Food Production
Seeds of Diversity Canada (SoDC) - Canadian charitable organization dedicated to the conservation, documentation and use of public-domain non-hybrid plants of Canadian significance.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Organic production site, providing links to statistics, news releases, the regulation and standard.
Organic Vegetable Gardening - University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
Organic Gardening in the Backyard – From the University of Nebraska, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Harvest Shelter - Provides instruction for hobby gardeners in the organic production of vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs.
Composting Basics - Need some help getting your composted started? Here's a great article.
Livestock
Rare Breeds Canada - A charitable organization dedicated to conserving, evaluating, and promoting rare and endangered breeds of livestock and poultry.
Canadian Coalition for Farm Animals (CCFA) - CCFA, through its member organizations, represents more than 100,000 Canadians concerned about the treatment of animals raised for food.
Pesticides
Directory of Allowable Organic Inputs - information, provided by ACORN, on the availability of allowable inputs and resources, as well as identification, prevention and treatment options for pests and weeds.
CanadiansAgainstPesticides – An activist organization dedicated to banning all pesticides known or suspected of having deleterious effects on humans (especially children) and wildlife.
Alternatives to Insecticides for Managing Vegetable Insects
Education
EarthSave Canada - A non-profit, educational organization promoting awareness of the health, environmental and ethical consequences of our food choices.
Landscaping
Organic Landscape Alliance (OLA) is a non-profit trade association committed to organic horticulture, lawn care and landscaping.
The Society of Organic Urban Land Care Professionals - SOUL supports ecologically responsible land care practices.
Thank you to Canadian Organic Growers for compiling many of these resources.
Canadian Organic Regulation Support
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As of June 30, 2009, consumers can now be 100% confident that all products that include the word organic are regulated and guaranteed to meet the new Canadian Organic Standard.
“Organic products are an agricultural product that has been certified as organic in accordance with the Organic Product Regulations or that has been recognized as such under section 29 of the Regulations.” (Source Canadian Organic Office)If you are...
- A vendor of organic products
- A consumer at a farmers market
- A consumer of farm direct products
- Just curious about organics
Then read on for more information ...
Only producers and processors that comply with the Canadian Organic Regulation (COR) can use the term organic. Compliance requires being certified by an approved and accredited certifying body.
- The COR applies directly to trade between provinces and other countries, however the intent of Organic Alberta and the provincial government is to uphold the regulation and standard within the province.
- In addition it has been emphasized by the Canadian Organic Office (COO) that under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Labeling regulations the use of the word organic for products not certified is considered illegal as misleading and fraudulent claims.
- Farmers market vendors and direct marketers not certified but making organic claims risk formal complaints being sent to CFIA and follow up action.
- If consumers have concerns about a seller’s qualifications the simplest thing is to look for a current certificate (inspections are carried out yearly).
The General Principles and Management Standards and Permitted Substances List are available free of charge on the Canada General Standards Board website. Hard copies may be obtained by calling 1-800-665-2472 (Canada only).
Complaints regarding organic product claims can be reported to the CFIA by telephone at 1-800-442-2342 or by contacting a local CFIA district office.Elizabeth Corrigan, Regulatory Standards Officer, Canadian Organic Office. Telephone 1-613-773-6221
Please also send a copy of your complaint to Organic Alberta This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
