Episode 25: Baystate Organic Certifiers Lauren Sandstrom - How Do Farms Become Certified Organic?

Lauren Sandstrom is a Certification Administrator at Baystate Organic Certifiers. Lauren joined Baystate Organic Certifiers 10 years ago as a Certification Specialist and then became a Certification Administrator in 2016. Prior to her position at Baystate, Lauren was a certification reviewer for another certification agency accredited to the USDA totaling 15 years’ experience regulating the USDA Organic Regulations. Lauren also has a certificate as a crop and livestock inspector through the International Organic Inspectors Association. Lauren grew up on a Certified Organic Farm in Central New York and knows the labor of love that organic food production is. Lauren is honored to have participated in the growth of organic food production over the last decade and a half and is looking forward to seeing the program continue to develop and support certified organic food production. Baystate Organic Certifiers is a USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agency providing organic certification to farm and processing operations throughout the continental United States. The foundation of Baystate, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, is to make organic certification accessible, affordable and timely to anyone that wants to participate in the program. Baystate strives to not create any new barriers to certification and not overregulate farms and processors beyond the regulations outlined by the USDA National Organic Program. In 2014, Baystate certified 300 organic farms and processing facilities and had 6 employees. Today, Baystate certifies over 700 certified organic operations with an additional 50 new operations in the pipeline to be in next few weeks and a staff of 18 people. TOPICS EXPLORED 0:00 – 1:51 – Introduction 1:51 – 2:20 – What is Baystate Organic Certifiers and what type of work does it do? 2:20 – 3:13 – How did you become interested in a career in sustainable food and agriculture? 3:13 – 4:28 – What is the National Organic Program and how did it begin? 4:28 – 5:15 – What were some of the key reasons why a National Organic Program was created? 5:15 – 6:24 – How were the USDA Certified Organic standards initially created and how are updates made? 6:24 – 7:48 – What are some of the core criteria for USDA Certified Organic? 7:48 – 10:43 – The term “regenerative agriculture” is becoming quite popular. Why is it important to continue to focus on USDA Certified Organic? 10:43 – 12:09 – How can organizations like Regenerative Organic Alliance which use USDA Organic Certification as their foundation be helpful for the organic movement? 12:09 – 13:09 – What role do certifiers such as Baystate Organic Certifiers play in the USDA Certified Organic certification process? 13:09 – 18:37 – What are some common misconceptions about USDA Certified Organic that farmers may have? 18:37 – 20:44 – What are some of the actual fees for a farm certifying through Baystate Organic Certifiers? 20:44 – 22:27 – What are some common misconceptions about USDA Certified Organic that everyday people may have? 22:27 – 24:37 – What are some of the benefits of becoming a USDA Certified Organic for farmers? 24:37 – 26:50 – What are some of the benefits of purchasing food that is USDA Certified Organic for everyday people and the planet? BAYSTATE ORGANIC CERTIFIERS INFORMATION https://baystateorganic.org/ RESOURCES Baystate Organic Certifiers Certification Information: https://baystateorganic.org/certification/ USDA National Organic Program: https://www.ams.usda.gov/about-ams/programs-offices/national-organic-program Organic Certification Cost Share Program: https://www.fsa.usda.gov/resources/programs/organic-certification-cost-share-program-occsp FOOD FOR YOU AND THE PLANET PODCAST INFORMATION Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/food-for-you-and-the-planet/id1739416396 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7pkAIuXxl9dzD48b7qMOL1 RSS: https://feeds.libsyn.com/506343/rss Podcast Instagram: @foodforyouandtheplanet TAGS Food Environment Health Podcast Sustainability Agriculture Organic Organic Certification Organic Certifiers USDA Certified Organic