The Organic Option Stacy Burwick Tennessee Crop Improvement Association

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

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

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

Who Makes the Rules –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

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

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)

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)

USDA Seal Certifier Seal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Raising Livestock Organically 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

Raising Livestock Organically 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

Raising Livestock Organically 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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Organic Contacts