• Support the local organic agricultural community, availability of organic crops, and biodiversity.
• Provide operators with public resources for assistance with National Organic Program (NOP) requirements.
• Collaborate with other public agencies and organizations to share information about organic production practices and regulations; and to learn about efficiencies and new technology in organic production.

The MCCO program was created within the County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner's Office in effort to streamline the organic certification process for organic operators. MCCO staff is uniquely trained and qualified to assist organic operators with obtaining organic certification; as well as meet other local, state, and federal agricultural requirements.

Additionally, MCCO was the first county agency to register as an organic certifier with the California State Organic Program and is only one of two California counties to receive USDA NOP accreditation.

• Adopt and Implement Organic practices.
• Choose a USDA-Accredited Certifying Agent and Apply for Organic Certification.
• Application and Organic System Plan Review.
• On-Site Inspection.
• Inspection Review.
• Certification Decision.

All operators that represent and sell commodities as organic are required to register their operation with California Department of Food and Agriculture's (CDFA) or California Department of Public Health's (CDPH) Organic Registration Programs. Operations with gross annual organic sales less than $5,000 are not required to obtain organic certification but are still obligated to follow the production and recordkeeping requirements of the NOP regulations.

This program is currently being developed - information coming soon.

In addition to organic registration and/or organic certification, organic operators may be required to obtain additional official government documentation. Various departments within the County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner's Office may assist operators with these requirements, including the following:

• An Operator Identification is required prior to purchase and use of pesticides in each county where pesticides are applied for agricultural production.
  Contact the Pesticide Use Enforcement (PUE) Department at:
  email 281-Pue-Workstation@countyofmonterey.gov.
  
  
• A Certified Producer Certificate (CPC) is required to sell certified agricultural products within the certified area at a Certified Farmers Market.
  Contact the Fruits & Vegetables (F&V) Department at:
  email FandV@countyofmonterey.gov.
  
  
• A certified scale is required for all commodities that are weighed and priced at the point of sale.
  Contact the Weights and Measures Department at:
  email MCWM@countyofmonterey.gov.
  
  
• A Nursery License is required for operators that grow and sell a total of $1,000 in nursery stock annually.
  Contact the Quarantine Department at:
  email 281-QuarantineWS@countyofmonterey.gov.
  
  

Application Fee (non-refundable) = $275.00

Site Inspection Fee (plus mileage)
(current IRS reimbursement) = $76.00 per hour

Annual Fee for Crop Producer:

• Less than 2 acres = $200.00
• 2 to 5 acres = $350.00
• 5 to 15 acres = $1,200.00
• 15 to 50 acres = $1,950.00
• 50 to 75 acres = $2,700.00
• 75 to 100 acres = $3,250.00
• Over 100 acres = $3,750.00

Annual Fee for Handler/Processor:

• Up to 10,000 cartons = $240.00
• 10,001 to 25,000 cartons = $450.00
• 25,001 to 50,000 cartons = $825.00
• 50,001 to 75,000 cartons = $1,250.00
• 75,001 to 150,000 cartons = $2,475.00
• 150,001 to 200,000 cartons = $3,300.00
• 200,001 to 300,000 cartons = $4,950.00
• 300,001 to 400,000 cartons = $6,600.00
• Over 400,000 cartons = $8,250.00

* Additional fees may apply