Organic Certification Workshop
Friday, February 6, 2004

PROJECT LEADER(S): Randy Collins, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Graham County

IMPACT: Thirty-five to thirty-seven individuals from North Carolina and Tennessee attended the Organic Certification Workshop; each attendant received an organic certification booklet. Because of this program, several of those attending were able to prepare their farms and begin the process of becoming organically certified.

SUMMARY: This workshop was designed to help current and aspiring organic growers learn what steps need to be taken in order to become certified as organic growers. The main speaker was Mr. Tony Kleese with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association. Mr. Kleese spent the entire day going over the rules and regulations involved with organic certification. This program was a collaborative effort between NC Cooperative Extension and the Smokey Mountain Native Plants Association.