Unique opportunity for those interested, or already involved, in a related career
A unique opportunity is available for organic inspectors or those interested in working in the organic field — including county extension agents, regulatory agency staff, organic processors and industry activists — in order to better understand the organic inspection and certification process.
The county Department of Research and Development has provided a grant to enable the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and Hawaii Organic Farmers Association (HOFA) to offer “Basic Organic Farm (Crop) Inspector Training,” to be held Jan. 25-29, and “Process and Handling Inspector Training,” to be held Feb. 1-5, in Hilo.
The registration deadline is Sunday, Dec. 12.
Organic crop inspection training includes instruction on the organic standards; how to inspect organic farms; audit trail requirements; risk assessment; inspector conduct, understanding the difference between inspecting and consulting, and a field trip to a certified organic farm.
Organic processing inspection training includes instruction on how to conduct processing facility inspections, organic processing and handling standards, organic quality management, Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), audit control, regulations, structural pest management, sanitation, labeling, report writing and inspector protocols, and a field trip to a certified organic processing facility.
Certificates of completion are awarded to attendees who meet all course completion criteria and pass a graded written assignment (inspection report), and final test. A limited number of spaces are available. Acceptance to any IOIA training course is dependent on meeting IOIA course acceptance criteria.
Application forms are available from: HOFA at P.O. Box 6863 Hilo, HI 96720, by calling 969-7789 or visiting hofa@hawaiiorganic.org.
The Hawaii Organic Farmers Association is a nonprofit organization that provides education about organic certification and sustainability in Hawaii.
Its stated mission is “to protect the life of the land and the health of our communities through education about organic land care practices. Developing and strengthening certified organic farms enhances Hawaii’s many fragile ecosystems and provides a base for a sustainable local economy.”
