For farmers on the fence about organic certification, there’s plenty of factors to consider. Getting your farm certified as USDA Organic takes time, investment, and careful planning — but can bring big payoffs for the quality of your product, the health and vitality of your farm, and ultimately, your bottom line.
For Danielle Hutchison and Steven Beltram of TendWell Farm, getting organic certified was a matter of mission. What began as a quarter-acre market garden in 2008 has since blossomed into the largest organic farm in Western North Carolina, growing over 250 acres of organic produce and distributing across the Southeast U.S. Throughout that growth, TendWell has centered on a vision for a healthy, sustainable, and equitable food system. For Hutchinson and Beltram, organic certification demonstrates their commitment to those core values and helps build customer trust in their practices to care for the soil and the land.
“At TendWell Farm, the decision to become certified organic was rooted in our commitment to soil health, environmental stewardship, and producing high-quality food for our community,” says Hutchinson. “We wanted to align our practices with a system that prioritizes long-term sustainability, reduces synthetic inputs, and builds trust with our customers. Certification also provided a clear framework and accountability for the values we were already striving to uphold.”
To become certified USDA organic, farmers must go through a rigorous certification process to verify their practices meet national standards and ensure their farm is not exposed to prohibited substances like synthetic pesticides. The process involves submitting an Organic System Plan that outlines all aspects of the farm operation, including soil management, pest control, inputs, and recordkeeping. This is followed by a review from a certifying agency and an on-site inspection. The application process can take several months, followed by a three-year transition period before products can be marketed as organic.
Once approved, certification must be maintained through annual updates, inspections, and continued compliance with organic standards. This requires detailed and consistent recordkeeping of farm operations, including input logs, planting and harvest data, and sales tracking. TendWell utilizes soil testing, conducts regular internal reviews, and stays up to date with organic regulations in order to maintain certification.
For TendWell, the benefits of organic manifest both in the soil and on the balance sheet. “Organic practices have improved our soil structure, biodiversity, and resilience over time, contributing to the overall health and productivity of the farm,” says Hutchinson. TendWell’s organic and regenerative practices like crop rotation and integrated pest management help rebuild topsoil, increase biodiversity, improve water cycling and retention, and sequester carbon in the soil.
At the same time, organic certification also strengthens the farm’s credibility and opens up access to new markets. “Certification has made it easier to build trust with buyers, especially wholesale and institutional markets that require third-party verification,” says Hutchinson. “Many buyers specifically seek out certified organic producers, which has helped us expand our network and maintain more stable market opportunities.”
Still, organic certification doesn’t come without its share of challenges. Certification is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process, both in planning and implementing new practices to manage pests, weeds, and fertility, and in keeping up with administrative and record-keeping demands. During the transition period, before products can be officially marketed as organic, farmers may experience a dip in yields before the benefits of organic practices begin to kick in, leading to financial pressures.
For farmers considering certification, it’s important to be prepared with a plan to overcome these challenges — but not to lose sight of the end goal, i.e., the health and sustainability of their farm. “Be prepared for a learning curve and a transition period, but also recognize that the long-term benefits—both ecological and economic—can be significant,” advises Hutchinson. She also recommends starting by evaluating your current practices to identify where adjustments are needed, and taking early steps to adopt a strong documentation and recordkeeping system that works for your operation. Connecting with other organic farmers and organizations can provide the support and mentorship you need for a successful transition.
“Being a certified organic farmer is both a responsibility and a rewarding journey,” says Hutchinson. “It requires intentionality, transparency, and continuous learning. While it can be challenging at times, it reinforces our commitment to farming in a way that supports the land, our community, and future generations. It has ultimately strengthened our identity as a farm and deepened our connection to the people we serve.”
Interested in exploring USDA Organic certification? The Transition to Organic Partnership Program provides mentorship, technical assistance, and community to guide you on your journey into organic farming. Learn more at https://www.organictransition.org/region/southeast/