Where Food Comes From Organic

Where Food Comes From Organic, a division of Where Food Comes From, Inc., is a Colorado-based firm providing American farmers organic certification services. Where Food Comes From (WFCF) acquired the Medina-based International Certification Services (ICS) in 2006. How did Medina, North Dakota get onto the global organic certification map?

Back in 1979, farmer Fred Kirschenmann saw a valuable opportunity for farmers in the organic sector, and he founded ICS. Seeking to create a space for farmers to grow and explore business opportunities, soil health and  higher value crops, Fred set out to create a viable yet  ground-breaking organization to challenge conventional mindsets and create opportunities. The initial program was called “Farm Verified Organic,” and was available to farmers even before the National Organic Program (NOP) was founded. Eventually, Fred’s knowledge and success made him well known in the industry, and as the NOP came online, the many farmers he had worked with were already prepared for organic trade. A native North Dakotan, Fred focused primarily on the tri-state area, and handled certification for organic growers throughout the Midwest.  

When the founders of Where Food Comes From, John and Leann Saunders, connected with Fred, ICS joined the WFCF family and was recently rebranded to WFCF Organic, a combination of ICS and A Bee Organic, one of WFCF’s additional Organic accredited divisions. The Medina branch remained the center for organic and gluten-free certification services. The company continues to provide verification of production practices and labeling claims that provide transparency and authenticity so consumers can feel confident in their purchasing decisions, while also providing producers with more value-added market differentiation opportunities. Whether their members are motivated primarily by environmental concerns or the higher prices they can get for organically produced crops, WFCF Organic helps them navigate the necessary processes and standards to gain compliance to the rules. 

Some overseas customers who are seeking to import organic products will seek out certification prior to making their purchase, and that is where WFCF Organic provides value. Certification equivalency is maintained between the US and Japan, Korea, the EU, Australia and Canada where certification standards are held to high, relational levels to ensure fair trade and quality exports.  

With the advent of COVID and due to its rural locations including Medina, WFCF has been successful in recruiting and training talent from all over the USA.  Nearly all WFCF staff grew up on farms, live in rural areas, and have an intrinsic understanding of the realities of farming. This genuine connectivity to farming and land has been a key attribute that WFCF brings to the table, making them an appealing business partner for many farmers. 

WFCF holds great pride in working with its customers every day. They truly believe hard-working, innovative farmers are the backbone of rural America, and they know they provide one of the greatest services to the country – home grown, high quality, safe food. WFCF is proud to be able to give farmers the additional marketing opportunities that allow them to continue feeding the world.