202-3002 32nd Ave, Vernon BC Canada V1T 2L7 info@certifiedorganic.bc.ca

Rooted in purpose. Powered by people.

Organic BC represents a unified voice for BC farmers, processors, and advocates committed to agricultural practices that support environmental and human health, help mitigate climate change, provide economic opportunity, and increase BC’s food sovereignty. From fighting for stronger policies to increasing market demand to building community, we’ve laid a foundation of innovation, leadership and trust.

Vision: A thriving food and farming system in BC built on the foundation of organic principles and practices.

Mission: To advance organic food systems in BC through advocacy, education, and promotion.

 

Our history

Our story begins in 1993, with a group of visionary BC farmers who advocated for provincial organic standards and created a non-profit society, the Certified Organic Associations of BC (COABC).

As a leading voice for organics in BC, the COABC was also instrumental in developing the national organic standards and generating an agricultural community that has been working together for over 30 years to support and promote climate resilient, ecologically-based agricultural practices.

In 2025, the COABC, which had recently began operating as Organic BC, shifted its focus solely to administering the BC Certified Organic Program, while Organic BC became its own independent non-profit society dedicated to advancing organic, regenerative agriculture in the province.

 

Growing the organic movement from the ground up

Organic BC works collaboratively with stakeholders across the province to strengthen and grow the organic sector in meaningful and measurable ways. We deliver tools, training, and knowledge-sharing through field days, workshops, podcasts, videos, and our biennial BC Organic Conference—ensuring farmers and ranchers can adapt, improve, and thrive. We work closely with provincial and federal governments to shape policies and funding that reflect the realities and needs of organic producers. And, we work to promote and grow the market demand for BC-grown organic food.

Together, we’re making organic agriculture more visible, viable, and valued—leading to more land under organic production, more farmers adopting organic regenerative practices, and more British Columbians choosing food that supports a better future. We’re not just supporting a sector—we’re nurturing a movement that delivers environmental resilience, economic opportunity, and healthy communities.

Organic BC also affirms the principles of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM):

Principle of Health: Organic agriculture should sustain and enhance the health of soil, plants, animals, humans and the planet as one and indivisible.

Principle of Ecology: Organic agriculture should be based on living ecological systems and cycles, work with them, emulate them and help sustain them.

Principle of Fairness: Organic agriculture should build on relationships that ensure fairness with regard to the common environment and life opportunities.

Principle of Care: Organic agriculture should be managed in a precautionary and responsible manner to protect the health and well-being of current and future generations and the environment.

Organic BC is a member of:

 

Special Thanks

Funding for Organic BC’s website and online tools has been provided by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.