California Organic Farmers Association is a California non-profit mutual benefit corporation which provides organic certification services to qualified farmers and processors. C.O.F.A. does not certify products as organic but rather it certifies the production or processing operation as conforming to the National Organic Program Standards.
The affairs of C.O.F.A. are directed by a Board of Directors. The Certification Committee, a standing committee of C.O.F.A., rules on applications for C.O.F.A. Organic Certification.
"Certified organic" means that agricultural products have been grown and processed according to USDA's national organic standards and certified by USDA-accredited State and private certification organizations. Certifying agents review applications from farmers and processors for certification eligibility, and qualified inspectors conduct annual onsite inspections of their operations. Inspectors talk with operators and observe their production and processing practices to determine if they are in compliance with organic standards that, for example, virtually prohibit synthetic pesticide use in crop production and require outdoor access for animals in livestock production.