WCN February 2020 Web

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substances unless specifically prohibited.
Inert ingredients in a product may be
problematic. The EPA List 1 has known
toxicological concerns. List 2 are potentially
toxic. List 3 are unknown toxicity
except passive pheromone dispensers.
List 4A are minimal risks and list 4B is
reasonable to conclude no adverse effect
on health or environment.
The NOP and EPA come together
in OMRI and WSDA or as determined
by individual certifiers. Registrants of
products for organic production pay
a fee and the products are evaluated.
There is a decision made to list or not
list and recommend to certifiers.
Certifiers, Elkins said, are important
partners in implementation of an
organic systems plan (OSP). Growers
should know which lists they use and if
they self-evaluate materials. How quickly
do they inform you when the status
of a material in your farm plan changes?,
she asked. Certifiers may warn
organic producers that they cannot use
any input material in their organic production
system until it has been listed
by OMRI, WSDA and added to your
OSP and been approved for use.
Certifiers are not pest control advisers,
Elkins stressed. PCAs recommend a
material, certifiers approve. Communication
between all parties is essential.
Moving into orchard practices, Elkins
said that both the orchard site and
the cultivar must be chosen carefully to
minimize risks. Habitat in and around
the orchard should be managed to control
pests. Cultural practices should be
timed to be more effective. Communicating
with other organic producers and
making use of education opportunities
is also important.
Elkins suggested that due to young
trees’ susceptibility to pest and pathogen
pressure, providing protection with
conventional methods and materials
and before transitioning to organic production
should be considered if possible
within the total farming system (this
may be impossible if land is already
certified or for replant situations).
Giving young trees protection from
sunburn, weed and vertebrate pressure
will allow them to more quickly reach
their growth potential and be more productive
over their life span. Pre-plant
preparation, nutrition, weed control,
sunburn protection and vertebrate control
done with conventional materials
(where possible) can ensure better long
term tree health and quality production.
As transition of an orchard into
organic production begins, Elkins noted
the importance of communicating with
not only your certifier, but also buyers,
about which materials to use. Phytotoxicity
and food safety regulations must
be considered with all products.
Buffer zones around organic production
are another consideration. The
zones are not just a number, Elkins said.
They must be sufficient in size or have
other features like a windbreak or diversion
ditch to prevent the possibility of
unintended contact by prohibited substances
applied to adjacent land areas to
lands with certified organic operations.
Soil building inputs are key to tree
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West Coast Nut February 2020