Farmacie Isolde strongly encourages the proliferation of organic agriculture and supports those growers that have invested the time and trouble and considerable expense to become certified by the National Organic Program and other responsible international jurisdictions. However, Farmacie Isolde is not an NOP certified seed retailer. Though the seeds that we have grown ourselves have been produced using methods that far exceed the quality standards enforced by the USDA, our farm has never been certified NOP compliant, nor are our seed storage or packaging facilities certified NOP compliant. It is unlikely that we will ever pursue having this certification.

Many of the seeds that we procure from other growers and distributors are certified organic by the NOP, but as a retailer we may not sell them as USDA Certified Organic. We aim to facilitate the distribution of quality seeds almost exclusively among gardeners and do not wish to incur and ultimately pass along unnecessary expense. On our website you will find that several seed listings include the word “ORGANIC". These seeds are indeed certified organic, but you will not find them labeled as such when you receive the seeds because we are not an NOP compliant distributor. If you are an NOP certified grower we unfortunately cannot provide you with the product you require, although we can, in many cases, direct you to other relevant sources and growers. Email us.

Our selection of seeds is based entirely on personal preference and experience and interest. The eclectic nature of our seed collection has attracted an equally eclectic community of customers that, for the most part, accept the quirks and foibles of this unusual enterprise. We have sown conventionally grown seeds that produce incredible plants in organic growing conditions, and certified organic seeds that have been decidedly disappointing in virtually all growing conditions. We know that “organic" is not necessarily a mark of quality when it comes to seed. However, we are passionate about soil health and human health and have strong feelings about the use of pesticides and herbicides. We will always choose to support certified organic growers whenever it is practical to do so, but we do not choose to make our customers pay a premium for it.