Get Certified

The certification process with KOGS is relatively simple and inexpensive but requires that you go through a number of steps that can take up to six months. These are outlined clearly in our Certification Flow Chart (107 KB pdf file). All applicants for certification must also become a member of KOGS: download the Membership Application Form (2009 form coming soon) (111 KB pdf file). Here is the new 2009 Fee Schedule (.pdf)

If you are new to certification, our Office Administrator can assist you through the process. The first step is to contact the KOGS office and indicate that you would like to seek certification. This should be done before February in order to have time to complete the application forms before the annual deadline of 1 April.

Certification Application Documents

If you are already a member of KOGS and / or know which application forms you need, you may download them from the list below instead of obtaining them from the KOGS office. Please make every effort to complete all the necessary documents as this will help us to complete your certification in a timely manner. All first time applicants need to complete the Certification Registration which can be downloaded as either a word document ("doc") or a pdf. Each type of organic operation has additional forms which must be completed as these forms provide the certification committee and organic inspector with information about your particular operation. Please select the forms in the tables below that pertain to your type of operation: crops, livestock, poultry, or processing & handling (handling describes businesses that repackage and/or gather and ship organic product). If you raise livestock but not their feed nor crops for human consumption, you do not need to complete the crops forms; if you raise poultry but no other livestock, you do not need to complete the livestock form. Please note that if you do raise feed for animals that you wish to have certified as organically raised, you will need to complete the crops form. The first column in each table contains the documents for first time applicants, while the second column is for those seeking to renew their certification.

Crop Farming

Livestock Farming

Poultry Farming

Processors or Handlers

Special Forms

Lastly, there are special forms used by all types of operations for particular circumstances. If you store your product (farm or processed goods) at another location, you need to submit a completed Independent Storage Information Sheet: download as a doc or a pdf. Additionally, if you produce both organic and conventional products (crops or processed goods), you will have to complete and submit a Split Operation Form: download as a doc or a pdf.

If it is all too confusing, please contact the KOGS Office Administrator for assistance (contact info below). And most importantly, don't forget to familiarize yourself with the organic standards. KOGS uses the provincial Standards maintained by COABC.