The Price of Being Certified

In the past, the word “organic” has been somewhat confusing. Farms could be “registered organic” with the state of California or they could be “certified organic” by an agency accredited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture--a much tougher standard. Starting in October, only certified growers will be allowed to call themselves organic.

For growers such as Coastal Organics, that likely will mean a name change, says Paul Carpenter, who runs the Ventura County farm with his wife, Maryann.

While their farm is registered as organic with the state, it is not certified organic, which involves more costs and paperwork but is considered by many as the best guarantee of purity.

“We used to be certified, but the regulations proved too complicated and time-consuming,” says Carpenter. “I’m supposed to make a record of everything I do: I weeded that row, I planted there. I grow on lots of tiny blocks, and don’t have the time or energy to do all that.”

He says the temporary nature of farming rented land also works against certification. “You need to have multiyear plans, but I don’t know what will happen,” he says. “Maybe I’ll have to move again and all of that would be wasted.”