To use the 'Filter' feature, click the icon of 3 lines that appears above the chart when you scroll around it. You may select which category/column header you’d like to filter by, and then which selections within that category you want to appear in your filtered chart. The chart will hide all irrelevant entries. (For example, if you want to see which certifiers charge based on the producing acreage of the operation, filter by “Fee Structure” —> select “Acreage-dependent.”)
You can select multiple options per filter category. (For example, if you are a producer looking to certify both produce and livestock, filter by “Type of crop” —> select “Crops” and “Livestock.”)
You may also want to use multiple simultaneous filters. Click “Add filter” to incorporate additional filters. (For example, if you are a Spanish-speaking crop producer looking to get certified, filter by “Type of crop” —> select “Crops” AND click “Add filter” —> select “Spanish language support provided? —> select “Yes.”)
Organic Certifier Searchable Comparison Tool
Certification costs through county certifiers are often much more affordable than bigger companies. They offer an acreage-dependent fee schedule which can benefit smaller-scale growers. County certifiers generally do not offer much in the way of educational resources, marketing supporting, or advocacy, but can be strong on customer service and communication because they generally serve fewer growers than the larger certifying agents. If you are a self-starter and good at figuring things out on your own, this may be a good option for you. County certifiers are limited in the geographies they serve, but they will sometimes certify producers in neighboring counties, so don't hesitate to inquire.