Team Organic Mandya ·
Certified Organic Seed Sources in the US: Where to Buy
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) requires certified organic farms to use certified organic seed when commercially available — and the US has a far more developed organic seed market than most countries, with dozens of companies specialising in certified organic and open-pollinated varieties. The requirement means: first, search for an organic version of the variety you want; if commercially unavailable, you may use untreated (no synthetic coating or treatment) conventional seed; you must document your search and decision. Using conventionally treated seed (with fungicide or insecticide coating) is never allowed. Most mainstream US vegetable varieties now have organic seed equivalents available through specialty suppliers.
Organic seed first
NOP requirement — always search for organic seed before using conventional untreated
Document your search
Keep records of where you searched for organic seed and why you could not find it if using conventional untreated
Never treated
Chemically treated seed (fungicide/insecticide coating) is never allowed on a certified organic farm
Seed Finder tool
USDA's Organic Seed Finder (seedsearch.ams.usda.gov) lists available organic seed sources
Where Can You Buy Certified Organic Seed in the US?
| Supplier | Specialty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High Mowing Organic Seeds (Vermont) | Broad vegetable selection; all certified organic; excellent trial data | highmowingseeds.com; ships nationally; strong reputation for organic performance |
| Johnny's Selected Seeds (Maine) | Large selection including organic varieties; well-trialled | johnnyseeds.com; clearly marks organic vs conventional; professional seed catalogue |
| Fedco Seeds (Maine) | Cooperative model; organic and heirloom focus; strong Northeast US varieties | fedcoseeds.com; seasonal ordering; excellent for Northeast and Mid-Atlantic organic farms |
| Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds (Missouri) | Massive heirloom collection; some certified organic; zero GMO | rareseeds.com; strongest collection of rare and heirloom varieties; not all are certified organic |
| Seed Savers Exchange (Iowa) | Primary US heirloom seed preservation organisation; 24,000 varieties in library | seedsavers.org; some certified organic; essential for rare and traditional varieties |
| Organic Seed Alliance (Washington) | Research and advocacy; publishes variety trial results for organic systems | seedalliance.org; excellent trial data to guide variety selection |
| Row 7 Seed Company | Varieties bred specifically for flavour; chef-driven; some organic | row7seed.com; premium market varieties; restaurant-quality flavour focus |
| Siskiyou Seeds (Oregon) | Biodynamic and organic varieties; Pacific Northwest adapted | siskiyouseeds.com; strong for Pacific Northwest organic farms |
| Uprising Seeds (Washington) | Organic breeding for the Pacific Northwest; community-supported | uprisingorganics.com; open-pollinated and organic focus |
What Does the NOP Seed Compliance Process Look Like?
Step 1: Determine what variety you want to plant.
Step 2: Search for that variety in certified organic form:
- Check USDA Organic SEED Finder: seedsearch.ams.usda.gov
- Check 2–3 major organic seed suppliers (High Mowing, Johnny’s, Fedco)
- Document your search date and results
Step 3: If organic version found → purchase and plant. Record purchase and variety.
Step 4: If organic version not found → you may use untreated conventional seed. Document:
- Date of search
- Suppliers checked
- Why organic seed was unavailable (not carried, out of stock, wrong variety)
- That the conventional seed purchased is untreated (save purchase receipt; confirm with supplier)
Step 5: Keep all records in your organic system plan / farm diary — certification inspectors ask for seed sourcing documentation.
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Visit Our Shop →What Are the Best Organic Vegetable Varieties for US Farms?
| Crop | Recommended Organic Varieties | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Sungold (cherry, OP), Cherokee Purple (heirloom), Matt's Wild Cherry, Brandywine (Sudduth strain) | Heirlooms dominate the flavour premium market; Sungold is the most popular cherry tomato at US farmers markets |
| Lettuce | Buttercrunch, Jericho (heat tolerant), Freckles, Red Sails | Loose-leaf types produce continuously; butterhead has premium market appeal |
| Kale | Lacinato (Dinosaur), Red Russian, Siberian | Lacinato is most popular with restaurants and CSA boxes; Red Russian is most heat tolerant |
| Spinach | Reflect, Viroflay, Olympia | Heat-tolerant varieties essential for extending season |
| Carrots | Nantes types (Bolero, Napoli), Danvers 126 | Nantes type is preferred by most CSA and farmers market buyers for sweetness |
| Beets | Chioggia (candy-stripe), Golden, Bull's Blood | Coloured beet varieties command premium at farmers markets; grow multiple colours |
| Zucchini/Summer Squash | Costata Romanesco, Black Beauty, Yellow Crookneck | Romanesco has exceptional flavour; open-pollinated and seed-saveable |
| Beans | Dragon Tongue (wax bean), Provider (bush), Rattlesnake Pole | Provider is most reliable in organic systems; Rattlesnake Pole for continuous harvest |
What Is the Seed Saving Culture in the US Organic Community?
The US has a strong seed-saving tradition maintained through:
- Seed Savers Exchange (seedsavers.org): 13,000+ member network; largest heirloom seed library in the world; members exchange seeds from rare varieties
- Regional seed libraries: Most US states have public seed libraries at county libraries or extension offices; seeds borrowed and returned after growing season
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms: Many CSA farms maintain their own seed saving programs for varieties that perform best in their specific climate
- Open Source Seed Initiative (OSSI): A pledge-based system ensuring seed varieties remain freely available; alternative to plant variety patents
Use the USDA Organic SEED Finder Before Every Season
The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service maintains a database called the Organic SEED Finder at seedsearch.ams.usda.gov. Before ordering seeds each season, search this database for the variety you want. If it shows as available from multiple suppliers, you are required to source organic seed. If it shows no results, document that and proceed to untreated conventional seed. This 2-minute search protects your certification compliance and keeps you from inadvertently using conventional seed when organic was available. Many certifiers ask during annual inspections: “Did you search the Organic SEED Finder before purchasing your seeds this season?” Having an answer (and a record) protects you.
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