Organic Farming

ORGANIC FARMING

Organic Certification : is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants. Requirements vary from country to country, and generally involve a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging and shipping that include :

"No" human sewage sludge fertilizer used in cultivation of plants or feed of animals ;

Avoidance synthetic chemical inputs,

Not on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

( e.g. fertilizer, pesticides, antibiotics, food additives, etc. ) ;

"No" Genetically modified organisms, irradiation, and the use of bio-solids ;

Use farmland that has been free from prohibited synthetic chemicals for a number of years

( often three or more ) ;

         Keeping detailed written production and sales records ( audit trail ) ;

         Maintaining strict physical separation of organic products from non-certified products ;

         Undergoing periodic on-site inspections ;

In some countries, certification is overseen by the government, and commercial use of the term organic is legally restricted. Certified organic producers are also subject to the same agricultural, food safety and other government regulations that apply to non-certified producers.

USDA - National Organic Program
A production system that is managed to respond to site specified conditions by
integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources,
promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity.

What is Organic ?
Organic is a labeling term that indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods that integrate cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used.