Organic Practices
Organic farming isn’t just about avoiding chemicals; it's about creating a balanced, sustainable system that works with nature. Here’s an overview of the core practices in organic farming and processing.
Organic Agricultural Practices
Building Healthy Soil
Build Soil Quality Naturally
Healthy soil is the foundation of organic farming. Farmers use natural materials like compost and manure to enrich the soil, which helps plants grow strong and healthy.
Stay Away From Prohibited Materials
Substances like sewage sludge and biosolids are prohibited. Instead, practices like cover cropping, mulching, and conservation tillage are used to protect and build the soil over time.
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Protect Soil and Prevent Erosion
Organic farmers use several techniques to keep soil healthy and prevent erosion. Cover cropping, mulching, and conservation tillage help protect and improve soil. Contour plowing and strip cropping are great for keeping the soil in place on sloped land.
Choosing the Right Seeds
Prioritize Organic Seeds
Organic farmers need to plant certified organic seeds. If those aren’t available, it's okay to use conventional seeds, but make sure they haven’t been genetically modified or treated with any chemicals that aren’t allowed in organic farming.
Smart Crop Rotation
Why Rotate Crops?
Rotating different types of crops helps keep pests and diseases at bay, improves soil health, and boosts biodiversity. It’s like giving the land a balanced diet.
How It Works
Farmers change the type of crops they grow in each field every season or year. This practice keeps the soil healthy and fertile, cutting down on the need for chemicals.
Managing Pests, Weeds, and Diseases Naturally
Use PAMS Strategy
This stands for Prevention, Avoidance, Monitoring, and Suppression. Organic farmers rely on these strategies to keep pests and diseases under control.
Protect Your Crops the Natural Way
Farmers use helpful bugs, lay down mulch, and only use approved pesticides when we really need to, to keep their crops healthy and growing strong.
Maintaining Integrity of Organic Crops
Keep Organic Crops Safe
It's important to keep organic crops separate from non-organic ones to prevent contamination. This means setting up buffer zones and thinking carefully about where to plant crops.
Protect Organic Crops from Nearby Chemicals
Farmers work hard to make sure their crops don’t get contaminated by chemicals, like pesticides, from nearby fields.
Guide for Organic Crop Production
The USDA offers a full and comprehensive guide on Organic Crop Production which covers all of these topics in depth. If you are interested in learning more, we highly recommend you check it out. It includes in depth explanations of all these terms as well as checklists to help you on your organic journey.
Organic Livestock and Poultry Production Practices
Happy, Healthy Animals
Healthy Living Conditions
Organic livestock need to be able to go outside, have enough room, and the right kind of shelter to act naturally and stay healthy. It's important that they have good air flow where they live and that they’re kept safe from really bad weather.
Access to Outdoors
All organic livestock and poultry must be able to go outside all year. They can only be kept inside temporarily if there's a clear health or environmental reason for it.
Prioritize Grazing
Cows, sheep, and other ruminants need to graze in the pasture during the grazing season. At least 30% of their food should come from grazing the pasture.
Natural Animal Health
Practice Preventative Care
Oragnic practices prioritize strong genetics, proper nutrition, and calm living conditions for the animals. Preventive healthcare is key to keeping them healthy. Remember, using antibiotics and growth hormones is not allowed.
Use Organic Feed
All the feed and pasture for livestock must be certified organic. Organic farmers make sure that everything they eat, including forages, meets organic standards.
Guide for Organic Livestock Production
The USDA offers a full and comprehensive guide on Organic Livestock Production which covers all of these topics in depth. If you are interested in learning more, we highly recommend you check it out. It includes in depth explanations of all these terms as well as checklists to help you on your organic journey.
Organic Processing Practices
Pure Ingredients
What's Allowed
Processed organic products must contain at least 95% organic ingredients. The remaining 5% can only include non-organic substances from an approved list.
Preventing Mix-Ups
Processors must ensure strict separation of organic and non-organic products to maintain the integrity of organic foods. Equipment must be cleaned and sanitized properly.
Keeping it Clean
Pest Management
In processing facilities, pest management focuses on prevention. Approved synthetic substances are used sparingly and only as a last resort, ensuring they do not compromise the organic status of the product.
Guide for Organic Processors
The USDA offers a full and comprehensive guide for Organic Processors which covers all of these topics in depth. If you are interested in learning more, we highly recommend you check it out. It includes in depth explanations of all these terms as well as checklists to help you on your organic journey.
Organic Certification
Organic certification confirms that farms and facilities meet the USDA's organic standards. This allows products to be labeled and sold as organic. The USDA sets these rules, which explain when and how to use the term "organic" or the USDA organic seal on products like food, feed, or fiber. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) manages these rules with help from a group of advisors and input from the public. This certification shows a dedication to natural and sustainable farming methods.
Transitioning to Organic
Making the Switch
Three-Year Rule
Land must be free from prohibited substances for three years before it can be certified organic.
Getting Help
The USDA offers technical and financial support to help farmers transition to organic practices.
Transitional Production Plans
A Transitional Production Plan (TPP) is a strategy for farms shifting from conventional to organic farming. It's not always required for all certification programs but is often recommended or mandatory for some. The plan maps out how a farm will change its methods over about three years to meet organic standards, getting it ready for official organic certification.
Mentorship Programs
Many farmers who are transitioning to organic find it helpful to get some guidance. The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has a great mentorship program that matches experienced organic farmers with those who are transitioning.
Certification Process
The following is a brief description of the certification process. To get an in-depth understanding of the process visit our GO ORGANIC page.
Step 1.
Choose a Certifying Agency
Pick a USDA accredited certifying agent that fits your needs and they will guide you through the certification process.
Use our certifying database to find the right one for you.
Step 2.
Prepare Application
Complete the application from your chosen certifier. As a part of your application you will need to create an Organic System Plan (OSP).
Step 3.
Submit Application
Send in your application along with any fees you need to pay. A certifying agent will look over your application to make sure your practices follow the USDA organic regulaitons.
Step 4.
On-Site Inspection
An organic inspector will visit your operation to check you practices. They'll make sure what you're doing matches what you've planned in your OSP and follows organic standards.
Step 5.
Final Review
After the inspection, you certifying agent will carefully look at the report and give you a feedback on whether you need to change anything to make sure your practices follow organic rules.
Step 6.
Certification
Your certifying agent issues you your organic certificate.
Ongoing Yearly Compliance
Once certified, operations are inspected annually to ensure they continue to meet organic standards.
To get a more detailed in-depth explanation of the Certification process please visit our GO ORGANIC page
Costs and Assistance
Certification Costs
Transitioning to organic farming can come with several costs, including the price of getting certified. Thankfully, the USDA and other institutions offer support through programs like the Cost Share Program. These can vary, but the USDA’s Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs can reimburse up to 75% of the expenses. Additionally, there are specific programs available to help farmers manage the potential loss of yield during the transition period. These initiatives aim to make the shift to organic farming more manageable and financially sustainable for farmers exploring this path.
Financial Aid
OCCSP - Organic Certification Cost Share Program
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) helps farmers and handlers of organic products pay for their organic certification. Through this program, certified operations can get back up to 75% of what they spent on certification costs for the year, with a maximum of $750 for each type of certification.
EQIP
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is here to help farmers improve their land in environmentally friendly ways. If you’re thinking about switching to organic farming, EQIP offers financial support to cover some of the costs you’ll face during the transition. This includes help with the income you might miss out on while you’re getting your farm certified as organic. By joining EQIP, you can receive both the guidance and funds needed to make your farm more sustainable without feeling the pinch.
EQIP - Advance Payment Option
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) offers an advance payment option to support historically underserved producers with conservation costs. Normally, EQIP reimburses costs after conservation practices are implemented. However, this option allows producers to receive at least 50% of their payment upfront to help cover initial expenses. The advance must be used within 90 days and the conservation practice completed as planned, making it easier for those who might struggle with upfront costs.
By following these practices, farmers and processors can maintain high standards for organic production, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable food system.
