12 Steps to Becoming an Organic Farmer

The below table shows the 12 keys steps to becoming an organic farmer, whether as an individual or in a group. 

For Individual Producers

  1. Research Organic agriculture for yourself - Start by exploring kilimohai.org or speaking to organic farmers.
  2. Become a TOAM member - this is a voluntary step.
  3. Attend a training session on organic agriculture - TOAM provides organic trainings, as do many of our members and other competent professionals.
  4. Get coaching on organic standards and certification.
  5. Develop and implement an organic farm management plan.
  6. Implement organic principles and practices on your farm.
  7. Observe the conversion period - this is at least one year for the East African Organic Product Standards but varies depending on the standards.
  8. Contact the certifying body and make arrangements for certification.
  9. The certifying body carries out an external audit (also know as an external inspection) on your farm.
  10. The certifying body announces its decision on certification based on findings of the audit.
  11. Begin to market your produce using the organic mark - consider advertising your produce at kilimohai.org/marketplace.
  12. Renew the organic certification license on a yearly basis. Be sure to continue implementing organic principles and practices as well as observing contract with the certifying body.

For Producer Groups

  1. Form a group of people with a common interest.
  2. Research organic agriculture for yourself - Start by exploring kilimohai.org or speaking to organic farmers.
  3. Become a TOAM member - this is a voluntary step.
  4. Attend a training session on organic agriculture - TOAM provides organic trainings, as do many of our members and other competent professionals.
  5. Each group member implements organic principles and practices on their farm.
  6. Attend a training on organic quality management systems considering the target market.
  7. Set and implement the system, observing the conversion period.
  8. Contact the certifying body and make arrangements for certification.
  9. The certifying body carries out an external audit (also know as an external inspection) on your farm.
  10. The certifying body announces its decision on certification based on findings of the audit.
  11. Begin to market your produce using the organic mark - consider advertising your produce at kilimohai.org/marketplace.
  12. Renew the organic certification license on a yearly basis. Be sure to continue implementing organic principles and practices as well as observing contract with the certifying body.