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