U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program (NOP)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program (NOP) is a regulatory program housed within the Agricultural Marketing Service. NOP is authorized by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 to develop national standards and regulations for organically produced agricultural products. These standards assure consumers that products with the USDA organic seal meet consistent, uniform standards.

Organic seed is produced according to NOP guidelines. The NOP requires organic farmers to plant organic seed unless it is not commercially available. Untreated, conventional seed that does not contain genetically engineered traits is allowed when equivalent organic varieties are unavailable.

NOP Organic Seed Requirement

USDA Accredited Certifying Agents

AOSCA requires participating organic seed vendors to provide proof of organic certification. Organic Seed Finder is not to be viewed as a separate certification of seed quality.