Georgia Crop Improvement Association Inc

THE GEORGIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION IS AN INDEPENDENT, NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROVIDING UNBIASED, THIRD PARTY INSPECTION/AUDITING SERVICES TO AGRICULTURE IN THE SEED, FOOD AND RELATED INDUSTRIES WITH PRIMARY EMPHASIS ON SEED AND TURFGRASS CERTIFICATION.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCTIVITY, PROFITABILITY AND EFFICIENCY OF AGRICULTURE BY PROVIDING UNBIASED INSPECTION/AUDITING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES TO INCLUDE: 1. DEVELOPING AND ADOPTING STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE FOR THE VARIOUS CLASSES OF SEED GROWN BY MEMBERS UNDER THE RULES OF THE ASSOCIATION. 2. PROVIDING AN INSPECTION/AUDIT SERVICE FOR GROWING SEED CROPS, TURF AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 3. COLLECTING AND DISTRIBUTING INFORMATION PERTINENT TO CLIENTS' NEEDS BY EXHIBIT, DEMONSTRATIONS, ETC. 4. PROVIDING INFORMATION AND PROMOTING ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST AND BENEFIT TO PRODUCERS AND CONSUMERS OF SEED, TURF AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES.

THE GOOD AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES PROGRAM FOR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES (GAPP)IS DESIGNED TO: 1. MINIMIZE MICROBIAL FOOD HAZARDS 2. MINIMIZE OR ELIMINATE DAMAGING PROCTICES TO THE ENVIRONMENT 3. PROMOTE WORKER HEALTH AND HYGIENE 4. PROMOTE FOOD SAFETY 5. PROMOTE THE USE OF FOOD SECURITY PRACTICES 6. PROVIDE THIRD PARTY INSPECTION/AUDITING SERVICE WHEN REQUIRED 7. PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION OF THE USE OF GAPP PROCEDURES BY PRODUCERS 8. EDUCATE CONSUMERS THE GAPP PROGRAM IS A JOINT EFFORT OF THE GEORGIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE GEORGIA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE GROWERS ASSOCIATION, THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENTS OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HORTICULTURE.

THE GEORGIA CROP IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION'S (GCIA) ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF THIRD-PARTY CERTIFYING ACTIVITIES REGULARLY PERFORMED FOR SEED, QUALITY ASSURANCE AND IDENTITY PRESERVED PROGRAMS CURRENTLY OFFERED. THE GCIA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION PROGRAM IS COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTALLY SOUND AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE PRODUCTION OF FOOD AND ENCOURAGES THE PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, THE IMPROVEMENT OF SOIL QUALITY AND HEALTH THROUGH ORGANIC AND SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES AND TO FOSTER THE PRODUCTION OF HEALTHY LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY PRODUCTION.