Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers Inc

I am interested in having my farm
certified

So what do I do?

The first thing you need to do is read the following information, although only a guide it will help you get started. Certification is a big step and requires great thought and preparation. There are only general guidelines and very little in the way of "one stop shop recipes" for success. You will enter a process of change as you move toward full certification.

At this stage you should read the T.O.P. organic standards and the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce. This background reading is essential.

The basic aspects of this process will now be described.

What is the process? Well, depending on your circumstances, you will need to go through a conversion period varying from 1 to 4 years. Conversion is important as it does two primary things. Firstly it allows the farm to rebuild its natural physical and biological cycles, and secondly, it constitutes a useful period in which you will learn about a new approach to farming. Conversion is therefore a change process in which your farm and your perceptions will change.

Before you start the process you'll need to become a full member, this will require the payment of a yearly fee. Your farm will then be assessed and you will be further supported as you head to full conversion. The period between your initial interest and the start of conversion is known as transition. This phase involves you "getting up to speed" with the approach that will be needed for your particular farming situation. Here you will be guided by T.O.P. staff as you formulate a conversion plan. As indicated earlier this can be a time of great change in both your thinking and practice, transition is therefore a vital phase of preparation.

Once this period of preparation is over you will be assessed and if acceptable to the standards your farm will be certified in conversion according to the Australian National Standards. This means that your farm has entered the final stage toward full conversion. Conversion can be a period during which there will be a great many things going on as you manage the change situation.

During conversion a series of yearly inspections will be undertaken by T.O.P. to assess your progress and to ensure adherence to standards.

All being well a final inspection may lead to the approval for an offer of full certification. Then each year there will be a routine inspection.

 

See next page for Key Points in the Certification Process

 

* Note your farm must be placed under 1 year of transition before it can enter Certification.