Getting Started
How to Begin Your Organic Transition
Transitioning to organic production is a journey worth taking, one that can improve your soil health, protect your land and water, and open doors to new markets. It’s a process that takes planning and commitment, but the rewards reach far beyond the farm gate.
One of the most important steps in becoming certified organic is developing and maintaining your Organic Plan, your roadmap for how you’ll farm in line with organic principles.
Transitioning to Organics
With demand for organic food on the rise, there’s never been a better time to transition. Our Pivot and Grow program is here to help you every step of the way, from your first questions to your first certified crop. Explore the organic advantage, what to expect, the certification process, and so much more.
Your Roadmap to Organic Certification
- Learn & Plan: Get to know the Canadian Organic Standards and what’s required for certification.
- Choose a Certification Body: Select an accredited certifier and request their organic plan questionnaire.
- Build Your Organic Plan: Document your practices, procedures, and how you’ll protect organic integrity.
- Start Record-Keeping: Track everything from seed sourcing to harvest in a clear, consistent way.
- Implement & Adjust: Put your plan into action and update it each year as your farm evolves.
- Inspection & Review: Welcome your inspector for the annual walk-through, equipment check, and record review.
- Certification: Receive your certification and keep it current through updates and annual inspections.
What is an Organic Plan?
An Organic Plan is both a valuable farm management tool and a requirement for certification. Under the Canadian Organic Standards (Section 4), every producer or processor must have an organic plan outlining how they will manage their transition, production, preparation, and long-term practices. It acts as a roadmap for farming according to organic principles, serves as proof to certifiers and inspectors that products are protected from seed to sale, and provides an annual record of what has changed, what is working, and how challenges are being addressed. Most certification bodies provide questionnaires to help producers gather all the necessary details and supporting documents.
Core Components of an Organic Plan
Practices and Procedures: The first core component of an organic plan is a description of how a farm is managed. This includes details about crops and rotations, what is planted and how rotations are structured, as well as strategies for building and maintaining soil fertility. Weed and pest management approaches, including any approved inputs, must also be documented. Producers outline how equipment is used, cleaned, and maintained to prevent contamination, along with harvest and post-harvest handling practices to ensure crops are properly stored and kept separate from non-organic products. Seed sources are specified, including whether they are organic or untreated. If irrigation is used, those practices are explained as well. For livestock operations, housing, feed, health care, and treatment protocols must all be included. An organic plan must be updated annually to reflect any changes, challenges, or solutions.
Record-Keeping: The second essential component of an organic plan is record-keeping. Accurate records are the backbone of certification, as they trace each crop from seed to final sale, document equipment use, storage, and transportation, and track livestock records such as birth, feed, and treatments. Records also demonstrate how organic integrity has been protected at every stage. The key is to keep record-keeping simple and manageable, whether through a daily journal, calendar, or spreadsheet system, while ensuring consistency by logging actions as they happen. All records must be kept for at least five years.
The Annual Inspection
Every year, an organic inspector will conduct an inspection to confirm compliance with organic standards. This process includes touring the farm to review fields, barns, and storage areas, checking equipment to ensure it has been properly cleaned and kept separate from non-organic use, and verifying that records match actual practices while maintaining full traceability. The purpose of the inspection is not to catch farmers off guard, but rather to confirm that organic standards are being upheld and the integrity of organic products is being protected.
Transitioning to organic farming is not a quick fix, but a steady, rewarding journey that strengthens your farm, your community, and the environment. With the right plan, record-keeping, and support, you’ll be well on your way to achieving certification and building a resilient, values-driven business. Whether you’re just beginning to explore organics or preparing for your first inspection, resources and networks are here to guide you every step of the way.