Who determines that an orchard or a packing facility is certified organic?
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture authorizes the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) to inspect and issue organic certification for orchards and packing facilities. Stemilt’s orchards and packing houses are certified by the WSDA. • The federal Organic Foods Production Act in 1990 gave this regulatory power to the USDA and the state agriculture departments. The National Organic Program, which resulted from the passage of the 1990 Act, established all organic laws and guidelines. Look for the certified organic seal to know if a product is truly organic.
