The Basis for National The Basis for National StandardsStandards

1990 - Organic Foods Production Act 1990 - Organic Foods Production Act - part of the 1990 Farm Bill.- part of the 1990 Farm Bill.

1992 - USDA appoints National 1992 - USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

1996 - NOSB completes 1996 - NOSB completes recommendations.recommendations.

The Basis for National The Basis for National StandardsStandards

1997 - USDA publishes first 1997 - USDA publishes first proposed ruleproposed rule

March, 2000 – USDA’s 2nd proposed March, 2000 – USDA’s 2nd proposed rulerule

December, 2000 – USDA’s Final RuleDecember, 2000 – USDA’s Final Rule

October 21, 2002 – Final Rule October 21, 2002 – Final Rule implementedimplemented

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop

USDA Seal

Number of Certified Organic Operations

U.S. Certified Organic Acres - 2001

36% - Grain

16% - Beans

3% - Oilseeds

19% - Hay

6% - Vegetables

4% - Fruit

1% - Herb/nursery

15% - other

Total – 2.34 million (0.3% of US total)

Crop – 1.3 million Pasture/Range – 1.0 million

U.S. Organic Sector Trends

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1992 1994 1996 1998 2000

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US Organic Sales US Organic Acres

% of US Crops Organically Grown

Herbs 33%

Lettuce 5%

Carrots 4%

Millet 4%

Apples 3%

NOP definition of “organic NOP definition of “organic production”production”

““A production system that is A production system that is managed … to respond to site-managed … to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.”balance, and conserve biodiversity.”

NOSB Principles of Organic Production:

Optimize soil biological activity

Maintain long-term fertility

Minimize soil erosion

Maintain or enhance the genetic and biological diversity of the production system and its surroundings

NOSB Principles of Organic Production

(continued):Utilize production methods and breeds or varieties that are well adapted to the region

Recycle materials of plant and animal origin in order to return nutrients to the land, thus minimizing the use of non-renewable resources

NOSB Principles of Organic Production

(continued):Minimize pollution of soil, water, and air; and

Become established through a period of conversion (transition), during which no prohibited materials are applied and an organic plan is implemented.

National Organic Program requirements

Practice StandardsSoil fertility, Crop rotationSeed and planting stock, Pest

managementLivestock origin, living conditions,

feed, health care

National Organic Program requirements

36 months of no prohibited materials - no genetically modified organisms (GMO’s)no irradiation or sewage sludgemost synthetic fertilizers and pesticides

prohibited

Adequate buffers to prevent contamination

Distinct, defined boundaries of fields

Seeds and Planting Stock

Organic seeds/planting stock required.If organic seeds not available then untreated seeds may be used.Seeds treated with synthetic pesticides are prohibited (e.g. captan, thiram).Annual seedlings must be organic.

Mixed Vegetables

Soil building crop rotation, winter cover crop

Compost addition

Other soil amendments (lime, rock phosphate, bloodmeal)

Foliar feed

Monitoring: yields, soil test every 3 yr, calculate rough N budget

Tree Fruit

Orchard floor cover cropMulch in tree rowCompost late summer, early springFoliar Cu, Zn, B, fishMonitoring: e.g. annual leaf analysis, observe vigor, soil moisture monitoring

Materials

Materials may only be used in compliance with practice standards

Natural materials allowed unless prohibited

Synthetics prohibited unless approved

Fertilizers

Manure

Compost

Rock Minerals - lime, rock phosphate

Fish meal, emulsion

Blood meal and bone meal

Pest Control

Bt - Bacillus thuringiensis

Botanical insecticides - rotenone, neem, pyrethrum

Sulfur

Copper sulfate, copper hydroxide

Pheromones

Insecticidal soap

Dormant oils

Lists of approved materials

Organic Materials Review Institute

omri.org

Washington State Department of Agriculture

http://www.wa.gov/agr/FoodAnimal/Organic/MaterialsLists.htm

NOSB Principles of Organic Livestock Production:

Harmonious relationship between land, plants, and livestock; and

Respect for the physiological and behavioral needs of livestock;

NOP Basic Livestock NOP Basic Livestock RequirementsRequirements

Organic Livestock Plan.Organic Livestock Plan.Mandatory Record keeping.Mandatory Record keeping.Monitoring of management practices.Monitoring of management practices.Slaughter animals must be managed Slaughter animals must be managed organically from last third of organically from last third of gestation.gestation.Poultry must be organic from second Poultry must be organic from second day after hatching.day after hatching.

Basic Livestock Requirements Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)(continued)

Dairy cows must be organic for 1 Dairy cows must be organic for 1 year, except:year, except:

New herd clause – 80% organic New herd clause – 80% organic feed for 9 months, then 100% feed for 9 months, then 100% organic feed for 3 months.organic feed for 3 months.

Animals cannot be rotated between Animals cannot be rotated between organic and non-organic production.organic and non-organic production.

Basic Livestock Requirements Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)(continued)

Feed must be 100% organic.Feed must be 100% organic.

Approved vitamin and mineral Approved vitamin and mineral supplements are allowed.supplements are allowed.

Feeding animal by-products is prohibited.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)

Ruminants must have access to pasture.

All animals must have access to outdoors.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)

Operator must implement preventative health care practices.

Physical alterations are allowed, provided that they are done to promote the animal’s welfare and stress is minimized.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)

Antibiotics and growth hormones are prohibited.

Parasiticides are prohibited for slaughter stock and tightly regulated for dairy and breeding stock.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued)

Operator must not withhold treatment in order to preserve an animal’s organic status.

Manure must be managed to prevent contamination of crops, water, and soil.

Handling

Pest Management

Commingling and containers

Post harvest materials, processing aids, food contact substances

Labels

Four categories of organic labeling

1. 100% Organic2. Organic (95% - 100% organic)3. Made with organic

(70% - 95% organic ingredients)4. Less than 70% organic ingredients

Certified Organic by the WSDA

Organic Certification

Application

Inspection

Document review

Certification

Application

Organic System Plan

Field history

Maps

Labels

Product formulation

Fees

Annual InspectionsOrganic System Plan

Meets NOP requirementsImplemented

Records:Material Application recordsInvoices of materials purchasedSeed purchasesSales and yield records

Annual Inspections

Field inspection of crops, livestock, storage areas, processing lines, border areas, etc.

Samples for pesticide residuesUnannounced inspections

Exemptions

Small farms with under $5,000 in organic sales

Retail food stores

Handlers that do not process or package product (e.g. grocery distributors, warehouses)

Organic System Plans

1.Practices and procedures

2.Materials

3. Monitoring techniques

4. Records

5. Practices used to prevent contamination or commingling (e.g. buffer zones, labeling)

Useful Web Sites

USDA National Organic Program http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/index.htmOrganic Materials Review Institute www.omri.orgOrganic Trade Association

www.ota.comUSDA Economic Research Service http://www.ers.usda.gov/data/organic/

Useful Web Sites (cont’d)

Organic Farming Research Foundation http://www.ofrf.org/

Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas http://www.attra.ncat.org/

New Farm magazine

www.newfarm.org