per- 30 days or reapply at a later date. son knowledgeable about the farm operation, needs to be on hand to answer any questions the inspector may Fees have. All aspects of the organic enterprise will be ex- A non-refundable fee made payable to the KDA is due amined. If the inspector deems it necessary, samples at the time of application. Payment of this fee is re- for testing (for example, water analysis or residue tests) quired each year to maintain certification. may be taken at this time. Inspections take an average of three to four hours per scope. Although small growers (income of less than $5,000 per year) may be exempt from certification, they still The inspector’s job is to observe and gather informa- must register with the KDA. The registration form is available on the KDA website; there is no fee for ex- 2012) https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/ empt registration. summary.php?pub=154 • Guide for Organic Processors (ATTRA, 2012) The fee schedule is as follows for in-state producers https://attra.ncat.org/product/guide-for-organic- (Note: “Scopes” consist of Organic Crop; Organic processors/ Livestock, which requires Organic Crop; Organic Wild • The Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK) - Crop; and Organic Processing/Handling): Offers free technical assistance to farmers navigating • Certification fee - $250 for the first scope, $125 the regulations, preparing Organic System Plan and for each additional scope, handling operations face developing required recordkeeping. https://www.oak- an additional fee based on gross sales ($100 per each ky.org/oak-transition-trainers $100,000 in gross sales exceeding $100,000) Exempt registration - no fee KDA Resources • Fee Schedule https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/ Selected Resources documents/ORG_Fee%20Schedule.pdf • KDA Division of Value-added Plant Production: • Crop/Farm Organic System Plan https://www. Organic Program (Kentucky Department of kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_Crop-Farm Agriculture) http://www.kyagr.com/marketing/ OSP.pdf organic-marketing.html • KDA Organic Certification Application • Forms, Documents, and Sample Letters for Organic https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ Producers (ATTRA, 2005) https://attra.ncat.org/ Organic Application.pdf product/forms-documents-and-sample-letters-for- • Exempt Organic Operation Registration organic-producers/ https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ • (Agricultural Marketing Exempt Operation Registration.pdf Service-USDA) http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop • Livestock Organic System Plan https://www.kyagr. • Organic Certification Guidebook (Midwest Organic com/marketing/documents/ORG_Livestock OSP.pdf and Sustainable Education Service, 2010) • Processing/Handling Organic System Plan http://mosesorganic.org/publications/guidebook-for- https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ certification/ Processing_and_Handling_OSP_fillable.pdf • Organic Certification of and • Product or Input Review Request Producing Agricultural Products (ATTRA, 2012) https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub-summaries/?pub=152 Input review request.pdf • Organic System Plans: Field and Row Crops • Previous Land Use Affidavit and Pasture and Range Systems (ATTRA, 2006) https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary. Previous Land Use Declaration.pdf php?pub=167 • Voluntary Surrender of Organic Certification • Organic System Plans: Market Farms and https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ORG_ Greenhouses (ATTRA, 2009) https://attra.ncat.org/ Voluntary Surrender of Organic Certification.pdf attra-pub/summaries/summary.php?pub=168 • Withdrawal of Organic Certification Application • Preparing for an Organic Inspection: Steps and Form https://www.kyagr.com/marketing/documents/ Checklists (ATTRA, 2005) https://attra.ncat.org/ ORG_Withdrawal of organic application.pdf product/preparing-for-an-organic-inspection-steps- Suggested Citation: and-checklists/ • Guide for Organic Crop Producers (ATTRA, 2012) Kaiser, C. and M. Ernst. (2020). Organic Certification Process. CCD-SP-10. Lexington, KY: Center for Crop Diversification, https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/summaries/summary. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and php?pub=67 Environment. Available: http://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www. • Guide for Organic Livestock Producers (ATTRA, uky.edu.ccd/files/Organic-Cert.pdf

Reviewed by Brooke Gentile, Organic Association of Kentucky Executive Director, and Neil Wilson, Research Analyst - Principal, UK Horticulture Research Farm Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com December 2020 For additional information, contact your local County Extension agent Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.