We Farm Organically. Here’s Why We’re Not Certified.
, by Earthwise Garlic, 2 min reading time
We use certified organic inputs, no synthetic pesticides, and biological pest controls. So why don't we carry the USDA Organic label? Here's the honest explanation.
It's the question we get more than any other: "Is your garlic organic?"
The honest answer is: we farm organically. We use certified organic inputs, no synthetic pesticides, no synthetic fertilizers, and biological pest controls. We rotate our crops, feed our soil, and tend our fields the way a serious organic operation does.
What we don't have is the USDA Organic certification label. What we do have is more directly relevant to seed garlic: Oregon Department of Agriculture licensing, active ODA inspections, and a white rot testing program that most seed garlic sellers never pursue.
What We Actually Do on Our Farm
Our growing practices, stated plainly:
- No synthetic pesticides. We manage pests biologically — with beneficial nematodes and beneficial insects that target harmful organisms without leaving chemical residue in the soil or on the crop.
- No synthetic fertilizers. We feed our soil with certified organic fertilizers — feather meal is one of our favorites, a slow-release nitrogen source that builds soil biology rather than bypassing it. Every input we use is certified organic.
- Crop rotation. We rotate our garlic plots to prevent disease buildup, maintain soil health, and reduce pest pressure naturally.
Licensed, Inspected, and Tested for Disease
Oregon Nursery Stock License. We are licensed by the Oregon Department of Agriculture to sell plant material, including seed garlic. This requires ODA review and inspection of our operation.
ODA Inspections. The Oregon Department of Agriculture inspects our operation as part of our nursery license compliance. We welcome these inspections — they're an independent verification that our practices and seed stock meet the state's standards for plant health.
White Rot Testing. White rot (Sclerotium cepivorum) is the most destructive disease in garlic production — a soil-borne fungus that can persist in the ground for 40 years or more once established. There is no cure. Prevention starts with clean seed. We have the ODA conduct white rot inspections on our seed stock. Most garlic sellers — including many certified organic operations — don't do this.
What USDA Organic Certification Actually Is
The USDA Organic seal is a third-party certification program focused on inputs and practices. To carry it, a farm must apply through an accredited certifying agent, maintain detailed records, undergo annual inspections, and pay annual fees — typically $500 to $1,500 or more depending on the certifying body and farm size.
For a small boutique farm selling directly to home growers, the math is different — especially when we already have state licensing and inspections that directly address what matters most for seed garlic.
What This Means for You
When you plant Earthwise seed garlic, you're planting bulbs that were:
- Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers, using certified organic inputs and biological pest management
- Produced on an ODA-licensed operation subject to state inspection
- Inspected for white rot by the Oregon Department of Agriculture
- Grown by people who can explain every decision made in these fields
You're not getting a USDA Organic label. You're getting something more specific to what you actually need from seed garlic: clean, healthy, naturally grown stock from a licensed operation that takes plant health seriously.
Browse our naturally grown seed garlic varieties