The Organic Land Care Program for Professionals
NOFA OLC has been training and accrediting land care professionals in principles and practices of organic land care, as defined by the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, since 2001.
The cornerstone of the NOFA OLC program is the credential of Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP). It is earned by individuals who demonstrate, through training and practice, an ongoing commitment to the organic land care approach defined by the program and the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care.
The NOFA Accreditation Program in Organic Land Care is the only program offering a credential in organic landscaping based on a set of standards that are accepted by IFOAM (the International Federation for Organic Agricultural Movements).
Professionals earn the AOLCP credential by
- successfully completing the NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care,
- passing the Accreditation Exam with at least an 80% grade,
- pledging to practice land care according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care for clients who ask for organic services.
The credential must be maintained with annual continuing education and an annual accreditation fee.
Benefits of Accreditation
The OLC Program supports AOLCP’s with
- a business listing on our Organic Land Care Guide and Map,
- use of the AOLCP and OLC logos, brands, and marketing tools in your business,
- access to the job board to post and seek jobs,
- discounted accreditation training for employees of AOLCPs,
- free workshops, presentations for continuing education,
- resources for organic land care.
About Accreditation
Who should become an AOLCP?
NOFA has trained and accredited thousands of individuals; AOLCPs can be found in every corner of the landscape industry. They are landscape installers and maintainers, gardeners, arborists, landscape designers and architects, municipal employees, lawn care technicians, mowers, ecologists, botanists, growers, nursery workers, educators, business owners, sole proprietors, and employees. While our core programming and history is rooted in the Northeast, AOLCPs can be found throughout all regions of the United States.
The path to becoming an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP) begins with the NOFA Accreditation Course in Organic Land Care. The course is offered online several times per year and periodically in an in-person format. Courses in all formats lead to accreditation.
The Standards for Organic Land Care
The NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care: Practices for Design and Maintenance of Ecological Landscapes present a vision of how organic agricultural principles can be applied to the landscaping profession, defining "organic" for landscaping as the USDA defines "organic" for agriculture.