Michigan
May 21-22, 2026
Join ACA at NSF HQ in Ann Arbor, MI. Final agenda details to come, but will include three hours of risk-based certification training as indicated below. The cost to attend is $400 and includes lunch on Day 1.
Agenda – subject to change
Day 1
8:30-9am – Registration
9-10:30am – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review Part I – Marni Karlin and Jackie DeMinter
Verifying compliance with the organic regulations is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Using a risk-based approach (assessing the risk to organic integrity of operations and situations, and then using that assessment to inform compliance verification procedures) will benefit the entire system – it will maximize the use of certification and inspection resources and talent, minimize unnecessary burdens on operations, and enable resources to be put toward areas where there is higher risk of compromise to organic integrity. Join us as we present ACA’s new risk-based certification tools and consider how they can improve the work of inspectors, reviewers, and certification overall.
10:30-10:45am – Break
10:45-11:45am – Materials Through a Risk-Based Lens – Matt Begley (OEFFA) and Adam Seitz (QAI)
Organic certification requires material reviewers to evaluate inputs for compliance with National Organic Program standards. On the surface, this can seem straight-forward; is the input on the National List – check; big 3 verification – check; National List restriction verification – check. It sounds simple! But in practice, material review is often complex, time-consuming, and requires specialized staff resources. This session explores some existing and upcoming ACA risk-based material review best practices. We’ll also review paradigm-shifting practices already implemented by some certifiers to ensure consistent, defensible, risk-based material review practices. Come prepared to start building, expanding, or validating your existing risk-based material review program.
11:45am-12:45pm – Lunch provided by ACA
12:45-1:45pm – Organic Product Fraud Prevention: The Evolving Role of Certification Professional – John W Spink, PhD
1:45-2pm – Break
2-3pm – Residue
3-3:15pm – Break
3:15-4:45pm – Voices from the Field: Lessons Learned from TOPP and Their Applications in Certification
Day 2
9-10:30am – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review: Part II – Marni Karlin and Jackie DeMinter
10:30-10:45am- Break
10:45am-12pm – AI in Action: Tools, Tips & Real-World Problem Solving for Organic Certification Staff – Ellie Hudson and Liz Figueredo
Bring your problems and we’ll work together to find a solution!
This hands-on workshop introduces organic certification staff to AI platforms and practical applications for their daily work. Participants will explore available tools, review best practices and data security policies, and then collaborate in small groups to tackle real certification challenges using AI, walking away with concrete strategies they can apply immediately.
Click here for a customizable budget worksheet you can copy and download and justification letter.
Atlanta
August 17-18, 2026
Agenda details to come. Check back soon!
Holyoke, MA
September 24-25, 2026
Join ACA at the Kittredge Center at Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, MA. Final agenda details to come. The cost to attend is $400 and includes lunch on Day 1.
Agenda – subject to change
Day 1
8:30-9am – Registration
9-10:30am – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review Part I – Marni Karlin and Meredith Morgan
Verifying compliance with the organic regulations is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Using a risk-based approach (assessing the risk to organic integrity of operations and situations, and then using that assessment to inform compliance verification procedures) will benefit the entire system – it will maximize the use of certification and inspection resources and talent, minimize unnecessary burdens on operations, and enable resources to be put toward areas where there is higher risk of compromise to organic integrity. Join us as we present ACA’s new risk-based certification tools and consider how they can improve the work of inspectors, reviewers, and certification overall.
10:30-10:45am – Break
10:45-11:45am – Session II
11:45am-12:45pm – Lunch provided by ACA
12:45-1:45pm –Session III
1:45-2pm – Break
2-3pm –Session IV
3-3:15pm – Break
3:15-4:45pm – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review: Part II – Marni Karlin and Meredith Morgan
Day 2
9-10:30am – Session I
10:30-10:45am- Break
10:45am-12pm – AI in Action: Tools, Tips & Real-World Problem Solving for Organic Certification Staff
Bring your problems and we’ll work together to find a solution!
This hands-on workshop introduces organic certification staff to AI platforms and practical applications for their daily work. Participants will explore available tools, review best practices and data security policies, and then collaborate in small groups to tackle real certification challenges using AI, walking away with concrete strategies they can apply immediately.
Click here for a customizable budget worksheet and justification letter.
Portland, OR
October 1-2, 2026
Final agenda details to come, but will include three hours of risk-based certification training as indicated below. The cost to attend is $400 and includes lunch on Day 1.
Agenda – subject to change
Day 1
8:30-9am – Registration
9-10:30am – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review Part I – Marni Karlin and Connie Karr
Verifying compliance with the organic regulations is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Using a risk-based approach (assessing the risk to organic integrity of operations and situations, and then using that assessment to inform compliance verification procedures) will benefit the entire system – it will maximize the use of certification and inspection resources and talent, minimize unnecessary burdens on operations, and enable resources to be put toward areas where there is higher risk of compromise to organic integrity. Join us as we present ACA’s new risk-based certification tools and consider how they can improve the work of inspectors, reviewers, and certification overall.
10:30-10:45am – Break
10:45-11:45am – Session II
11:45am-12:45pm – Lunch provided by ACA
12:45-1:45pm –Session III
1:45-2pm – Break
2-3pm –Session IV
3-3:15pm – Break
3:15-4:45pm – Using Risk Assessment to Improve Inspection and Certification Review: Part II – Marni Karlin and Connie Karr
Day 2
9-10:30am – Session I
10:30-10:45am- Break
10:45am-12pm – AI in Action: Tools, Tips & Real-World Problem Solving for Organic Certification Staff – Connie Karr
Bring your problems and we’ll work together to find a solution!
This hands-on workshop introduces organic certification staff to AI platforms and practical applications for their daily work. Participants will explore available tools, review best practices and data security policies, and then collaborate in small groups to tackle real certification challenges using AI, walking away with concrete strategies they can apply immediately.
Click here for a customizable budget worksheet and justification letter.