So you're shopping for organic fertilizer and keep seeing these letters: CDFA, OMRI. What's the deal? Here's the thing—not all organic certifications are created equal. We spent months researching this stuff (yeah, we're nerds like that), and honestly? The differences blew our minds. That's why we chose CDFA organic certification for our products at Elm Dirt, and we want to break down why it matters for your garden.
Understanding Organic Certification Standards
What is CDFA Organic Certification?
CDFA stands for California Department of Food and Agriculture. California doesn't mess around when it comes to organic standards—they're basically the overachievers of the certification world. But here's what makes CDFA different: they actually care about what's IN your fertilizer, not just what's NOT in it. They dig deep into the microbial life in every product, checking that the good bacteria and fungi are present and thriving.
What makes CDFA special:
- They maintain massive lists of approved beneficial microorganisms (the good bugs!)
- Every product gets tested to verify those microbes are actually present and alive
- You have to document EVERYTHING—ingredients, processes, the whole nine yards
- Regular inspections keep everyone honest
- The entire focus is on soil health and building sustainable ecosystems

Beneficial microorganisms like those found in our CDFA-certified products work to improve soil health and plant nutrition
What is OMRI Certification?
OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) is a nonprofit that basically plays referee for organic production. They make sure products don't have the bad stuff—synthetic chemicals, prohibited substances, that kind of thing. It's important work, for sure. But here's the thing: OMRI is more about keeping the bad stuff out than making sure the good stuff is in there working for your plants.
Why Elm Dirt Chooses CDFA Organic Certification
Superior Microbial Standards
Okay, so this is where it gets really cool. CDFA has this massive list of approved beneficial microorganisms—we're talking specific species that scientists have actually studied and proven to help plants grow. It's not just "yeah, this seems organic." It's more like "we tested strain XYZ in the lab for three years and here's exactly what it does for your tomatoes." That level of detail? That's what sold us.
Experience CDFA-Certified Excellence
Our Plant Juice contains over 100 species of CDFA-approved beneficial microorganisms that work together to create healthier soil and stronger plants.
Shop Plant Juice → Shop Bloom Juice →Rigorous Testing and Documentation
We send every batch of our fertilizer to get its "microbiome" analyzed. Sounds fancy, right? Basically, they count and identify every type of bacteria and fungus living in the product. Our latest Bloom Juice test came back with over 140 different species. Here are some of the rockstars we found:
- Azospirillum - These guys pull nitrogen right out of the air and feed it to your plants. Free fertilizer!
- Pseudomonas - Think of these as your plant's personal trainers—they pump up root growth like crazy
- Lactobacillus - Yeah, the same stuff in yogurt. Turns out it's also amazing for soil structure
- Trichoderma - These fungi are basically bodyguards that protect your plants from the bad guys

Gardens thrive when fed with CDFA-certified organic fertilizers that support beneficial soil biology
Comparing Certification Approaches
Aspect | CDFA Certification | OMRI Certification |
---|---|---|
Approach | Proactive, science-based promotion of beneficial organisms | Reactive, compliance-focused exclusion of prohibited substances |
Microbial Focus | Species-specific approval with documented benefits | General organic compliance without specific microbial requirements |
Testing Requirements | Comprehensive microbiome analysis required | Basic ingredient compliance testing |
Innovation | Encourages cutting-edge biological research | Maintains existing organic standards |
The Science Behind Our Choice
Microbiome Analysis Results
We're total data nerds over here, so we test everything. When we ran the full analysis on our Bloom Juice, we found over 140 different beneficial species. And the best part? A ton of them were on that CDFA approved list. It's like getting an A+ on your report card, except this report card actually makes your flowers bigger.
Key findings from our microbiome analysis:
- High diversity of beneficial bacteria (over 100 species)
- Significant presence of nitrogen-fixing organisms
- Abundant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria
- Diverse fungal communities including beneficial Trichoderma species
Practical Benefits for Gardeners
Living Soil Development
Here's something wild: most conventional fertilizers are like fast food for plants. Quick hit of nutrients, but nothing lasting. Our CDFA-certified stuff? It's more like planting a whole ecosystem. The microbes we add stick around, multiply, and create this thriving underground community. Your plants tap into it like a 24/7 buffet, and they develop their own defense systems against diseases. It's pretty amazing to watch, honestly.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
Regenerative Agriculture Principles
CDFA certification lines up perfectly with what folks in regenerative agriculture have been saying for years: we need to rebuild soil, not just maintain it. Using our products actually helps pull carbon out of the atmosphere and lock it in the soil. Plus, you get better water retention and more biodiversity. Your garden literally becomes part of the solution to bigger environmental problems. How cool is that?
Frequently Asked Questions
Making the Right Choice for Your Garden
When CDFA Certification Matters Most
If you're serious about building soil health for the long haul (not just getting through this season), CDFA certification matters. Same goes if you want maximum microbial diversity or you're committed to truly sustainable gardening. Check out our product bundles—we've put together complete solutions for whatever you're growing.
Complete Garden Solutions
Explore our specialized collections designed for different gardening needs:
Vegetable Garden → Flower Garden →Our Commitment to Excellence
Look, we could've taken the easy route and just slapped an organic label on our products. But we're gardeners too, and we wanted to create something we'd actually use in our own yards. That's why we went with CDFA certification—it pushed us to really understand what's happening at the microscopic level and make sure we're adding the right biology to feed your soil.
The real difference between CDFA and other certifications? CDFA tells you exactly what beneficial organisms are in there working for you. Other certifications might just tell you what's NOT in the bottle. We wanted to know—and wanted YOU to know—precisely which microbes are showing up to help your plants thrive. That's the CDFA difference, and it's why your garden will thank you.