Growers Learn Basics Of New
Standards For Organic Foods

HOTCHKISS, Colo. — Farmers and ranchers hoping for clarification on soon-to-be-implemented national standards for organic products found more questions than answers at an informational meeting recently hosted by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.

Growers, researchers, marketers, inspectors and others gathered to learn about the standards, which will be implemented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with the assistance of the National Organic Standards Board on Oct. 21.

The new standards represent the culmination of 12 years of work, NOSB Chairman Dave Carter said.

"We have spent 12 years talking about the story behind the little round seal that will appear on packages beginning in October," Carter said. "It is a pretty important topic."

Organic farming in the United States originally grew out of the "natural" foods movement of the 1970s, Carter explained.

"Those folks built the marketplace," he said. "By the 1980s, other producers saw opportunity and came into the marketplace. What happened then was that some grew products by conventional means and just called them organic."

With 66 percent of organic purchases made for reasons of health and nutrition, the establishment of standards for organic growers has become a vital issue. Organic farming is especially important to the Western United States, Carter said.

Certifying entities will be accredited by the USDA and may include private entities as well as state organizations. The State of Colorado has applied to attain certification status.

NOSB task forces will examine the issues that arise as various segments of the agricultural industry strive to meet the new organic regulations. Typical issues include feeding requirements for poultry, dairy herd replacement and livestock access to pasture and to the outdoors.

The emphasis of the new program will be on management systems, Carter said.

"It's all about having a good farm plan and keeping good records," he continued.

Montrose organic farmer Betsy Austin was among those who attended the meeting to learn how to comply with the new standards.

"In some ways it is good to have a basic standard for the whole United States," Austin said. "But they are still not as comprehensive as we would like them to be. I would like to see them even stricter in some areas."

The new standards will also mean more education for those who must enforce them.

"There are going to be a lot of growing pains over the next few years," Colorado Department of Agriculture Inspector David Gordon said. "I know the state rules, but I am still learning the federal rules along with everybody else."

Producers must comply with the new standards to use the word "organic" in marketing efforts. Those with gross sales of less than $5000 are exempt from regulation, but may not use the USDA seal.

Jonathan Allen of Montrose, who is vice president of the Colorado Organic Producers Association, agreed that so far there are more questions than answers. For example, those seeking exceptions to certain regulations under the "Act of God" clause, which concerns such unforeseen catastrophes as hailstorms, must make sure it is an act of God sanctioned by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. Allen said producers should concentrate on the requirements of the entity certifying their product.

"There are so many weird things, and there might be some answers," Allen said. "Until then your only responsibility is to comply with the regulations as implemented by your certifying agent."

The new standards will cover organic crops and livestock, and handling, Carter said. There will be three labeling categories, "100 percent organic", "organic", and "made with organic ingredients."

Information about the production, handling and labeling requirements of the new national organic standards is available at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.