Think you want to be certified but you don't know who to call? The following list will help you to find group(s) operating in your area.
The standards are essentially the same for all of these groups. They are all, with the exception of Pro-Cert, membership organizations, which means that decisions concerning fees, etc. are made by the producers.
It is a good idea to call one or two different organizations, maybe go to the meetings of one or two groups, to see which one will suit you the best. It is also a good idea to call some potential buyers and ask if they prefer to buy from one group over another. The most important thing is that you are with a group of farmers that you will have the most in common with. You will depend on the other producers in the group for much of your agronomic and marketing information. Networking is an important part of organic farming.
Ecocert Canada - Western Division
Rusty Plamondon, Western Office Manager
Services also available in French
Box 2293
Tisdale SK. S0E 1T0
Phone: 306-873-2207
Cell: 306-873-8528
Fax: 306-873-4941
Email: rusty.plamondon@ecocert.com
Website: http://www.ecocertcanada.com
Saskatchewan Organic Certification Association Inc.
http://www.soca.sk.ca/
Pro-Cert Organic Systems
Wally Hamm
For service in French, call Dave at (705) 374-5602
Box 100A, R.R. #3
Saskatoon, SK S7K 3J6
Phone: 306-382-1299
Fax: 306-382-0683
Email: info@pro-cert.org
Website: http://www.ocpro.ca/
OCIA Canada Regional Office
Manager: Ruth Baumann
Box 3429 637 6th St.
Humboldt SK S0K 2A0
Phone: 306-682-3126
Fax: 306-682-3127
Email: canada@ocia.org
Website: http://www.ocia.org/ContactUs/Canada.aspx
Organic Producers Association of Manitoba Cooperative Inc (OPAM)
General Manager: Tiffany Priestley
Certification Manager: Janet Liefso
Services also available in French
Box 279 123 North Railway Ave.
Miniota, MB R0M 1C0
Phone: 204.567.3745
Fax: 204.567.3749
Email: info@opam-mb.com
Quality Assurance International (QAI)
General Manager: Jaclyn Bowen
Services also available in French, Spanish and Japanese
9191 Towne Centre Drive Suite 510
San Diego, CA, USA 92122
Phone: (858) 792-3531
Fax: (858) 792-8665
Email: qai@qai-inc.com
Website: http://www.qai-inc.com/
