Farmers need to be aware of the limitations of the National List when it applies to farm inputs. Producers may only use substances listed for crop use on crops. For example, phosphoric acid is permitted in livestock sanitation, but not as a fertilizer. A material listed for a specific use is restricted to that use, […]
Category: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Should an organic farmer plan on what inputs to use in the coming year?
Organic farmers should anticipate production needs and determine the practices and inputs needed to achieve that production. All fertilizers and pesticides that a farmer intends to use over a season must be included in the farm plan. In all cases, a certified farmer should have any products used on the farm are approved by his/her […]
Who determines if a specific product is acceptable for use on an organic farm?
In most cases, the certification agencies determine whether or not the use of a given input on an farm complies with organic standards.
What is the National List?
The National List contains the allowed synthetic and prohibited natural (non-synthetic) substances that are exceptions to the general rule for organic production. It is not a comprehensive list of all approved materials, rather it can be described as an “open” list since it contains only 1) synthetic materials allowed for use in crop and livestock […]
What farm inputs are allowed and what materials are prohibited in organic production?
In general, the NOP allows natural (non-synthetic) substances and prohibits synthetic substances, unless they appear on the National List.
How does an Organic Systems Management Plan relate to soil management?
Farmers are required to demonstrate that they use appropriate tillage and cultivation practices without negative impacts on soil structure, and manage crop nutrients and fertility using crop rotations, cover corps, and application of organic materials. There is also a requirement that soil organic matter be maintained or improved in a manner that does not contaminate […]
What is an Organic Systems Management Plan?
Organic certification requires an Organic Systems Management Plan, also known as an Organic Farm Plan or Organic Handling Plan. These documents identify who is responsible for the organic operation and describe the management and recordkeeping practices to monitor implementation of that plan. The plan serves as a contract between the operator and the certifier. Most […]
Must organic farmers use organic seeds?
The NOP Rule requires that organically produced and handled seeds be planted when such seed is commercially available for the variety. Annual transplants must always be organically grown unless the Secretary of Agriculture in response to a natural disaster or other major interruption issues a temporary variance. All seed used in organic production must be […]
What are the penalties for misuse of the term “organic?”
Any operation that knowingly sells or labels an agricultural product as “organic,” not in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act and the National Organic Standards may be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 per violation and criminal sanctions based on violation of Federal laws governing fraud and false statements.
How does a farm get certified?
The operator obtains and reads the National Organic Standards, and conducts a self-assessment to see if the operation meets these requirements in terms of land history, production practices, materials used and recordkeeping procedures. In many cases, some practices and systems need to be modified to comply. Once an operation complies, the operator then selects an […]