In This Issue
ED Corner. . . . . . . . . . . .
Processing: Pots . . . . . . .
Crop: Atmospheric
Controls. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Livestock:
Chlorhexidine. . . . . . . .
New Staff. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Calendar. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Materials
review
News and Information for the Organic Community
Into the Future of Inputs
What are we expecting in the next 5-10 years?
By Matt Sircely
F
or this issue, we invited all suppliers of OMRI Listed® products to volunteer for interviews about what they’re seeing in their own corner of the industry. The resulting
anecdotes from the front lines of the organic movement suggest
broader implications of where the industry appears to be
headed, adding character and inspiration to the story
that we’re all helping to create every single day.
Respondents spoke of standardization across
international borders, detailed their plans for
expansion, and noted the increasing trend of
conventional growers incorporating organic
inputs into their fertilization regime. Naturally, they also mentioned the centrality of
the OMRI label to their success. But the
most noticeable common thread was the
insistence that organics is holding its own
through the prolonged economic downturn,
and seems poised for more growth in various
sectors.
Anne LaBelle and her husband started Mighty
Grow Organics in Fruitdale, Alabama, with the simple
dream of replenishing agricultural soils with trace minerals
to allow plants to “meet their full genetic potential.” But standalone
Anne LaBelle
of Mighty
trace minerals proved a tough sell in the Deep South, so they now blend
Grow Organics
them into a processed chicken manure fertilizer, receiving their first OMRI
listing earlier this year. Regional sales have been strong, prompting the company to conInputs continued on page 3
OMRI Canada!
2
4
4
5
6
8
Fall 2013
Policy Developments
Regulatory updates that
affect materials review
By Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador
Categories for Anaerobic
Digestate Products
I
n response to the growing anaerobic digestion industry, and to accommodate applicant requests,
OMRI has created two new
categories to differentiate anaerobic digestate products.
For those products that
are made with plant materials only (e.g., no manure) and that meet OMRI’s pathogen standards,
there will be an “Allowed”
status under the category
Anaerobic Digestate – plant
materials. For those products
containing animal materials (e.g.,
manure, fish, meat by-products),
there is an “Allowed with Restrictions” status under the category Anaerobic Digestate – plant and animal
materials. The restriction details specific guidelines that producers must
Policy continued on page 3
Now offering review to Canadian Standards for products currently OMRI Listed®
Visit OMRI.ORG/OMRI-CANADA for details
ED C
NER
OR
MRO Accreditation Needed
By Peggy Miars
aterial
Review
Organization,
or MRO, wasn’t a title
used until a few years
ago when the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB) began
discussing criteria for MROs, as well as
criteria for conducting material review.
Public comment from OMRI and others
supported the concept of the National
Organic Program (NOP) having official
oversight of MROs. In fact, the NOSB
voted unanimously at their May 2012
meeting to direct the NOP to 1) create
an accreditation program for MROs and
2) establish criteria for MROs so that
material review would be conducted consistently regardless of which Accredited
Certification Agent (ACA) or MRO did
the review. This decision was welcomed
because ACAs and MROs do not always
agree with each other’s decisions, in part
due to differing criteria used in the review
process.
At that time, Miles McEvoy, Deputy
Administrator of the NOP, was unsure if
the NOP had legal authority to accredit
MROs. After researching the matter, he
reported that he believed the NOP was
not given that authority under the Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA).
the existing language for ACA accreditation. A new section to OFPA on MRO
accreditation was briefly discussed with
a few key legislators, but the Farm Bill
process did not allow room for such an
amendment.
With the future of the Farm Bill unclear,
but some language passed through both
the House and Senate, it seems that our
window of opportunity may have closed.
The question now is how and when can
we give NOP the authority to accredit
MROs? I understand that getting this legislation passed outside the Farm Bill process is a Sisyphean effort. Will we not see
success for another five years when – or if
– the Farm Bill comes around again?
Just as the organic industry voluntarily
sought regulatory oversight in the 1990s,
OMRI welcomes this opportunity for increased oversight by the NOP. Consistent
criteria will create a level playing field for
MROs and those who produce inputs
for organic production. OMRI remains a
neutral organization that does not advocate for particular materials or processes.
Rather, our role is to explain how certain
decisions could affect the marketplace. In
this instance, however, OMRI intends to
advocate for this oversight, since consistent criteria would contribute to OMRI’s
mission of ensuring organic integrity.
Action
Next Steps
Armed with that analysis and the unanimous vote of the NOSB, the Organic Trade
Association (OTA) began working earlier
this year to consider ways to provide the
NOP a legal pathway to accredit MROs.
Because the Farm Bill debate was underway, the OTA considered supporting an
amendment to the Farm Bill to grant NOP
clear authority to accredit MROs. OMRI,
the only MRO in North America that
is not an ACA, was asked to review and
edit draft amendment language, which we
did. The proposed language would have
amended OFPA predominantly mirroring
The NOP recently released Revised Policy Memo 11-4 addressing disagreements
on materials between MROs and ACAs.
The NOP will now arbitrate any differences in material review decisions.
As OTA considers other legislative vehicles moving forward, they will reach out
to additional stakeholders to give input
to this process. OMRI believes this effort
will help to ensure the integrity of input
materials used in organic production and
processing. OMRI will continue to participate in this critical discussion and will
provide updates as details change.
Background
M
2
OMRI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
created to benefit the organic community and
the general public. Its mission is to provide
professional, independent, and transparent
review of materials and processes to determine
their suitability for producing, processing, and
handling organic food and fiber.
Board of Directors
Officers:
Chair: John Ashby
Vice-Chair: Gwendolyn Wyard
Secretary: Bill Stoneman
Treasurer: Bob Scott
Members:
Brett Bakker; Tina Ellor; Jim Koan;
Meg McGrath, Ph.D.; Mary Mulry, Ph.D.;
Paul Sachs; Jennifer Scott; Eric Sideman, Ph.D.;
“Coach” Mark Smallwood; and Jackie Townsend
Staff
Executive Director/CEO: Peggy Miars
Program Director: Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador
Operations Director: Eliza Kashinsky
IT Director: Brian Basor
Marketing Manager: Amy Bradsher
Quality Manager: Krista Wanser
Review Program Administrative Manager:
Kelsey McKee
Review Program Technical Manager:
Andria Schulze
Product Review Coordinators: Doug Currier,
Cameron Ference, Taryn Kennedy, Ana Negrete, Tara Sistrunk, Jason Stein
Inspections Coordinator: Amber Lippert
Project Assistants: Tina Jensen-Augustine,
Daniel Nguyen
Application Specialist: Sara Nienaber
Review Program Assistants: Tony Selvey,
Sarah Shmigelsky and Jessica Southwick
Renewals Coordinator: Cindy Coachman
Software Programmer: Tim Sawyer
IT Specialist: Todd Ziglinski
Marketing Assistant: Nancy Henderson
Bookkeeper: Melody Carr
Administrative Supervisor: Blyss Hansen
Administrative Specialist: Ginger Morton
OMRI Materials Review is published quarterly by
OMRI. Volume 15, Issue 4. Except for reprinted or
copyrighted articles, subscribers may reprint OMRI
articles, provided that OMRI is given as the source.
Reasonable efforts are made to provide useful and
accurate information, but the editors and OMRI
cannot assume any liability for errors or omissions.
Design: Slub Design, www.slubdesign.com
OMRI
P.O. Box 11558
Eugene, OR 97440-3758, USA
P: 541.343.7600 • F: 541.343.8971
www.omri.org • [email protected]
OMRI Materials Review
Inputs continued from page 1
sider expanding its production model to
the north and west into Mississippi, while
discontinuing a synthetic/organic blend
due to slack demand.
In the Deep South, LaBelle explains, it’s
not uncommon to run across people who
think that organics is just ‘hocus-pocus’.
But she tirelessly works to promote the
virtues of building soil, reaching out to
conventional growers in what is essentially the American organic frontier. “It’s
a great place to be,” she says. “The whole
organic movement has started picking up
momentum, but it’s going to just run away
like crazy. It has to because we can’t keep
doing what we’ve been doing.”
All of the interview volunteers shared a
positive outlook. “You can feel the market
growing. Orders are increasing quickly,”
says Keith Freeman of Ring Organic, who
mines and processes materials like bat and
seabird guano in Indonesia before importing to California. Most of his commercial
soil blend customers underestimated consumer demand and are now scrambling
to reorder. “It points toward very rapid
growth in the demand for organic fertilizer,” he says. “I think this kind of activity
bodes well for our whole industry.”
Jim Brackins of Pacific Gro, LLC, a
manufacturer of cold-processed liquid
fish, shrimp and crab fertilizer in Western
Washington, also confirms the movement.
“I see a trend toward increasing sales. From
my level, I see more activity this year than
I’ve seen in the last three or four years, and
it’s spread across the spectrum of farmers,
conventional as well as organic. So it’s my
opinion that the base of the organic program is increasing.”
John Weiss of Unlimited Renewables,
LLC, produces Chickity Doo Doo™ from
composted chicken manure in Lake Mills,
Wisconsin. “We’re actually short product.
Demand is exceeding our supply.” Their
process is simple, and the final product is
low moisture, enabling shipping as far away
as California, though most goes locally to
support livestock feed growers. And pricing at under $10 per 25-pound bag has
Fall 2013
garnered attention in Midwestern chain
stores and in successful trials with larger
national chains. “There are chicken farms
in every location, so we have the ability to
cut down on freight and build into a distribution model, whether or not it involves
some of these larger chains,” he says.
“The concentration now is rather staggering,” Weiss continues, listing the myriad of problems caused by poor manure
management. “A million-chicken farm is
now considered small by industry standards. All of these chickens produce manure on a daily basis, and it has to go somewhere. The cheapest way is just to put it on
the field next to the farm and forget about
it. And that’s run its course.”
In contrast, Brackins’ company’s decisions are driven more by the growing
limitations on fish supply from processing
facilities. Pet food industry buyers have
cornered the fish waste market, installing
grinders and freezers onsite, and paying
ten-fold what Brackins did when he started. But crab and shrimp are not sourced
by the pet food industry. They work well
as liquid fertilizers, and supply is steady,
he says.
One Canadian company has asked
Brackins to help start a hydrolysate plant
on Vancouver Island. Simultaneously, he
is engaged in discussions to open a new
facility near Mazatlan on Mexico’s Pacific Coast. Most of the Mexican product,
Brackins says, would go to local conventional growers: “They want more efficiency out of their existing fertilizer regimen.
But they’re also starting to realize that they
have mined the soil; because of all the conventional fertilizers they’ve used over the
past 50 or 60 years, their soils are starting
to go bad.” Larger conventional growers
are ready to make the investment, he says.
Recently, wheat growers in Ontario approached him about the prospect of dribbling liquid fish during planting: “They’re
trying to find a way to rebuild their soil a
little bit at a time,” he says, noting that six
or seven years ago, he never would have received that call.
Inputs continued on page 6
Policy continued from page 1
follow when using products that contain
raw manure.
CDFA Updates
OMRI has reported in several newsletter
issues about the process that the California Department of Food and Agriculture
(CDFA) has undergone to develop the
Organic Input Material (OIM) registration
program. In the last year, CDFA has registered products making claims about use in
organic production (including the use of
the OMRI seal) in California, and has conducted inspections at those facilities that
are physically located in California. Early in
the development of this program, the National Organic Program (NOP) published
a letter to CDFA1 stating that “the approval
of the California SOP [State Organic Program] by NOP does not include oversight
of the OIM program.”
The NOP defined criteria for CDFA’s
OIM program to be approved by the NOP,
which include obtaining ISO 65 accreditation, allowing NOP access to records, and
establishing procedures for appeals and
resolving disagreements with other organizations. However, the NOP has stated
that CDFA is not yet a recognized third
party that certifiers may consult in making
decisions about input approval. At a recent meeting regarding the OIM program,
CDFA staff reported that they will pursue
ISO 65 accreditation in the next year.
Meanwhile, OMRI and CDFA do consult with each other on issues or disagreements between our two organizations.
This has resulted in some amicable resolutions that have prevented disruption to the
organic industry.
Recently, the California SOP sent a letter to certifiers that operate in California
that a product called ‘Diffusion’ was not
registered by the OIM program, and therefore not permitted for use on organic farms
in California. This product is not currently,
nor was it ever OMRI Listed. On August
6, 2013, the NOP re-published the revised
Policy continued on page 7
3
P R OC
M ATE R I AL S Q & A
IN
ESS G
Biodegradable, Plantable Pots
By Tara Sistrunk
What materials can be used to make
plantable pots?
S
CROP
tarting seedlings in
plantable pots is a
viable option for farmers and gardeners alike.
These pots can shorten
the time needed to get
plants into the field or garden, and can
prevent stress to the plant that would normally occur when they are transplanted to
larger pots. Some plantable pots also contain nutrients that may benefit the plant in
the early stages of development.
In order to use plantable pots like these in
National Organic Program (NOP) organic
production, the pots must comply with
the NOP Rule, which means they must be
made of ingredients that are nonsynthetic
or allowed synthetics. Some examples
of nonsynthetic materials used in biode-
gradeable pots are wood shavings, peat
moss, coco coir, and even nutrients such
as manure, compost or micronutrients.
Certain synthetic ingredients, such as
micronutrients, newspaper and recycled
paper, are also allowed per the NOP Rule
at §205.601. For the Canada Organic Regime (COR) Standards, only ingredients
found on CAN/CGSB-32.311 Table 4.2
and 4.3 can be used. A soil test may be
required by your certifier to determine if
these micronutrients are needed, per NOP
Rule §205.601 (j)(6) or CAN/CGSB32.310 Para. 5.4.4.
Newspaper or other recycled paper,
without glossy or colored inks, are synthetics that are allowed as mulch under
the NOP Rule at §205.601(b)(2)(i), and
as compost feedstocks at §205.601(c).
Because biodegradable mulch can be incorporated into the soil, and the pot will
compost in the ground, compliant forms
of paper can also be used in biodegradable
pots. However, synthetic glues or other
additives not listed at §205.601 or CAN/
CGSB-32.311 Table 4.3, cannot be used.
These include adhesives made from synthetic forms of lignin or cellulose.
Pots made of synthetic fibers can not
be used in organic production if there is
a possibility of the roots growing through
them and otherwise absorbing components of the pot. Plastic pots that are not
meant to be planted in the ground, or that
have roots growing through them, are allowed if they do not violate the NOP Rule
at §205.105 or CAN/CGSB-32.310 Para.
1.4.1, which indicate prohibited practices.
OMRI considers non-biodegradable plastic pots that will not serve as part of the
transplant media to be a device and thus,
out of scope for input review.
Organic operations should always
check with the certifying agent prior to
using any biodegradable or nonbiodegradable pot.
S
Atmospheric Controls
By Taryn Kennedy
What products can I use to control
the atmosphere around my organic
produce?
A
tmospheric control
is an important factor in the preservation of
produce that is used during shipping and storage
in order to delay ripening, extend shelf life, or
prevent decay. Atmospheric composition
4
is crucial to fruits and vegetables, because
they “breathe” or respire as they mature,
consuming oxygen (O2) and producing
carbon dioxide (CO2) and a hormone
called ethylene. Ethylene induces ripening, causing the produce to soften and
shortening shelf life. In the enclosed space
of an unventilated container, produce can
quickly change the atmosphere, reversing
the normal levels of O2 and CO2. Adjusting the balance of these gases or reducing
the amount of ethylene in the container
can thwart the effects of post harvest
pathogens, decay, or insect infestation.
There are a number of viable approaches
to modifying the atmosphere of shipping
or storage containers, including the addition of inert gases, ethylene absorbents
and filters, or breathable packaging materials. A modified atmosphere is created by
altering the normal composition of air to
provide an optimum atmosphere for increasing the storage length and quality of
produce.
OMRI Materials Review
LIVES
TOCK
Chlorhexidine
By Jason Stein
hlorhexidine is a
synthetic molecule
that when dry appears
as a pale yellow, odorless
powder. It is usually dissolved at a concentration
of 0.5-2% in glycerine and alcohol when
prepared for use. The NOP guideline at
§205.238(b) and (c)(2) requires that synthetic drugs on the National List cannot
be used in the absence of illness, and only
when preventive practices and veterinary
biologics are inadequate to prevent sickness. Under the NOP Rule at §205.603(a)
(6) it is allowed for use as a teat dip when
alternative germicidal agents and/or physical barriers have lost their effectiveness,
and for surgical procedures conducted by
a veterinarian. Chlorhexidine is believed
to work as a disinfectant by disrupting the
cell membranes of bacteria, which results
in cell death1.
This molecule, though going by a single
name in the NOP Rule, has more than one
allowed form, generally as different salts.
The only allowed forms of chlorhexidine
include: chlorhexidine, chlorhexidine
diacetate, chlorhexidine gluconate, and
chlorhexidine hydrochloride. This includes digluconate and dihydrochloride
salts since the molecule is symmetrical
and has two sites that can form a charge.
Chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine digluconate, and chlorhexidine dihydrochloride are different salt forms of
chlorhexidine which are chemically stable
and most biologically active within a pH
range of 5-8, as noted from the Technical
Report on chlorhexidine from the NOP.
If OMRI were to review a brand name
chlorhexidine product containing a form
of chlorhexidine that has not been spe-
Inert atmospheric gases such as N2 , O2 ,
or CO2 can be added to containers to replace or reduce the content of a particular
gas. Ethylene absorbents or filters can be
used to remove ethylene gas to extend the
shelf life of the harvested crop. Absorbents
are typically composed of a mineral such
as zeolite or vermiculite that is impregnated with potassium permanganate. These
can be sold in bulk as pellets or marketed
in packets or sachets. Gas-selective or
breathable packaging liners and containers control gas exchange between the produce and the atmosphere.
Since organic produce must maintain
organic integrity from the field to the
consumer, storage and packing opera-
tions must meet organic standards. Gases
that are added to control the atmosphere
around organic products, and absorbents
that are added into packaging are considered food contact substances. If the
product is not separated by packaging
and contacts the food directly, the substance must appear in the NOP Rule at
§205.605 or §205.606 to be allowed for
use in organic production. At §205.605,
oil-free grades of O2 and N2 are allowed
nonsynthetics and CO2 is an allowed
synthetic. While ethylene is an allowed
synthetic for use in postharvest ripening
of fruit, ethylene absorbents are not allowed to have direct contact with food.
OMRI reviews products that come into
What forms of chlorhexidine are
allowed for treating organic livestock?
C
Fall 2013
cifically identified as an allowed
synthetic by the NOP, in either the NOP
Rule at §205.603(a)(6) or in a Technical Report, then OMRI would consider
that form of chlorhexidine to be prohibited. Additionally, because chlorhexidine
is regulated by the FDA, OMRI would
require all excipients to be identified by
the FDA as Generally Recognized as Safe
(GRAS), approved by the FDA as a food
additive (Everything Added to Food in
the United States or EAFUS), and/or included in the FDA review and approval of
a New Animal Drug Application (NADA)
or New Drug Application (NDA).
1 Kuwakanond, T.; Quesnel, LB.; FEMS Microbiology Letters 1992, 79, 211-5.
contact with organic food, such as inert
gases, ethylene sachets, or permeable
packaging materials. However, devices
that control atmospheric gas concentrations or filter out ethylene are not within
the scope of the OMRI Review Program.
OMRI’s review standards are based on
the National Organic Standards, proof of
the identity of the ingredients and final
product, and a controlled manufacturing
process. This enables OMRI to review material inputs, but not devices. If a material
is made on-site using a device, it is not appropriate for the OMRI Products List,© because OMRI cannot verify the compliance
of the manufacturing process, nor perform
stream of commerce sampling.
5
Inputs continued from page 3
LaBelle sees similar opportunities in the
Southeast. “A lot of conventional farmers
are open to it now that the price is coming
down. It used to be that organics were so
outrageously expensive that it just didn’t
make sense for [conventional growers],
but that’s changing.” When approaching
conventional growers, both LaBelle and
Brackins are slow to tout organics. The
only way to convince conventional farmers, they say, is with competitive pricing
and first-hand results. “There are so many
residual effects with organics that conventional farmers are not used to. They’re
used to having 100% inputs every year,
and there’s nothing left over. They use it
up with every crop. It’s a totally different
philosophy,” says LaBelle. “If they experience [organics] over time, they definitely
will be sold.”
Another subset of conventional-to-organic transition is occurring nationwide
due to the legal cultivation of medical
marijuana. New dispensaries are elevating
standards and demanding accountability
on inputs. “The [growers] who are emerging as superstars are the ones who can do
it in a natural, organic way,” says James Kostrava of Organibliss™ in Midland, MI. His
primary product is a foliar spray derived
from neem seed extract, which the plants
absorb, repelling pests for several days after each application. The fledgling industry, which Kostrava likens to a “gold rush”
is driving innovation in high-end organic
inputs, he says, which can extend to benefit other high-end vegetable and greenhouse growers.
Kostrova’s import stream was developed by retired 3M engineers in Michigan
who began sourcing neem seeds from Senegal years ago. Organibliss™ performs all
processing in the U.S. On the other hand,
Freeman processes his seabird and bat guano products in Indonesia before importing. His company spent years struggling
to secure proper import documentation,
spending close to a hundred thousand dollars to purchase the necessary analytical
equipment. They now loan the equipment
to the Indonesian government to inspect
other products as well, testing for the absence of pathogens like avian flu, and the
absence of any other animal protein.
With reference to recent Chinese contamination scandals, Freeman explains:
“Indonesia has a bright export future for
agricultural products as long as they can
avoid those contamination issues.” Once
his product is bagged and ready for export,
the government sends “highly trained,
competent” inspectors to the factory.
“They rotate those inspectors from location to location so they can’t get too chummy with anybody. It’s all very above board,
very straight. If you don’t reach the threshold of their standards, they don’t give you
the documents,” he says. “I’m really happy
about them being that strict. That protects
us all.” International equivalency between
the US and EU in 2012 “lit the fuse on or-
OMRI Welcomes New Staff
T
he OMRI office went through a number of staffing changes over the summer. Several longtime staff members have
moved into new positions, while we have
also gained a number of new faces. OMRI
added the new positions of Operations Director and Software Programmer to help
streamline internal and external customer
service. Please join us in welcoming all of
the growth and changes here at OMRI!
In order to expand OMRI’s resources
and provide enhanced support for organic integrity, the organization is actively creating a sustainable organizational structure. With this goal, OMRI is
pleased to welcome Eliza Kashinsky to
the newly created position of Operations
Director. Eliza comes to OMRI from
Washington, D.C. with an extensive background in nonprofit management. In ad6
dition, OMRI will support and expand its
technological services with the selection
of Tim Sawyer as the organization’s new
Software Programmer.
It was hard to say goodbye to former
Review Program Technical Manager
Deder Siedler and former Inspections
Coordinator Annie Amos. They will be
dearly missed. However, OMRI is very
pleased to welcome longtime Product Review Coordinators Andria Schulze and
Amber Lippert into these two critical positions. As the Review Program Technical
Manager, Andria brings a unique blend of
excellent customer service and technical
skills. New Inspections Coordinator Amber Lippert has received extensive training with IOIA, and she undergoes regular
organic inspections as well on her own
family farm. Both Andria and Amber have
been with OMRI for 4 years.
New Product Review Coordinators
Cameron Ference, Taryn Kennedy,
Ana Negrete and Jason Stein are already
helping with product reviews. OMRI is
pleased to gain their unique skills and expertise! They will also be joined by former
Application Specialist Tara Sistrunk, who
brings her own extensive talent and experience with the applications process to the
Product Review Coordinator position.
Finally, OMRI would like to welcome
Sara Nienaber as our new Application
Specialist. Sara has already taken the
reigns and now answers questions about
the application process for all applicants
and suppliers.
Thank you for helping OMRI welcome
new faces, and for supporting staff as they
transition to new roles.
OMRI Materials Review
ganic demand,” says Freeman.
Darren MacFarlane of Bridgewell Agriculture Products, based in Oregon, has
moved truckloads of organic materials
from his warehouse in Stockton, CA since
before the dawn of the organic industry.
Bridgewell recently unveiled new PAR4™
blends of animal protein-based fertilizer,
catering to the high-end organic market,
while also building and packaging brandname products for retail operations.
When making homogenous organic fertilizers for name brand retailers, he says,
many ask him about OMRI listing because
“they’re finding that the home consumer is familiar with the OMRI program.”
MacFarlane often receives requests from
international manufacturers to carry their
products in the US, and he rapidly turns
them down if their material has not undergone a legitimate review process.
Back in Alabama, LaBelle keeps her chin
up on the organic frontier. “Organics has
grown steadily year over year. It’s holding
its own through the recession. It’s not just
a fad,” she says, referencing organic skeptics. “We can’t keep doing the other stuff.
That’s a fad. Using chemical, petroleum
based fertilizers is not something we can
do indefinitely,” she says with a chuckle.
“Right now, the figure we’ve heard is that
90% of the food that’s eaten in Alabama is
imported, which is just ridiculous. Everything we eat could be grown in this state.”
As the organic industry continues to
expand in terms of sales, cross-border
commerce, and even extending support to
conventional growers, it’s clear that manufacturers and input suppliers on the front
lines of organics are poised to meet the
challenge.
OMRI does not endorse or recommend any particular companies or products, but accepts with
gratitude the commendations from interview participants for OMRI’s friendly customer service,
scientific precision, and streamlined review procedures that facilitate the rapid pace of innovation in
organic materials.
Fall 2013
Policy continued from page 1
not yet published a proposed rule, which
is expected to completely prohibit sodium
Policy Memo 11-42 clarifying the procenitrate. When they do, they will allow for
dure that certifiers and Material Review
a public comment period (usually 45+
Organizations (MROs) should follow in
days). The NOP and other government
the event that they “reach different concluagencies must take into account public
sions about the allowance of a product.”
comment, and it could affect the outcome
This new procedure includes notifying the
of the final rule. If the final rule does proNOP about the disagreement so that the
hibit the use of sodium nitrate, the NOP
NOP can “review the information from
may stipulate conditions of the prohibiboth parties and determine whether the
tion, such as a timeline to phase out the use
regulations have been properly applied.”
of sodium nitrate so as not to disrupt the
According to the memo, if the NOP deorganic industry.
termines that the
regulations have
not been properly
The Use of
OMRI will be working with
applied, the NOP
Kelp in Organic
certifiers and the NOP in the
will instruct the
Livestock Feed
near future to determine how
certifier or MRO
The NOP rebest to implement this new
to rescind any
leased a guidance5
policy consistently and fairly.
approval of the
in March 2013 reproduct. Then the
quiring that kelp
NOP will comused in livestock
municate this decision to all certifiers and
feed be certified organic by March 4, 2014.
MROs with a timeline to rescind the apPreviously there had been inconsistency
proval of the product in question.
in the use of organic kelp, due to a lack of
It is clear that there are several issues to
guidance concerning the certification of
consider when complying with the new
kelp as a wild crop and some confusion repolicy. First, since OMRI does not obgarding the agricultural status of kelp. The
tain accreditation from NOP, we cannot
guidance clarifies that kelp is agricultural
divulge confidential information about
and can be certified organic under the wild
products and/or ingredients such that
crops standards at 205.207. As required
the NOP could make an appropriate reby 205.237, kelp must then be certified
sponse. Further, hundreds of approval deorganic when used in livestock feed. The
cisions are made by certifiers that are not
NOP gave a timeline of 12 months for
communicated to OMRI. It is therefore
kelp used in livestock feed to be certified
difficult for OMRI to know whether a cerorganic. OMRI has notified suppliers with
tifier disagreed with an OMRI decision.
OMRI Listed products affected by this
OMRI will be working with certifiers and
guidance that they must source organic
the NOP in the near future to determine
kelp by March 4, 2014.
how best to implement this new policy
consistently and fairly.
Sodium Nitrate
The NOP has periodically reported on
the progress toward rule-making for sodium nitrate, since the material no longer
appears as a prohibited nonsynthetic at
205.602. Earlier this year they released Notice 12-13 regarding the use of sodium nitrate in organic production. The NOP has
1 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfil
e?dDocName=STELPRDC5093156
2 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfil
e?dDocName=STELPRDC5088949
3 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfil
e?dDocName=STELPRDC5100372
4 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfil
e?dDocName=STELPRDC5103512
5 http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfil
e?dDocName=STELPRDC5102729
7
C ALEN D A R
September 21-28 Organic Week in Canada, OMRI is proudly
sponsoring this week-long event and collaboration of the Canada
Trade Association (COTA), the Canadian Health Food Association
(CHFA) and the Canadian Organic Growers (COG). Organic Week
is celebrated at the national, regional and local levels, with many
unique opportunities to highlight organics. organicweek.ca *
October 3-6 Canadian Health Food Association East, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada, CHFA East is Canada’s largest conference and
trade show for the natural health and organics industry.
www.chfa.ca/tradeshows/chfa-east-2013 *
October 9-11 Biopesticide Industry Alliance Semi-Annual
Meeting, Arlington, VA. This annual training includes education and
networking opportunities for academics, researchers and product
manufacturers in the biopesticide industry. Check the schedule for
OMRI Program Director Lindsay Fernandez-Salvador’s presentation
on the NOSB petition process.
www.biopesticideindustryalliance.org *
October 22-24 NOSB Meeting, Louisville, KY. This bi-annual
meeting brings together industry leaders and stakeholders to
discuss new material and input policies. www.ams.usda.gov *
November 8-10 Tilth Producers of Washington “Nourishing
the Future: Cultivating our Farming Legacy” Conference, Yakima,
WA. Washington’s largest gathering of the sustainable agriculture
industry, with more than 400 growers, businesses, researchers,
students and advocates in attendance. The event features
keynote speakers and 25 workshops.
www.tilthproducers.org/programs/conference
December 12-14 ACRES USA Conference, Springfield, IL. This
annual event, “Ecological Farming for the Real World,” brings
together farmers and consultants from every side of eco-farming
to share their experience and expertise. www.acresusa.com/
events/events.htm *
January 15-18 The Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working
Group Conference, Mobile, AL. “Practical Tools & Solutions for
Sustaining Family Farms” This yearly event offers over 62
sessions on a broad range of topics for commercial horticultural
and livestock producers. www.ssawg.org/january-2013conference
January 26-29 U.S. Composting Council Annual Conference
& Tradeshow, Oakland, CA. The largest conference for the
composting, wood waste and organics recycling industry.
www.compostingcouncil.org *
January 30-February 2 Guelph Organic Conference Guelph,
ON, Canada. “Catching the Wave” is the theme for this year’s 4-day
conference that includes international speakers, seminars & intro
workshops on key topics, as well as an Organic Expo/Tasting Fair
with 150+ exhibitors. Look for the OMRI “Meet & Greet” on the
conference schedule and learn more about OMRI’s program for
Canada. www.guelphorganicconf.ca *
* OMRI staff will attend, present, or exhibit at this event.
Compiled from a variety of sources. OMRI welcomes your calendar
suggestions. Email to [email protected].
IOIA and OMRI TRAINING
REGISTER NOW!
Don’t forget to sign up for our upcoming IOIA / OMRI Webinar Trainings:
October 3–Processing Input Materials • October 9–Crop Input Materials
December 11–Livestock Input Materials
Visit www.ioia.net to register
look for the 2014 schedule coming soon!
8
OMRI Materials Review