organic certification for horticultural crops
TRANSCRIPT
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO CERTIFY YOUR HORTICULTURAL CROPS
How To Go Organic:
Organic Certification: the basicsThe term “Organic” has been federally regulated since 2002
USDA-National Organic Program (NOP) www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOP
The misuse of the “organic” label/term is illegal and subject to penalty
Organic is defined in the rules as “a production system that is managed…to respond to site specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”
Organic Certification: the basics
Growers are certified by a USDA accredited 3rd party organic certification agencyGrowers wishing to become certified must follow the NOP rules and regulations for 3 yrs prior to certification & thereafterCertification must be renewed annually
Organic Certification: the basics, cont.
Organic growers grossing <$5000/yr can opt out of the certification process
must still follow the rules (subject to penalty)!May limit marketing opportunities or reduce market premium
organic and conventional crops can be grown on the same farm but measures must be taken to minimize risk for co-mingling
Certification Costs
Many growers say the cost of certification deters them from becoming certifiedCost share program - contact your state Dept of AgNRCS organic program offers cost share
www.nrcs.usda.gov/PROGRAMS/eqip/organic/index.html
contact your state NRCS to find more info www.nrcs.gov
FINDING A CERTIFIER
Ask local growers who they certify withLook at the list of accredited agencies at NOP site, www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOP
New Farm organic certification siteEnter search criteriacompare 2 organizations characteristics on cost, crops, etc
Thing to look for: certifier location and in which states they certify; crops certified; types of operation certified (crops, livestock, processor, handler)
newfarm.rodaleinstitute.org/ocdbt/
The Certification Process
After selecting a certifier, an application package from that organization must be submittedThe application package is first reviewed to make sure it is completed, and that the applicant is using allowed practices.An on-farm inspection is conducted where the farm fields, harvesting areas, bins, storage, etc is thoroughly reviewedThe package and inspection report are looked at in the complete, final review, to determine approval
What’s in the Application Package?
Documents often found online at certifier websiteOrganic System Plan (OSP) – a complete description of your operation
Practices & procedures for nutrient management, pest management, harvest; conservation plans, irrigation etcMonitoring practices & proceduresFarm maps & record keeping systemList of inputs, labels and how product is usedSteps to prevent contaminationSales records
Organic System PlanExcerpt: www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/OSPtemplates.pdf
Meshing Production Methods with Organic Regulations
No synthetic substances, except those on National ListNo natural substances prohibited on the National ListSeed
1st choice organic seed; 2nd choice conventional seed, untreated or treated with allowable substancesMust document when organic seed is not available in your variety of choice.
Annual seedlings & planting stock1st choice organically grownMust document when not available and get approval to use conventional
Meshing Production Methods with Organic Regulations, cont.
Rotation plan must include a cover crop; maintain or improve organic matter, address pest & nutrient management issuesSoil nutrition must maintain or enhance soil, through crop rotation, cover crop, plant or animal materials without contamination
Other presentations in this website cover production methods in greater detail
Meshing Production Methods with Organic Regulations, cont.
Raw manure should be applied 120 prior to harvest to crop where edible portion comes in contact with soil, or 90 prior to harvest when the edible portion does not have contact with soil
Food safety issues
Compost – ok to apply at any time if compost was made in accordance to NOP standards
C:N ratio of 15:1 to 60:1minimum of 131F for minimum of 3 dayspile/windrow must be turned so that that all materials reach tempmust be cured or aged
Meshing Production Methods with Organic Regulations, cont.
Pest management issues, including insects, diseases, weeds should be addressed with • Crop rotation & nutrient management • Cultural practices including sanitation, variety selection,
biological control, farmscaping, traps, etc• Inputs should be used as a last resort. • Approved substances can be found on the National List
and OMRI (omri.org).• Check with your certifier if you have
questions
For More Information
USDA-NOP websitewww.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOP
Small Scale Organics: A Guide Book For the Non-certified Organic Grower
www.kerrcenter.com/publications/small-scale-organics.pdf
NCAT-ATTRAwww.attra.ncat.org/organic.html
Fundamentals of Organic Gardening and Farmingwww.georgiaorganics.org/curriculum/index.html
Organic Research & Extension informationwww.eorganic.info
Acknowledgements
This presentation address general organic production practices. It is to be to use in planning and conducting organic horticulture trainings. The presentation is part of project funded by a Southern SARE PDP titled “Building Organic Agriculture Extension Training Capacity in the Southeast”Project Collaborators• Elena Garcia, University of Arkansas CES
Heather Friedrich, University of ArkansasObadiah Njue, University of Arkansas at Pine BluffJeanine Davis, North Carolina State UniversityGeoff Zehnder, Clemson UniversityCharles Mitchell, Auburn UniversityRufina Ward, Alabama A&M UniversityKen Ward, Alabama A&M UniversityKaren Wynne, Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network