According to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), organic agriculture is defined as "an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, or enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people."
The Iowa Department of Agriculture is accredited by the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) to certify all aspects of the organic food chain including organic crops, organic food products, organic feed, organic livestock and handling/processing of organic products. We certify over 330 producers and 50 handling/processing operations located in Iowa and neighboring states.
Iowa Organic Advisory Council Members
Secretary of Agriculture Appointments
| Category | Name | Term Ending Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producer | Ben Saunders | April 30, 2026 | Polk |
| Producer (livestock) | Vacant | ||
| Producer (crop) | James Petersen | April 30, 2024 | Marion |
| Processor | Carol Kitchen | April 30, 2026 | Polk |
| Handler/Retailer | Tim Daley (Vice Chair) | April 30, 2026 | Black Hawk |
| Education | Dr. Kathleen Delate | April 30, 2024 | Story |
Gubernatorial Appointments
| Category | Name | Term Ending Date | County |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producer (livestock) | Edwin Herscherger | April 30, 2026 | Washington |
| Producer (crop) | Roger Lansink (Chair) | April 30, 2026 | Sac |
| Processor | Sue Wheeler | April 30, 2025 | Johnson |
| Education | Dr. Ajay Nair | April 30, 2024 | Story |
| Public | Emily Peters | April 30, 2026 | Cerro Gordo |