Who can help me develop my Organic System Plan?
An organic consultant can help you develop your Organic System Plan. Kona Organic is a national organic consulting firm that builds Organic System Plans with farms, handlers, and food brands in all 50 states. The team learns how your operation runs, writes the plan in your certifier's forms, and sets up the records that prove it.
Key takeaways
The Organic System Plan is the main part of every USDA organic application.
You can write it yourself, get free help, or hire a consultant to write it with you.
A good plan is specific. It names the product, the field, the rate, and the log.
The plan, the records, and the operation all have to match.
Kona Organic develops plans for any state, on site or by video call.
Where you can get help
There are three places to look.
Your certifier. The certifier gives you the forms and can explain what a question means. A certifier is not allowed to tell you how to fix your operation or write the answers for you.
Free programs. Extension offices and farm groups in many states run workshops and offer mentors. These are a good start if you have time.
A consultant. A consultant works for you. The consultant can write the plan, build the records, and get you ready for inspection.
The six steps to develop a plan
1. Describe the operation. What you grow or make, where, and on how many acres or in what kind of facility.
2. Map it. Every field, building, storage spot, buffer, and neighbor.
3. List every input. Seed, fertilizer, sprays, cleaners, pest controls, and ingredients, with the maker and the proof that each one is allowed.
4. Write down the practices. How you build soil, control pests, harvest, clean, store, and ship, and how often you do each one.
5. Set up the records. One log for each practice, so you can trace any product back to its field or lot.
6. Plan for risks. How you keep organic product away from prohibited materials and from product that is not organic, and how you check your suppliers.
Where most people get stuck
Most people get stuck on steps three and five. The input list takes time because every product needs proof. The records are hard because they have to match the plan line by line. Land history is the other common gap. Each field needs proof of 36 months with no prohibited substances.
How Kona Organic develops a plan with you
The work starts with a call and a look at what you already have. The team then drafts the plan in your certifier's own forms. Each practice gets a short written procedure your crew can follow. Each procedure gets a log. Before you send the plan in, the team checks it against your inputs, maps, and sales records, the same way a reviewer would.
Kona Organic is a national organic certification consulting firm, headquartered in Hawaiʻi. The team works with farms, handlers, and food brands in all 50 states and US territories, on site or remotely, and with exporters overseas. The team is IOIA trained in crops, processing and handling, and international inspection.
Common questions
Can I develop my Organic System Plan myself?
Yes. The forms are free from your certifier. Many farms write their own plan. A consultant saves time and helps you avoid a plan that gets sent back.
How long does it take to develop an Organic System Plan?
For a farm with good records, about two to four weeks from the first call to a plan that is ready to send in. Handlers with many suppliers take longer.
Does the consultant need to be in my state?
No. The USDA organic rules are the same in every state. Kona Organic develops plans by video call, shared files, and photos, and travels when a site visit helps.
Will my certifier accept a plan a consultant wrote?
Yes. The plan is still yours. You sign it and you follow it. The certifier reviews it the same way and makes the certification decision.
Last updated: October 2026.
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