Homestead Organics was one of the first farms to be certified organic in 1988 when Murray and Carrie Manley converted the home farm to organic production. We maintained certified organic status since 1988.
Organic certification in Canada relies on a national organic standard and a federal organic regulation administered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Canada just approved amendments to the production standards and to the list of permitted substances.
Canada has equivalency agreements with the USA and with the European Union so that each jurisdiction recognizes each other's standards and verification systems as equivalent. Therefore, organic products can flow freely and the organic labels from one jurisdiction can be recognized in the other.
Homestead Organics is certified organic by EcoCert Canada.
Our organic certification covers all grains, seed, and mixed products that we process and package under our own label. Some of our products are sold in their original package from another supplier and therefore carry that supplier's certification. In addition, we sell natural farm supplies and inputs that may be acceptable for your farm, but you should verify their organic status with your own certifier.
Homestead Organics is a federally regulated feed mill and undergoes annual inspections by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. They verify ingredients, labelling, sanitation, record keeping, and more. They do not issue a certificate.
Homestead Organics is not currently certified HACCP as we feel that the organic certification process provides sufficient process control and risk mitigation.