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Certification Services
Seed Certification Program
Standards & Procedures
Agronomic Seed Certification Standards [pdf]
Overview: How to Produce Certified Seed [docx]
Seed Certification Handbook [pdf]
Field Inspection
Map—Field Inspection Assignments [pdf]
Annuals (small grains and soybeans)
Apply for Field Inspection Form [pdf] Instructions [pdf]
Directory Acreage Omission & to order additional application forms [docx]
Directory Carryover Seed Inclusion [docx]
Corn/Sunflower
Apply for Corn/Sunflower Field Inspection [docx]
Apply for Corn Inbred Line Eligibility [docx]
Sunflower Description [docx]
Hemp
Apply for Industrial Hemp Field Inspection [docx]
Guidelines—Production of Hemp Seed [docx]
Perennials
Apply for Field Inspection [docx]
Directory Acreage Omission—Perennials [pdf]
Production Requirements—Perennial Field Isolation [pdf]
Seed Testing
Email Address Request Form [docx]
Instructions—Submitting Samples for Testing [docx]
MCIA Sampling Report [pdf]
Labeling & Transferring Seed
Certificate of Transfer for Seed Pending Certification [docx]
Lot Number Change Request Form [docx]
Online Bulk Certificate Training Video [mp4]
Substandard Seed [docx]
Fee Schedules
Laboratory Testing [pdf]
Field Crops Seed Certification, Quality Assurance & Field Inspect Only [pdf]
OECD Assessment 2024 [pdf] Effective July 1, 2024
OECD Assessment 2023 [pdf] Effective through June 30, 2024
Variety Assessment [pdf]
Required Resources
AOSCA: Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies [AOSCA website]
Federal Seed Act [USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website]
Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) [USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website]
OECD Seed Schemes [OECD website]
Buying and Selling Seed in Minnesota (includes link to Minnesota Seed Law) [Minnesota Department of Agriculture website]
IP Grain Certification Program
Standards & Procedures
Requirements—Identity Preserved 99.0% Non-GMO Corn Grain [pdf]
Requirements—Identity Preserved 99.5% Non-GMO Soybean Grain [pdf]
Field Inspection
Application for IP Grain Form [docx] Instructions [pdf]
Native Seed Certification Programs
Standards
Native Seed Standards [pdf]
Field Inspection
Field Inspection Application—Native Seed [docx]
Mixtures Site Collection Log [xlsx]
Species List for Field Inspection—Mixtures [xlsx]
Declaration of Genetic Origin [docx]
Authorization to Produce Source Identified Seed [docx]
Fee Schedules
Native Seed Fee Schedule [pdf]
Seed Testing
MCIA Native Seed Sampling Report [doc]
Approved Laboratories [pdf]
Required Resources
Buying and Selling Seed in Minnesota (includes link to Minnesota Seed Law) [Minnesota Department of Agriculture website]
Forage & Mulch Certification Program
Standards
Noxious Weed Seed-Free Forage and Mulch Certification Standards [pdf]
Field Inspection
Field & Storage Site Inspection Application [pdf] Instructions [pdf]
Miscellaneous
Certification Tag Use Guidelines [pdf]
Availability Survey
Forage & Mulch Availability Survey [docx]
Forage and mulch producers are surveyed each spring and fall. Survey results are sent to MnDOT and are posted on the Where to Buy page of the MCIA website.
Fee Schedules
Forage & Mulch Fee Schedule [pdf]
Required Resources
NAISMA Certified Weed Free Products Program [North American Invasive Species Management Association website]
Minnesota Seeding Contractors [MSCA website]
Sod Quality Assurance Program
Standards
Standards—Sod Quality Assurance [pdf]
Production Requirements—MNST-12 Sod [pdf]
Where to Purchase Sod Seed
Sod Seed Vendor List [pdf]
Field Inspection
Apply for Sod Production Site Form [docx] Instructions [pdf]
Declaration of Sod Establishment [docx]
For Sod QA Seed Vendors
Application for Review of Quality Assured Sod Seed Mixtures [docx]
Fee Schedule
Sod Quality Assurance Fee Schedule [pdf]
Required Resources
Minnesota Sod Producers/Minnesota Turf Association [MTA website]
UMN Turfgrass Science [UMN website]
Field Services
Seed Quality Assurance Program and Field Inspection Services
Field Inspection
Annuals (small grains and soybeans)
Apply for Field Inspection Form [pdf] Instructions [pdf]
Apply for New Soybean Varieties/Brands/Blends Form [xlsx] Instructions [pdf]
Requirements—99.0% Non-GMO Corn Seed Program [pdf]
Requirements—99.5% Non-GMO Soybean Seed Program [pdf]
Requirements—Herbicide Post-Spray Soybean Program [pdf]
Verification of Herbicide Application [docx]
Corn/Sunflower
Apply for Corn/Sunflower Field Inspection [docx]
Application for Corn Inbred Line Eligibility + Corn Inbred Characteristics [docx]
Sunflower Description [docx]
Perennials
Apply for Field Inspection [docx]
Production Requirements—Perennial Field Isolation [pdf]
Directory Acreage Omission—Perennials [docx]
Seed Testing
Instructions—Submitting Samples for Testing [docx]
MCIA Sampling Report [pdf]
Fee Schedules
Laboratory Testing [pdf]
Field Crops Seed Certification, Quality Assurance & Field Inspection Only [pdf]
MnDOT Services
Required References
MnDOT Standard Specifications—Seeding Manual [MnDOT website]
Seed Mixture Component Requirements (Seed Substitution Table) [pdf]
Seed Certification References
Agronomic Seed Certification Standards (for field crop and turf seed conditioners) [pdf]
Approved Seed Conditioner Requirements [pdf]
Native Seed Standards (for native seed conditioners) [pdf]
Seed Certification Handbook [pdf]
Agreements
Approved Seed Conditioner Agreement [pdf]
Seed Vendor Agreement [pdf]
Regulatory References
Federal Seed Act [USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website]
FSA Regulations 7 CFR 201 [GPO website]
Labeling Requirements for Chemically Treated Seed [USDA website]
Seed Company Records and the Federal Seed Act [USDA website]
State Noxious Weed Seed Requirements [USDA website]
Using PVP Title V Varieties in Mixtures [pdf]
Additional Resources
AOSCA: Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies [AOSCA website]
Buying and Selling Seed in Minnesota (includes link to Minnesota Seed Law) [Minnesota Department of Agriculture website]
Plant Variety Protection Act (PVPA) [USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website]
Approved Facilities Program
Required References
Seed Certification Handbook [pdf]
Approved Seed Conditioner Requirements [pdf]
Approved Bulk Handler Requirements [pdf]
Agronomic Seed Certification Standards (for field crop and turf seed conditioners) [pdf]
Native Seed Standards (for native seed conditioners) [pdf]
Buying and Selling Seed in Minnesota (includes link to Minnesota Seed Law) [Minnesota Department of Agriculture website]
Federal Seed Act [USDA Agricultural Marketing Service website]
FSA Regulations 7 CFR 201 [USDA website]
OECD Procedures and Standards (for conditioners participating in the OECD program) [OECD website]
Agreements
Agreement—Bulk Seed Handling Facility [pdf]
Agreement—Seed Conditioning Facility [pdf]
Bulk Certificates
Completing Bulk Seed Sale Certificates Instructions [docx]
Online Bulk Certificate Training Video [mp4]
Labeling and Transferring Seed
Foundation Seed Services
Foundation Seed, New Varieties, and Variety Licensing
UMN Crop and Variety Information
Minnesota Field Crop Trials [UMN website]
UMN Varieties Brochure: Oats [pdf]
UMN Varieties Brochure: Wheat [pdf]
Additional Resources
Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station [UMN website]
UMN Research and Outreach Centers [UMN website]
Organic Services
Crops Certification
Standards & Procedures
Flow Chart Organic Certification [pdf]
NOP Organic Standards [USDA website]
Organic Certification Handbook [pdf]
Organic Certification Application Documents
Contact MCIA at 855-213-4461 or mncia@mncia.org to request application documents tailored to your operation or to ask any question about the organic certification application process. Please submit completed applications to applications@mncia.org.
*Annual Agreement—Organic Crops and/or Livestock Producer [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Crops [pdf]
*Organic System Plan—Cultivated Mushroom [docx] Required for mushroom production.
*Organic System Plan—On-farm Handling [docx] Required if requesting certification for basic handling of farm-raised products.
*Organic System Plan Supplement—Greenhouse & Seedlings [docx] Required if requesting certification for greenhouse/hoophouse production.
*Organic System Plan Supplemental Pages—New Producer [docx]
*Field History Sheet [xlsx]
*Fraud Prevention Plan—Producer [docx] Instructions [docx]
*Materials List and Review Request—Crops [xlsx]
*The forms listed above are required for annual certification or re-certification. (Additional forms may be required.) Send completed forms to MCIA along with annual payment and applicable fees (see Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions, below).
Adjoining Land Use Statement [docx]
Flower, Fruit, Herb, and Vegetable Crop List [docx] Submit if you raise a variety of produce.
Map—Storage Site [docx]
Non-GMO Verification Letter for Seed/Planting Stock [doc]
Off-Farm Manure/Bedding Statement [docx] Required for producers wishing to source manure from another farm/supplier.
Organic Seed and Planting Stock Search Record [docx]
Prior Land Use Statement [docx] Submit if you have land that has not been under your control for 36 months prior to organic harvest.
Organic Certification Recordkeeping Forms
Bill of Lading and Clean Truck Statement [docx]
Greenhouse Production Record [docx]
Organic Complaint Log [doc]
Production Record—Harvesting [docx]
Production Record—Planting [docx]
Production Record—Planting and Harvesting [docx]
Storage History Record [docx]
Weekly Market Load List and Sales Record [docx]
Fee Schedules
Producer/Livestock/Wild Crop Final Fee Submission *Form [xlsx] Instructions [pdf]
Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions (all scopes) [pdf]
Additional Resources
California Department of Food and Agriculture: Organic Input Material Program (see list of Registered Organic Input Materials) [CDFA website]
Cover Drop Decision Tool [MSU website]
Drift Watch [Drift Watch website]
eXtension [eXtension website]
Marbleseed [Marbleseed website]
National Organic Program (NOP) [USDA website]
Organic Food Production Act of 1990 [U.S. House of Representatives website]
Organic Materials Review Institute [OMRI website]
Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) [USDA website]
University of Minnesota’s Tools for Managing Pest and Environmental Risks to Organic Crops in the Upper Midwest [UMN website]
Washington State Department of Agriculture Organic Program: Organic Input Material List [WSDA website]
Handling Certification
Standards & Procedures
Flow Chart Organic Certification [pdf]
NOP Organic Standards [USDA website]
Organic Certification Handbook [pdf]
Organic Certification Application Documents
Contact MCIA at 855-213-4461 or mncia@mncia.org to request application documents tailored to your operation or to ask any question about the organic certification application process. Please submit completed applications to applications@mncia.org.
*Annual Agreement—Handler [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Handler [docx]
*Fraud Prevention Plan—Handler [docx] Instructions [docx]
*Materials List and Review Request—Handler [xlsx]
*Livestock Feed Product Profile [docx] Instructions [docx]
*Multi-Ingredient Product Profile [docx] Instructions [docx] Required for any products that are made of more than one ingredient.
*Storage Facility Agreement [docx] Required if ingredients or products are stored (but not handled in any way) at an off-site warehouse.
*The forms listed above are required for annual certification or re-certification. (Additional forms may be required.) Send completed forms to MCIA along with annual payment and applicable fees (see Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions, below).
Organic Certification Recordkeeping Forms
Bill of Lading and Clean Truck Statement [docx]
Maple Syrup Production Log [docx]
Organic Complaint Log [doc]
Fee Schedules
*Handler Organic Final Fee Submission [xlsx] Instructions [pdf]
Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions (all scopes) [pdf]
Additional Resources
National Organic Program (NOP) [USDA website]
Organic Food Production Act of 1990 [U.S. House of Representatives website]
Organic Materials Review Institute [OMRI website]
Marbleseed [Marbleseed website]
Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) [USDA website]
Livestock Certification
Standards & Procedures
Flow Chart Organic Certification [pdf]
NOP Organic Standards [USDA website]
Organic Certification Handbook [pdf]
Organic Certification Application Documents
Contact MCIA at 855-213-4461 or mncia@mncia.org to request application documents tailored to your operation or to ask any question about the organic certification application process. Please submit completed applications to applications@mncia.org.
*Annual Agreement—Organic Crops and/or Livestock Producer [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Dairy [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Non-Dairy Ruminant Livestock [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Non-Ruminant Livestock [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Poultry [docx]
*Fraud Prevention Plan—Producer [docx] Instructions [docx]
*Livestock/Poultry Feed Additive and Supplement Use Record [docx] Required for all but poultry producers.
*Materials List and Review Request—Livestock [xlsx]
*The forms listed above are required for annual certification or re-certification. (Additional forms may be required.) Send completed forms to MCIA along with annual payment and applicable fees (see Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions, below).
Organic Certification Recordkeeping Forms
Bill of Lading and Clean Truck Statement [docx]
Livestock Grazing Days/Grazing Season Record [docx]
Livestock Health Record—Individual Animal [docx]
Livestock/Poultry List [xlsx]
Livestock Pasture Rotation/Grazing Schedule/Animal Movement Record [docx]
Livestock/Poultry Purchased Feed Record [docx]
Livestock/Poultry Slaughter/Sales Summary [docx]
Off-Farm Manure/Bedding Statement [docx]
Organic Complaint Log [doc]
Poultry—Egg Layers Monthly Flock Record [docx]
Poultry—Egg Packing Record and Egg Sales Summary [docx]
Poultry Flock Health Record [docx]
Poultry—Meat Flock Record [docx]
Poultry Temporary Confinement/Outdoor Access Restriction [docx]
Ruminant Livestock—Temporary Confinement/Outdoor Access and/or Pasture Grazing Restriction Record [docx]
Add-on Certifications
Grass-Fed Ruminant Animal Certification Application [docx]
Note: This certification is available only to MCIA-certified organic clients.
Fee Schedules
*Producer/Livestock/Wild Crop Final Fee Submission [xlsx] Instructions [pdf]
Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions (all scopes) [pdf]
Additional Resources
Drift Watch [Drift Watch website]
eXtension [eXtension website]
Marbleseed [Marbleseed website]
National Organic Program (NOP) [USDA website]
Organic Food Production Act of 1990 [U.S. House of Representatives website]
Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) [USDA website]
Organic Materials Review Institute [OMRI website]
Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) [USDA website]
USDA NOP Pasture Rule [USDA website]
Wild Crop Certification
Standards & Procedures
Flow Chart Organic Certification [pdf]
NOP Organic Standards [USDA website]
Organic Certification Handbook [pdf]
Organic Certification Annual Documents
Contact MCIA at 855-213-4461 or mncia@mncia.org to request application documents tailored to your operation or to ask any question about the organic certification application process. Please submit completed applications to applications@mncia.org.
*Annual Agreement—Organic Wild Crop Harvester [docx]
*Organic System Plan—Wild Crop [docx]
*The forms listed above are required for annual certification or re-certification. (Additional forms may be required.) Send completed forms to MCIA along with annual payment and applicable fees (see Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions, below).
Organic Certification Recordkeeping Forms
Adjoining Land Use Statement [docx]
Bill of Lading and Clean Truck Statement [docx]
Field History Sheet [docx]
Maple Syrup Production Log [docx]
Map—Storage Site [docx]
Materials List and Review Request—Wild Crops [xlsx]
Non-GMO Verification Letter for Seed Planting Stock [doc]
Organic Complaint Log [doc]
Organic Seed and Planting Stock Search Record [docx]
Organic System Plan—Wild Crop Supplement [docx]
Prior Land Use Statement [docx]
Storage History Record [docx]
Fee Schedules
*Producer/Livestock/Wild Crop Final Fee Submission [xlsx] Instructions [pdf]
Fee Schedule and Scale of Sanctions (all scopes) [pdf]
Additional Resources
Marbleseed [Marbleseed website]
National Organic Program (NOP) [USDA website]
Organic Food Production Act of 1990 [U.S. House of Representatives website]
Organic Materials Review Institute [OMRI website]
Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) [USDA website]
Seed Laboratory
Seed Testing
References
Minnesota Seed Law [State of Minnesota website]
Federal Seed Act [GPO website]
State Noxious-Weed Seed Requirements Recognized in the Administration of the Federal Seed Act [USDA website]
Seed Testing
Email Address Request Form [docx]
Instructions—Submitting Samples for Testing [docx]
Sampling Report [pdf]
Sampling Report—Native Grasses and Forbs [doc]
Fee Schedules
Laboratory Testing [pdf]
Additional Resources
American Seed Trade Association [ASTA website]
Association of Official Seed Analysts/Society of Commercial Seed Technologists [AOSA SCST website]
Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies [AOSCA website]