Provincial and Regional Organic Organizations
Atlantic Canadian Organic Regional Network (ACORN) is a non-profit member-based organization supporting the viability and growth of the Atlantic Canadian organic community through a unified regional network.
Organic Nova Scotia (ONS) is a member organization representing and promoting Nova Scotia’s organic producers and processors.
PEI Certified Organic Producers Cooperative (PEI COPC) is a cooperative composed of organic producers, processors and like minded consumers who wish to see organic agriculture grow within Prince Edward Island.
- Organic BC
- Organic Alberta
- SaskOrganics
- Manitoba Organic Alliance
- Organic Council of Ontario
- Quebec Bio (Quebec consumer focus)
- L’Union de producteurs agricoles (Quebec farmers)
- Growers of Organic Food Yukon
Government Extension Services Supporting Organic in Atlantic Canada
Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture and Land
Dan Clavin, Organic and Perennial Crop Development Officer
djclavin@gov.pe.ca, (902) 218-7461
New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries
Claude Bertheleme, Environment Services and Crop Specialists (Unit)
claude.bertheleme@gnb.ca, (506) 453-3046
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
Jane White, Crop Development Officer
janewhite@gov.nl.ca, (709) 729-6867
Nova Scotia - Perennia Agriculture Field Services Staff
Perennia offers government-supported no fee services to eligible Nova Scotia producers who own a provincially-registered farm operation and are producing for commercial sale. For questions on organic production, contact Talia Plaskett, tplaskett@perennia.ca, 902.305.3419 (Perennia Field Services Staff)
National and International Organic Organizations
Canadian Organic Alliance (COA) - coallition of three national organizations:
- Canadian Organic Growers (COG)—a national registered charity engaged in organic education, policy work and sector development.
- Organic Federation of Canada (OFC)—a national organization focused on organic standards and regulations and administration of Organic Science Cluster research projects.
- Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA)—a national organization focused on organic market access, advocacy, and data analysis.
Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada (OACC) is a national organization that facilitates and leads organic research and education. Headoffice is located at Dalhousie University, Agricultural Campus, NS.
IFOAM Organics International is a global network of stakeholders working toward the broad adoption of sustainable agriculture in line with the principles of organic agriculture.
Alliance for Organic Integrity has a mission to improve the quality of organic claims through education on best certification and accreditation practices, to develop tools for preventing fraud and to share these tools and educational components with all those involved, so as to enhance trust in the organic guarantee system. Publishes The Organic Standards monthly journal.
Organic Trade Association (USA) is a membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America.
Organic Materials Review Institute (Canada) maintains lists of products that are acceptable to use under organic standards. Companies apply to OMRI to have their products reviewed.
Organic Certifying Bodies active in Atlantic Canada
- Ecocert
- Pro-Cert
- Atlantic Certified Organic (the Atlantic chapter of TransCanada Certified Organic)
- Centre for Systems Integration
- Organic Crop Improvement Association
Organizations Supporting Sustainable Food and Farming
Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security is building a movement for resilient seed systems across Canada by taking action to increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of ecological seed grown in Canada while honouring the wisdom of farmers.
Farmers for Climate Solutions is a national coalition of farmer-led and farmer-supporting organizations who believe that agriculture must be part of the solution to climate change.
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) brings together 15 groups to research, monitor and raise awareness about issues relating to genetic engineering in food and farming.
Young Agrarians is a farmer to farmer educational resource network for new and young ecological, organic and regenerative farmers in Canada.
Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario (EFAO) supports farmers to build resilient ecological farms and grow a strong knowledge-sharing community.
National Farmers Union Canada represents the demands of Canadian farmers to achieve policy and reform.
Farmers Markets of Nova Scotia is a non-profit cooperative that advances growth and prosperity for member farmers’ markets and their vendors through training, resources, advocacy, promotion, and community.
Food First NL works with communities in Newfoundland & Labrador to ensure everyone has access to affordable, healthy, and culturally appropriate food.
Food for All NB provides leadership in the advancement of food security in New Brunswick through networking, knowledge and information sharing, public relations and building partnerships.
Ecology Action Centre is a member-based environmental charity in Nova Scotia taking leadership on critical environmental issues from biodiversity protection to climate change to environmental justice.
CLIMAtlantic facilitates access to data and information that supports adaptation to climate change in Atlantic Canada including maps of expected changes in temperature and precipitation and a networking map of organizations and individuals working on climate adaptation.