The Organic Option

1. The Organic Option Stacy Burwick Tennessee Crop Improvement Association

2. The Organic Option • Products that can be grown or processed organically will be displayed throughout presentation.

3. The Organic Option • Why am I here? • TLSA folded in 2000 • Tennessee Land Stewardship Association • Previous certifying agent for TN • TN Dept. of AG asked T.C.I.A to take over • Trained by IOIA in Aug 01 • Independent Organic Inspectors Association • Livestock and farm training

4. Who Makes The Rules • USDA’s Agricultural Marketing group made the rules for the National Organic Program (NOP) • The NOP’s rules are in the Federal Register • 7 CFR Part 205, Final Rule • This will be effective October 2002

5. Who Makes theRules • In order for a crop to qualify for the “organic” label, it must be produced according to NOP guidelines. • This program makes no food safety or quality claims. It simply provides a set of production standards that will enable the product to carry the “organic” label

6. Organic Content Designations • 100 Percent Organic • All ingredients must be certified “Organic” by a designated certifying agency • (may use USDA and/or certifier seal)

7. Organic Content Designations • Organic • Must contain at least 95 percent organic products. Remaining 5 percent must be non-organic substances allowed on the National List • *(may use USDA and/or certifier seal)

8. Organic Content Designations • Made with Organic (ingredients) • Must be at least 70 percent certified organic • The remaining 30 percent must not contain any genetically modified product • (may use certifier seal)

9. USDA Seal Certifier Seal

10. Starting The Certification Process • Apply to a certifying agent • FOG, QAI, OCIA, Oregon-Tilth • FOG Currently certifying most of state • AOSCA will be accredited by Dept. of AG • (Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies) • Certification Body (CB) reviews application • Asks farmer for corrections or additional information if needed. • CB sends application to Inspector

11. The Certification Process • Inspector either accepts or denies inspection • Inspector may not have any conflict of interest • If accepted • Inspector will call and set up appointment • Hopefully coordinate others to cut costs • Review application and request additional info

12. Farm Certification • Inspector will come to your farm • Review application and supporting documents • Take an overall tour of farm • Water • Fields • Storage • Packaging • Equipment • Transportation • Adjoining Land • Buffers

13. Farm Certification • Inspector will review farm audit trail • Orderly Paperwork = Less Time = Less Costs • Farm should have paperwork for: • Field Maps • Field History Sheets • Activity Log • Input Records • Harvest Records • Storage Records • Sales Records • Labeling • Audit trail is 60% of inspection

14. Livestock Certification • Same as farm inspection • Will inspect as farm if you raise your own feed or hay • Will look at more areas: • Condition of animals • Feed • Pasture • Housing • Milk handling • Handling for slaughter • Animal identification system

15. Livestock Certification • The audit trail must include same information as farm, plus: • Source of animal records • Animal health records • Breeding records • Organic feed purchase records • Manure management records

16. Farming Organically • Comply with NOP • Establish, implement, and update annually an organic production or handling system plan that is submitted to an accredited certifying agent • Permit on site inspections with complete access to the organic and non-certified production and handling areas • Maintain all records for not less than 5 years and allow appropriate officials to access such records

17. Farming Organically • Practice Organic Farming • 36 months before certifiable • Can farm organically before you apply • Maintain required records • Know your source of organic inputs • Inform neighbor farms • Look up everything in the OMRI list

18. Farming Organically • Seed Sources • Use untreated seed* • No GMO’s whatsoever • No GMO corn around (wind pollinated) • Weed control • Mechanical • Biological

19. Farming Organically • Crop Pest, weed and disease management. • Mechanical or physical methods • Crop rotation • Soil and crop nutrient management practices • Soil fertility management • Crop rotation • Cover crops • Organic inputs

20. Farming Organically • Addition of plant and animal material • Manure must be composted • C:N Ratio between 25:1 and 40:1 • 131° and 170° for 5 days • static aerated pile system or in-vessel • 131° and 170° for 15 days • windrow composting system

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

22. RaisingLivestockOrganically • 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. • Feed must be 100% organic • Approved vitamin and mineral supplements are allowed • Methionine allowed until October 21, 2005

23. RaisingLivestockOrganically • Ruminants must have access to pasture • All animals must have access to outdoors • Feeding animal by-products is prohibited • 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

24. Certification Costs • Paperwork is 60% of inspection • Can cut inspection costs if in order • Farm inspection runs 3-4 hours • Livestock runs 3-5 hours • Must re-certify on yearly basis • 9 mo. To keep organic status in case of hold up

25. Certification Costs • Certification runs between $300-$600 • This is application and inspection fees • Inspector will run an average of $40 / hr plus expenses and mileage. • To cut costs: • Make sure all paperwork is in order • Designate this time for inspection only • We will try to do inspections together to cut mileage and expenses

26. Residue Analysis • Certifying agent may require pre- or post-harvest testing when there is reason to believe that organic products have come in contact with prohibited substances or GMOs. • Residue levels must not exceed 5% of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s tolerance level for the specific substance. • No tolerance levels yet established for GMO contamination.

27. Certification Costs • No need to certify • If gross agricultural income is less than $5,000 annually

28. Problem areas • Initial production costs skyrocket • Will come down when you get into rhythm • Find out what works in your area • Labor and machine costs are main problem • More trips over the fields • Logistics • Lower yields

29. What’s in it for me? • Better market prices • Fruits cheaper in Plateau • Grains cheaper in West Tennessee • Vegetables same statewide • Cheaper at organic farmer markets • Organic crops generally receive double • Processed goods usually a third higher • Prices vary with region

30. Organic Contacts