Certified Organic Operations in Kentucky

At the beginning of 2009 Kentucky had over 100 certified organic operations.

Most are certified by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA). The KDA was not accredited as an organic certifier when federal organic standards came into effect in 2002, but regained accreditation in early 2006.

Between 2002 and 2006 Kentucky had no organic certifier. Those who needed certification to sell organic products had to work with out-of-state agencies. The number of certified organic operations in Kentucky dropped dramatically in 2002 and grew rapidly after 2006.

The interactive map below shows the organic operations currently certified by the KDA. It  includes the out-of-state growers who certify through the KDA, but not the handful of Kentucky operations certified by out-of-state agencies.

Organic producers who sell less than $5,000 worth of organic products each year are exempt from the federal certification requirement. The mountainous region of eastern Kentucky is typified by very small farms with comparatively low sales, so those who grow organically in eastern Kentucky have not sought certification.

Learn more:

• Organic Certification Process (University of Kentucky cooperative extension factsheet)
• Kentucky Department of Agriculture Organic Program (Kentucky's organic certifier)
• National Organic Program (Sets national organic standards and accredits regional organic certification agencies)
• Practical guides for organic growers from the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service 

Updated June 3, 2009