The National Organic Standards implemented in 2002 require that organic farmers use certified organic seed, unless it is not “commercially available.” This requirement has proven to be especially difficult for highly diversified farms that grow a wide range of crops. With multinational consolidation of the seed industry, the relatively small demand for organic seed does not provide enough incentive for most seed companies to develop and maintain organic lines. The small but growing U.S. organic seed industry faces both challenges and remarkable opportunities. Potential exists to create a vital organic seed industry that meets the needs of organic farmers for a broad array of crop varieties that have been selected and tested under certified organic conditions. Land grant researchers can support these efforts by working with organic farmers to identify desirable characteristics for organic crops; breeding varieties for optimal performance under organic management; trialing these varieties on organically managed research land; and researching seed treatments that are compatible with the Organic Standards. General organic crop breeding goals include: disease and insect resistance; good yield in a biologically diverse system; ability to compete with weeds; compatibility with intercrops; good response to organic fertility sources. All research targeted at improving organic crop production will also benefit seed producers by solving problems that may interfere with seed production. Models of effective organic breeding programs already exist. Stephen Jones and his team at Washington State Univ. have established an organic wheat breeding program that is conducted on-farm and on 11 certified organic acres at a research station. Molly Jahn is leading a major organic vegetable breeding project at Cornell. Grain varieties have been trialed under organic conditions in Minnesota and North Dakota. Much more work needs to be done to help organic farmers meet the requirement for organic seed.