Herstory: Women in Organic Agriculture - CCOF

under NOP section 205.204 (a) (1) (2),
therefore conventional crowns may be
used but should not be treated with any
prohibited materials in the handling of the
plant material. If the crowns are from a
non-organic source, complete OSP Section
G 3.1.
The same principle would apply to propagants
such as sweet potato slips; you may
use untreated commercial plant material (if
organic is not available) as a mother plant
on an organic operation. The mother plant
would be managed organically to multiply
the seedlings.
COMPOST AND MANURE
Q: What kinds of compost products are
A
allowed under the Federal Rule?
: OSP Section G 4.1, Part B, “If you
Purchase Compost…”
Compost that met the old CCOF standard
will meet the new USDA regulation.
While compost must be handled in accordance
with NOP Section 205.203 (c) (2),
under the heading “Soil Fertility and Crop
Nutrient Management Practice Standard”,
CCOF anticipates that the National
Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will pass
recommendations that will provide further
explanation for the compost regulations.
The NOSB recommendations will provide
for allowances for vermiculture and
broader carbon to nitrogen ratios. The
standards for compost are also outlined in
OSP Section 4.1, Part A. If compost does
not contain manures, then it is not regulated
by the Federal Rule and would be
considered mulch.
Q: Can I use processed manure products
A
on my organic operation?
: OSP Section G 4.1, Part A and/or B,
“If You Produce Compost…” or “If You
Purchase Compost…”
Yes, heat-treated manures or processed
manures may be used as they are treated to
prevent the contamination of crops with
pathogens. Again, CCOF anticipates that
the NOSB will approve language that provides
clarification as to the use of processed
manures.
Q: Are grazing animals considered to
A
be a raw manure application?
: No, CCOF is not considering that
grazing animals are subject to the restrictions
of raw manure application. CCOF
seeks to encourage the use of animals in
crop rotations; however, we do not encourage
the use of grazing animals in crops that
are harvested for fresh consumption. Clearly
animals are not grazed in vegetable crops
prior to harvest.
Q: How do I know if my compost is
A
contaminated with Clopyralid?
: OSP Section G 4.1, Part B, “If You
Purchase Compost…”
If you are buying compost, you should
ask the compost producer to provide evidence
that they test for Clopyralid residue.
If you cannot verify that such a test has been
conducted, you should perform an on-farm
bioassay. For directions on performing the
bioassay, see The Newsletter of CCOF, Vol.
19, No. 1, pages 10–12 (Spring 2002). You
can find this article on the CCOF website at
www.ccof.org/nl/nl10-12.pdf, or e-mail the
Statewide Office at ccof@ccof.org to request
a copy of the article in PDF format (you can
download Adobe Acrobat Reader to view
PDF files from the CCOF website at
www.ccof.org). We can also send you a copy
via fax or U.S. Mail.
MATERIALS & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Q: Can I use copper on my organic
A
farm?
: Yes. Be sure to complete the correct
portions of the OSP.
• For use as a micronutrient: OSP Section
G 4.2, Part A, “Fertility Inputs…”
• For Pest and Disease Control: OSP
Section G 5.1, Part A, “If you Use
Substances For Controlling Insects
or Diseases…”
Q: Can I still use pheromones on my
A
organic farm?
: OSP Section G 5.1, Part A, “If You
Use Substances For Controlling Insects…”
Yes, twist-ties, or hangers can be used; you
should check the OMRI list for approved
pheromone dispensing products. There is
concern that some brand name pheromone
products are at risk of being dropped from
the OMRI list due to EPA list III inert
ingredients, (see the OMRI Brand Names
List on the web at www.omri.org, or go
the CCOF website and use the OMRI
link). However, the NOSB is reviewing the
inert ingredients in these cases and there is
a lot of support for keeping these important
products as “approved” under the
USDA Rule.
Summer 2002 Page 27