Certifying Ruminant Livestock

Maine Cows

Certifying Ruminant Livestock and Dairies

Below is the information and forms required to certify organic ruminant livestock. Please read each one carefully.

Note:  If you intend to certify an organic dairy herd, please contact the MCS office and ask to speak with a Dairy Specialist.  We will send the forms you need after we discuss the requirements and the different ways to achieve a certified organic dairy herd.

  1. Producer Information
  2. Ruminant Livestock Supplement  Use this form if you are certifying ruminant slaughter stock including beef, sheep, or goats. Click here to download a fillable PDF of the ruminant livestock supplement.
  3. Dairy Supplement–Please call 568-6030 or email certification@mofga.org.
  4. Organic Farm Plan  Most livestock operations will also need to complete an organic farm plan because they grow livestock feed and/or manage crop land for pasture or forage.  If you are certifying other crops such as vegetables you may have already downloaded this from.  You only need to complete it once.  Be sure you also consider how you manage pasture, hay land and grain crops when you complete this form.
  5. Animal List
  6. Crop List
  7. Material List
  8. Field History Form
  9. Landowner Affidavit
  10. Organic Producer Endorsement
  11. Applicant Fees Form
  12. Explanation of Cost Share Programs

Buying, Selling and Transporting Organic Livestock (Please Read Here)

Please be sure to also read our guidance documents, all of which are located in our Practice Manual, which you can read online or download. You can learn more about record keeping for organic livestock production here. Find record keeping requirements specific to dairies here. If you prefer, you can receive a paper copy in the mail, plus any forms you may need.  Call 568-6030 or email certification@mofga.org.

All of these forms, with the exception of the ruminant and dairy supplements, can be completed online through the certification portal; please contact us to set up an account. You can also email a PDF of your application to: certification@mofga.org or you may mail your paper application to: MOFGA Certification, PO Box 170, Unity, ME 04988. Fees and a completed fee sheet must accompany your application.

Fees can be mailed in (checks payable to MOFGA Certification) or you can pay through our secure online portal.

If your livestock operation involves the growing of crops (hay, corn etc.) please be aware that we cannot issue a certificate for a crop after it is harvested. In these cases the application deadline will be the same as for crops applications – June 1, 2023.

Thank you for choosing MOFGA Certification Services.

If you are looking for certification information for other types of livestock, please click HERE.