the organic option stacy burwick tennessee crop improvement association
TRANSCRIPT
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
Stacy BurwickTN Crop [email protected]
Paul NordstromTennessee Dept. of Ag.Market Development [email protected]
O.C.I.A.Organic Crop Improvement Asso.402-477-2323www.ocia.org
OMRIOrganic Materials ReviewInstitute541-343-7600
IOIAIndependent Organic InspectorsAssociation406-439-2031www.IOIA.org
QAIQuality Assurance International858-792-3531www.qai-inc.com
Arkansas Certified OrganicAnne [email protected]
FOGFlorida Organic Growers352-377-6345www.foginfo.com
TOGATN Aorganic Growers AlliancePeggy Lynn Marchetti615-851-8867www.tennesseeorganicgrowers.com