The Basis for National Standards Organic Foods Production Act - part of the 1990 Farm Bill USDA appoints National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) NOSB completes recommendations.

The Basis for National Standards USDA publishes first proposed rule March, 2000 – USDA’s 2nd proposed rule December, 2000 – USDA’s Final Rule October 21, 2002 – Final Rule implemented

USDA Seal

Number of Certified Organic Operations

U.S. Certified Organic Acres % - 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 millionPasture/Range – 1.0 million

U.S. Organic Sector Trends

% of US Crops Organically Grown Herbs 33% Lettuce 5% Carrots 4% Millet 4% Apples 3%

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

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 Standards Soil fertility, Crop rotation Seed and planting stock, Pest management Livestock 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 sludge most 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 crop Mulch in tree row Compost late summer, early spring Foliar Cu, Zn, B, fish Monitoring: 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 anic/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 Requirements Organic Livestock Plan. Mandatory Record keeping. Monitoring of management practices. Slaughter animals must be managed organically from last third of gestation. Poultry must be organic from second day after hatching.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued) Dairy cows must be organic for 1 year, except: New herd clause – 80% organic feed for 9 months, then 100% organic feed for 3 months. Animals cannot be rotated between organic and non-organic production.

Basic Livestock Requirements (continued) Feed must be 100% organic. Approved vitamin and mineral 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% Organic 2.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 Inspections Organic System Plan Meets NOP requirements Implemented Records: Material Application records Invoices of materials purchased Seed purchases Sales and yield records

Annual Inspections Field inspection of crops, livestock, storage areas, processing lines, border areas, etc. Samples for pesticide residues Unannounced 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 Organic Materials Review Institute Organic Trade Association USDA Economic Research Service

Useful Web Sites (cont’d) Organic Farming Research Foundation Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas New Farm magazine