ics
Why Certification?

Certification assures consumers that organically produced foods and textiles meet a consistent set of standards that were developed and are regulated by the USDA's National Organic Program.

As a USDA/NOP Accredited Certifier, ICS verifies that all its clients are compliant with these standards. ICS certifies all categories of operations: Family Farms, Commercial Farms, On-farm processing, Contract Services, Processor/Manufacturers, and Handlers.

Certification is required by law in the U.S.A. and many other countries.
     
Why Go Organic?

Strict standards:
To be certified Organic in the United States, operations must adhere to the standards of the USDA National Organic Program. These standards ensure all food products labels organic are indeed true to such claim.

Great taste:
Although only an opinion, it is an opinion shared by many throughout the world – many people prefer organic food because it tastes better.

No pesticides, additives, antibiotics, or other chemicals:
Leaving these chemicals out of and off of our food makes for healthier living. For most of the chemicals put on or in our food, we aren’t even aware of the long term side effects.

Higher vitamin/mineral levels:
Studies have shown that on average, organic food has higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.

Better for environment/wildlife:
Organic agriculture protects the water supply, enriches the soil, encourages biodiversity & helps reduce the toxic burden on our bodies and our planet. It employs sound cultural production practices, replaces synthetic fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides, enhances the inherent fertility and biological life to build soil, and improves water quality.
 
Research Studies

College of Natural Resources: University of CA, Berkeley

Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Organic Agriculture at Cornell University
 
 
Other Articles to Read

The Down to Earth website has a good article concerning several aspects of organic vs. conventional farming, including cost, health benefits, and environmental aspects.

Medicine News Today - Organic Foods in Relationto Nutrition and Health Key Facts: discusses the dangers of pesticides, food additives and genetically modified organisms and the effect of organic agriculture on essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids.

Eating Better Than Organic: a great article from time.com discussing the benefits of not just organic, but local (and especially local organic) foods also.

Can Organic Farming Feed the World? Written and published by University of California, Berkeley, this article gives a wonderful account of how organic farming is a growing necessity if we want to support our growing population.
 
 
 
 

International Certification Services, Inc.
301 5th Ave SE Medina, ND 58467 United States
Tel: 701-486-3578 * Fax: 701-486-3580 * email: info@ics-intl.com