Market Farming

[Steve Diver <steved AT ncat.org>]

Here's the web locations for key items regarding organic
production under the NOP rules.


1.1

This section highlights the Program Standards at USDA's
National Organic Program Web site.

The NOP Regulatory Text item below contains the
§ section-by-section regulatory text that describes
Allowed, Restricted, and Prohibited practices and inputs.

USDA - The National Organic Program
NOP Program Standards
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards.html

NOP Regulatory Text
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/FullRegTextOnly.html


1.2

This section highlights supporting documentation for organic
production in the context of USDA's National Organic
Program, developed by National Center for Appropriate
Technology and it's ATTRA program staff. They were created
to help farmers understand the NOP rules and use
documentation forms to keep records for organic farm inspection.

Organic Farm Certification & the National Organic Program
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/organcert.html

NCAT's Organic Crops Workbook – A Guide to Sustainable and
Allowed Practices
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cropsworkbook.pdf

NCAT's Organic Livestock Workbook – A Guide to Sustainable
and Allowed Practices
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/livestockworkbook.pdf

National Organic Program Compliance Checklist for Producers
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/compliance.pdf

Organic Field Crops Documentation Forms
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/cropforms.html

Organic Livestock Documentation Forms
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/livestockforms.html

Organic Orchard, Vineyard, and Berry Crop Documentation Forms
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/orchardforms.html

Creating an Organic Production and Handling System Plan: A Guide
to Organic Plan Templates
http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/handlingsys.html


1.3

For issues relating to heavy metal contamation, for
example from tires and poultry litter, see:

§ 205.203 Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice
standard

(c) The producer must manage plant and animal materials to
maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner
that does not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or
water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals,
or residues of prohibited substances.


1.4

The vagary of NOP, on the other hand, does not state
what level of arsenic in ppm that occurs in poultry litter
would amount to an unacceptable level. Most poultry
litter from broiler houses contain arsenic, but As levels
can range from 10 ppm to 45 ppm (roughly!). The rate
of application and the number of years it is applied are
other factors that could effect such a determination.

Likewise, the NOP has issues with specific types
of treated lumber for trellising and raised beds and it
would also have issues with tires.

Regards,

Steve Diver
http://www.attra.ncat.org
http://www.ncat.org