Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.

Have you heard about the Organic Conversion Support Program? The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) provides organic producers with financial assistance for the transition to organic farming. This program reimburses producers for a portion of their paid certification costs. Once certified, organic producers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to a maximum of ... $1000 per certification scopecrops and wild crops. *the number of applicants accepted for reimbursement is limited, please provide all documentation within 12 months of certification* Contact [email protected] to get all the information you need.

Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. is hiring a Regulatory Affairs Officer in its western office located in Saskatoon, SK. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter as per the attached ad.

Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. is hiring a producer Certification Specialist in its western office located in Saskatoon, SK. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter as per the attached ad.

Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. is hiring a producer Certification Specialist in its eastern office located in Cambray, ON. If you are interested, please send a resume and cover letter as per the attached ad.

The Revised Canadian Organic Standards are here! Find out what’s new, what’s changed and how the movement is growing to continue to protect the integrity of organic products in Canada in 2021 and beyond at: https://www.pro-cert.org/revised-canadian-organic-standard/

Trading with India Webinar - October 14 11-12:30 EDT Recently, we have seen an increase in activity and focus on organic trade with India. If you are currently sourcing organic products from India or anticipate that you will in the near future, we encourage you to attend the Trading with India webinar hosted by COTA next Wednesday! The webinar will explain trade between India and Canada, which will also involve APEDA, the Indian Consulate General, COTA, and the Indian export...er community as well as Canadian importers. It has come to light that there has been a significant amount of non-compliant products coming into Canada and we wish to be proactive on clarifying the organic trade issues. COTA will present, with CFIA available to clarify questions or concerns raised. Most of the session will be a way for the importers and exporters to meet each other and build better trade relations between the two countries. It is happening next Wednesday, October 14th at 11am EDT-12:30pm. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/124454050415

Did you know that all inputs used in organic farming must meet the organic requirements for compliance? Check out our website for a list of already Approved Inputs at www.pro-cert.org/inputs You can search by Product Name, Type, Manufacturer and more! Don't see the product(s) you want to use? Submit them to the office for review prior to use. You can also call one of our team members any time for assistance.

COTA is conducting a survey to help evaluate the affect of COVID-19 on grocery shopping habits in Canada. If you are Canadian, please circulate and participate so we can collect some insights on the affect of the pandemic on the organic industry. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/35L22VT

Pro-Cert is working very hard to ensure that continuity of service is maintained during the current world climate. Due to COVID-19, our staff is working remotely and we will be testing new virtual inspection procedures in the coming days. We intend to work together with you, our clients, to get through this and continue to keep the organic industry moving forward.

Our friends at the Canada Organic Trade Association are putting together recommendations on how governments at all levels can best support the organic sector (producers and processors) in their responses to COVID-19. Please take a moment or two to complete the survey to ensure the needs of the organic community in Saskatchewan are represented. https://mailchi.mp//covid-19-urgent-supply-chain-needs-sur

Just a quick post to let everyone know that Pro-Cert has not been absent on the coronavirus issue and we have been hard at work producing and implementing measures to ensure that our staff (both in-house and field) along with you, our clients, are kept as safe as possible during this tumultuous time. More communication is forthcoming and you will hear from us very soon.

Our team is going to busy this week! Come see us at Prairie Organics in Brandon, MB Mar.5-6 or the East Central Farm Show in Lindsay, ON Mar. 5 or at Expo West in Anaheim Mar. 5-7.

Pro-Cert is hiring a Certification Specialist for Organic Processors! If you love organics, are self motivated and want to be part of an amazing team, this could be the job for you. See the link below for more details. https://www.pro-cert.org/careers/

If you are attending the Pro-Grassive Grass-fed conference Feb. 26 please stop by and visit the Pro-Cert team at their booth. We'd love to discuss #organic and #grassfed with you!

If you are attending #CHFAWest this weekend please stop by and visit Cody and Jenn at the Pro-Cert booth #1810. We'd love to discuss #organic with you!

The Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA) held its 4th annual Organic Leadership Awards Gala in Vancouver, BC on Wednesday, February 19th. Awards are presented annually to acknowledge the Canadian heroes who are advancing the Canadian organic movement and industry. Pro-Cert is pleased to announce that one of this year’s recipients was our founder and General Manager, J. Wallace Hamm, who received the Organic Champion of the Year award. This award was given as a testament t...o his unending dedication to organic. Of my more than 50 years in agriculture, as both a producer and agriculture professional, these last 30 years of involvement with the organic movement have been the most fulfilling and enjoyable, explains Mr. Hamm. I am humbled that the movement has chosen to recognize my service in protecting the integrity of the organic claim. Congratulations to Wally as well as these other deserving award winners: Organic Champion of the Year J. Wallace Hamm Leadership in Organic Science Dr. Ralph Martin Organic Retailer of the Year Whole Foods Market Organic Supplier of the Year Fruit d’Or Organic Innovator of the Year Riverside Natural Foods Organic Farmer of the Year The Green Organic Dutchman It is an honour to be a long-standing member of this growing industry we call organic.

The next month or so is going to be very busy for the Pro-Cert team. Look for us at the following venues and stop by for a chat! Feb. 22-23 - CHFA West - Vancouver, BC Feb. 27 - ProGrassive Conference - Canastota, NY Mar. 5 - East Central Farm Show - Lindsay, ON Mar. 5-6 - Prairie Organics/Think Whole Farm - Brandon, MB... Mar. 5-7 - Expo West - Anaheim, CA Mar. 20 - Soil Health & Organic Production - Hines Creek, AB Mar. 26-27 - Advancing Organics - Regina, SK See more

To our Canadian clients: With the implementation of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations came a regulation change that requires certifying bodies to request a client's Intent to Re-apply on an annual basis. This letter was mailed to all of our producer clients before Christmas, and is being emailed to our processor clients as their renewal dates indicate. Please note that it is a requirement that you respond to this letter for our files. You may be receiving a phone call in regards to this. If you have not received, or otherwise misplaced this letter, please let us know and we will send a follow up. Thank you for your cooperation.

The Advancing Organics-SaskOrganics Conference, Trade Show and AGM is taking place March 26 & 27, 2020 at the Delta Hotel in Regina. Click here to register: http://saskorganics.org/advancing-organics-20/registration/

Today is the last day of the Crop Production Show in Saskatoon. If you have questions about organic, gluten-free or grassfed certifications, stop by our booth in Hall B (B26) and visit the Pro-Cert team!

If you are attending the Western Canadian Crop Production Show next week, come by booth B26 and visit with the Pro-Cert team. We will have representatives there to discuss production as well as processing/handling/trading.

The new year is upon us, which means if you are a current producer client, you will soon be seeing your 2020 application package in the mail. If you are not a current client, but wish to move towards organic this year, you may contact our office at any time and we will have an Initial Application package sent directly to you. Happy New Year from our team at Pro-Cert!

This is an amazing idea and should be implemented everywhere! https://matadornetwork.com//copenhagen-plant-communal-fr/

SaskOrganics is holding a half day workshop "Handing over the reins-succession planning for the organic farm" on November 26 at the Queensbury Convention Center in Regina. Follow the link for registration (Early Bird deadline is Nov. 21). http://saskorganics.org//handing-over-the-reins-successio/

If you are heading to the Grain Millers Harvest Showdown this week, be sure to attend the Soil Health & Regenerative Organic Agriculture workshop being hosted by SaskOrganics on Nov. 7. http://saskorganics.org//soil-health-regenerative-organic/

We all know that eating an apple a day keeps the doctor away. However, it seems eating an organic one may be even more beneficial! https://organicbiz.ca/an-apple-caries-100-million-bacteria/

There is a reason why organic regulations require the name of the certifying body be listed on product labels. Always check, and when in doubt, contact that certifier if you have questions! https://www.ftc.gov//truly-organic-ftc-says-no-alleges-ret