CERTIFICATION STANDARDS

Organic Plus Trust Certification: The Gold Standard

Simply put, the most recognized and trusted top-tier brands are certified. When companies (and the farmers they partner with) go through a third-party verification process, the buying public can always be certain they’re getting certified grass-fed organic dairy. The USDA Organic and Organic Plus Trust seals on packaging ensure complete farm-to-table transparency with products that meet the highest grass-fed organic compliance standards. From animal welfare audits to supply chain verification, trust isn’t just promised—it’s literally in our name.

Aligned with USDA organic guidelines.

Unclear about the labeling on products? Here’s what you should know.

  • Full supply chain certification traceability

  • Highest standard of grass-fed organic

  • 100% grass-fed organic dairy is better for humans, 
better for the environment, and more ethical towards animals

  • Third-party certification, working with USDA Organic Accredited Certifiers

  • Legitimacy, with top-tier brands that have gone through the certification process

The Organic Plus Trust seal ensures:

When it comes to dairy and meat, animals must be raised according to organic standards set by the USDA (ie: fed organic feed, access to the outdoors, no unnecessary antibiotics or growth hormones, and produced in a manner that preserves natural resources and biodiversity). OPT builds on these USDA standards.

The term “organic,” however, does not guarantee “grass‐fed” or “pasture‐raised.”

ORGANIC

“Grass-Fed” labels do not automatically guarantee other factors like no hormones, no confinement, high animal-welfare, or holistic ecological practices — unless specified. Likewise, grass-fed DOES NOT always mean “grain-free,” “pasture finished,” or “certified by a third-party.” Or, how the animals were raised (on pasture or in a feedlot) or how the land was managed.

Certification to OPT standards verify both 100% Grass-Fed and USDA Organic.

GRASS-FED

Regenerative agriculture builds upon organic principles with a focus on improvement—actively restoring soil health, biodiversity, and carbon capture to leave the land better than before. It’s the next evolution of sustainability, a systems-based approach that strengthens ecosystems and farm communities for future generations.

OPT certification aligns with regenerative principles through sustainable grazing and organic management.

REGENERATIVE

The Organic Plus Trust’s Certified Grass-Fed Organic Livestock Program™ sets the first national standard for grass-fed, organic ruminant livestock production for meat and dairy.

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