Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Rhonda Ferree, Sandy Mason, Ellen Phillips and John Pike
University of Illinois  

In January 2005, Illinois held its first organic production conference. The goal of the conference was to provide practical, science-based information for any farmer interested in learning more about organic agriculture. A group of University of Illinois Extension educators (Deborah Cavanaugh-Grant, Rhonda Ferree, Sandy Mason, Ellen Phillips and John Pike) compiled a list of frequently asked questions regarding organic agriculture. Below are a few of those questions. 

1. What is involved in the certification process?
According to the National Organic Program (NOP), organic production is defined as a �production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.�

Farmers and landowners interested in organic certification need to ensure that the land has been free of prohibited substances for three full years preceding harvest of the first organic crop (see NOP, 205.105 Allowed and prohibited substances, methods, and ingredients in organic production and handling). The Organic Materials Review Institute ( http://www.omri.org/) provides a list of those brand name products for organic production, processing, and handling.

The first step to organic certification is to select a certifier. In Illinois, the Illinois Department of Agriculture does not provide certification (as of February 14, 2004, only 14 states provide this service). Interested persons need to review the List of Accredited Certifying Agents at the National Organic Program website (available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/CertifyingAgents/Accredited.html).

Second, an application needs to be submitted. Certifying organizations will provide an application packet, including a farm plan questionnaire (there is usually a fee charged for this) and a copy of their certification standards. Recordkeeping and documentation is a critical component of the organic certification process. An excellent publication to assess farm compliance with the National Organic Program standards is the National Organic Program compliance Checklist for Producers June 2003 (available at http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/compliance.pdf)

Third, the certification organization will review the plan to ensure that it meets the National Organic Program Standards.

Fourth, is the on-site visit by an inspector who visits the farm to ensure that the producer is following their plan and is in compliance with the organic standards, inspecting fields, buildings and records. The inspector will discuss any areas that are not in compliance and then, both the producer and inspector will sign an affidavit. The inspector submits a detailed report to the certifier.

Fifth, the application and inspection report is reviewed. If the application is approved, the producer may begin selling their products as organic. If the farm receives a �notification of noncompliance,� the producer must rectify the issues before certification is granted. See the NOP website for detailed information regarding the certification process (available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards/CertReg.html).

The cost for certification can vary from $300 to $3000 or more among certifying agents. The fees also vary with the size and complexity of the farm operation, the costs of inspection and other factors. There is usually a fee for the application packet, as well as application and inspection fees. Farmers will need to contact each certifying organization for this information. The USDA awarded the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) $40,000 in 2003 to help defray certification costs. Producers and processors were awarded grants of up to 75 percent of the certification costs, with a maximum of $500. To date, $28,000 has been disbursed to cover cost incurred from Oct. 1, 2002 to Sept. 30, 2003. The remaining $12,000 can go to pay certification costs incurred from Oct. 1, 2003 to Sept. 30, 2004. There is hope that the USDA will make this a permanent grant, but at this time there has been no official comment on this. IDOA will issue press releases and announce any program changes on its website at www.agr.state.il.us. Any questions regarding this program should be directed to Kent McFarland, Illinois Department of Agriculture, Marketing and Promotion, 217-524-9131, kmcfarland@agr.state.il.us

2. What are the approved fertilizer and pesticide products?
The organic regulations state that no prohibited materials can be applied for at least three years to be certified as organic. Maintaining soil quality with adequate nutrient levels requires more dependence on tillage, cultivation practices, cover crops, crop rotation and the use of manure. Maintaining high levels of organic matter in the soil will help minimize the need for additional fertilizers. Supplemental fertilizer and amendments are limited to those approved according to the National Organic Standard. Some amendments such as manure may have further restrictions on their use due to environmental concerns. Communicate with the certifying agency about all fertilizers and amendments that will be used to be certain that it will not affect the certification of the field as organic.

Pest control requires creative management solutions to minimize injury by pests. Maintaining a growing environment that is stress free for the crop is the best way to minimize pest damage. Purchase seed that has disease resistance. Utilizing row covers, releasing beneficial insects, mulch, cultivation and irrigation are a few of the many management options available. If these management practices do not control the pest then an approved biological, botanical or synthetic pesticide may be used.

Resources to consider
National Organic Standards
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards.html

Organic Resources
http://extension.agron.iastate. edu/organicag/resources.html
http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/organicag/soil.html

OMRI Brand Name Products list
www.omri.org/brand_list.htm l

Organic Fertilizer and amendments suppliers
http://www.mosesorganic.org/umord/suppliers.htm

Sources of Organic Fertilizers and Amendments, ATTRA
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/orgfert.html

How to Convert an Inorganic Fertilizer Recommendation to an Organic One
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/C853.htm

Cover Crops, University of Illinois
http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/asap/covercrops/index.html

Organic Matter Management
(NOTE: This page deals with soil management in general, not specifically organic production)
http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NOP/standards.html

Organic Control of Pests
http://www.attra.org/organic.html#pests

3. Where do I find information regarding cultural practices to reduce the need for purchased fertilizer/pesticide/fungicides?
Information is available from several sources. First, ATTRA (Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas), a National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) project funded by the USDA Rural Business - Cooperative Service, provides the most comprehensive listing of organic resources ( http://www.attra.org/organic.html). The national SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program also has some excellent publications ( http://www.sare.org/publications/index.htm). Third, the USDA National Agricultural Library, Alternative Farming Systems Information Center has some great resources ( http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/ofp/).

4. How does organic fit in with current conservation programs? Does land coming out of CRP meet organic certification standards?
This question is best left to consultants, organic inspectors and certifying agencies. USDA NRCS does not make determinations as to whether CRP lands are eligible for organic production. Generally, USDA assistance on conservation programs is geared more toward the producer, not the landowner. There are exceptions, such as those programs that enroll marginal lands, such as CRP, that usually deal with the landowner. The expectation is that producers and landowners will work together on USDA conservation programs and projects without targeting one or the other.

Yes, as along as no prohibited materials have been used for the 36 months before the first organic harvest and the renter is in charge of the current certifiable year�s inputs and management (see NOP regulations-� 205.202 Land requirements)

5. What are the profitability scenarios for organic row crop systems?
As with any cropping system, profits for organic production are affected by a variety of environmental and marketing factors. In discussions concerning organic row cropping, premium prices are usually high enough to gain the attention of any conventional corn and soybean producer. While organic premiums are often quite attractive, it is important to note that most of the prices quoted are usually for food grade quality. Depending on location, weather conditions and management practices that occur in a given growing season, a producer may or may not be able to produce food grade quality crops so discounts might reduce the price the farmer receives.

Another factor that prospective organic row crop producers should consider is the fact that they will probably not be able to utilize the conventional corn/soybean crop rotation that they probably are accustomed to. While budgets for organic corn or soybean production alone normally show a profit advantage over conventionally produced corn and soybean crops, an organic producer must consider the implications of an entire rotation to fully explore the true profitability of going organic. Other crops in the extended organic rotation may not be as profitable or more difficult to market.

In the majority of organic crop rotations, forage crops are utilized to build the soil and break insect and disease cycles. To maximize the profitability of these crops many producers will include livestock in the farm system. Although large-scale local markets for organic livestock may not exist, direct marketing to local customers has proven to be a lucrative option when sufficient time is devoted to marketing efforts.

The following web sites provide budget and pricing information for a variety of organic row crops and livestock options.

http://web.aces.uiuc.edu/value/

http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/~asap/research/stew_farm/Apependix-rep-02.html#Production%20Buds,%20Conv

http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/publications/Organic%20cropping.pdf

http://www.aec.msu.edu/agecon/aecreports/budgets01.htm

http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~farmmgmt/ne-budgets/organic.html

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/agecon/ecguides/2003org.pdf

http://www.newfarm.org/

http://www.dakotabeefcompany.com/about.html

http://www.nimanranch.com

6. Can organic row cropping be profitable without having livestock as a part of the operation?
Yes, however the majority of organic row crop producers do raise some livestock. Livestock can help the farmer to maximize profits on acreage where forage crops are grown and also provide an outlet for grain that does not meet food grade standards. Marketing this grain �on the hoof� as organic livestock can be a better option than selling at discount prices or on the conventional commodity market in a worse case scenario. Livestock manure is also a valuable production input to the organic system. Most experts would argue that it just makes sense to include livestock production as a part of about any organic row cropping system. Budget information for organic livestock production can be accessed through several of the websites listed in #5.

7. If forage crops are a necessary part of the organic rotation, is there a marketing option available for organic livestock other than developing direct marketing channels?
Markets other than direct marketing channels are available for organic livestock. Many times however, these markets are not in close proximity to the farm so transportation may be an issue for many producers. Marketing outlets and their standards should be identified and understood in the early stages of the planning process.

http://www.newfarm.org

http://www.dakotabeefcompany.com/about.html

http://www.nimanranch.com

8. If we are dealing with rented land, how will the organic system impact my landlord? And most importantly, how will that impact me?
The landlord is not impacted in any way, other than needing to sign a prior land use affidavit verifying the land is certifiable (three years no prohibited substances). The renter should be in charge of the management of the organic land (at least) during the year that organic certification is requested by them. As in any rental arrangement, the renter should communicate with the landlord about organic standards concerning adjacent land use, e.g., buffer strips, etc.

9. Can I farm some of my farm organic and some conventional or do I have to convert all of it?
Under the National Organic Program, you can grow both organic and non-organic on the same farm, as long as there is strict segregation and documentation that planters, tillage, fertilizer applications, sprayers, tillage, cultivation, harvest, transportation and storage equipment would not contaminate the organic land. Organic fields must have distinct boundaries. For example, if you used a planter that had previously planted treated seed, you would need to document that the seed boxes had been cleaned, how they had been cleaned etc. before you used untreated seed in them for the organic land. If the tractor or planter has tanks, these would need to be documented and be empty before that equipment is used on organic land. If you want to use a sprayer to apply organically approved substances (such as some types of fish emulsion), you would need to clean an old sprayer and then dedicate to only organic use, or buy a new sprayer.

If you plan to sell your crops overseas, you might choose to be certified to the NOP and to other international standards (IFOAM, EU�Europe, JAS�Japan). Some of these additional international standards do want the entire farm to eventually convert to 100 percent organic production. If your crops are produced, sold and consumed in the United States, there is no mandate to convert your entire farm to organic.

10. What about drift from non-organic neighbors?
The use of genetically engineered organisms or their products are prohibited in organic production. However, organic crops can become contaminated through genetically modified organism (GMO) pollen drift. GMO drift can occur from wind blown cross-pollination, volunteer plants in the field, insect cross-pollination or seed impurities. Organic producers can minimize the risk of GMO contamination in several ways.

First, familiarize yourself with the Organic regulations pertaining to GMO�s. Know your neighbors and what crops they will be planting in their fields. Sometimes coordinating with other growers on what crop will be planted in a field, planting dates or hybrid maturity can help minimize cross contamination. Establish physical barriers such as windbreaks. Verify with the seed company that the seed you are using is non-GMO.

Follow-up by having the seed tested to confirm that there is no contamination. Clean your equipment, trucks, etc. regularly and maintain records. Make certain that custom operators and hired trucks know that the field is organic and that it must also be non-GMO. Have your crop tested at harvest to verify that there was no GMO drift. Communicate with your buyers regarding their testing procedures and tolerance levels to minimize crop rejection.

Resources to consider
10 Strategies to Minimize Risks of GMO Contamination
http://newfarm.org/features/0802/strategies.shtml

Strategies for the coexistence of FMO, Non-GMO and Organic Crop Production
http://www.biotech.iastate.edu/publications/IFAFS/Walt_coexistence.html

Are individual certifiers allowed to set maximum tolerances for unintentional FMO contamination?
http://newfarm.org/certification/0803/answers.shtml

FMO Survey of Organic Farmers
http://www.newfarm.org/news/050103/0520/gmosurvey.shtml

Labs that do testing
http://www.omri.org/OMRI_GMO_labs.html

Are individual certifiers allowed by the NOP to set maximum tolerances for unintentional GMO contamination? http://newfarm.org/certification/certification_archives.shtml

Fact Sheet on Transgenic Contamination and Seeds
http://www.npsas.org/GMOFactSheet.html