Principles of Organic Farming Systems and Natural Resource Conservation.

Principles of Organic Farming Systems and Natural Resource

Conservation

Common Goals: early 20th Century

Organic Farming

Agricultural pioneers developed organic farming systems to restore soil productivity, seed quality, crop vigor, and livestock health.

National Organic Program

Conservation

USDA Soil Conservation Service was founded to help farmers stop the devastating soil and crop losses in the 1930s Dust Bowl.

Natural Resources Conservation Service

Our Common GoalChange this: … to this:

Years of poor soil management can lead to severe erosion (left).Rotation of annual and perennialcrops in contour strips, andsufficient organic inputs keepsloping fields healthy (above).

Definition of Organic Production

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

NOP Final Rule, part 205.2

Site-specific: understand each farm as a unique individual, considering:

• Soil – texture, type, condition

• Climate – temperature, rainfall, frost dates

• Crops, livestock, production system

• Wildilfe, beneficials, pests

• Farmer objectives and market needs

Integrated practices: multiple tactics for each goal

Weeds are managed by:

•Crop rotation•Cover cropping•Optimum crop and nutrient management•Timely cultivation •Mulching

Plastic mulch with in-row dripirrigation, and timely cultivationfollowed by hay mulch in alleyscontrolled weeds in this vigorous pepper crop.

Integrated practices: multifunctional components

Cover Crops:• Prevent erosion.• Add organic matter.• Fix N (legumes).• Take up surplus N

(grasses).• Suppress weeds.

A cover crop of sorghum-sudangrass and sunnhemp ina field trial at Virginia Tech’sKentland Agricultural Research Farm.

Cycling of Resources

Recycle fertility resources on the farm:•Cover crops and green manures•Animal manures•Other on-farm residues•Deep-rooted crops•Prevent nutrient loss via runoff and erosion

This cover crop of crimson clover and winter barley fixes N, retrieves subsoil nutrients,and prevents soil erosion.

Ecological Balance

• Maintain a healthy, living soil.

• Provide enough NPK – but not too much.

• Use cultural and biological pest controls.

• Utilize least-toxic pest sprays when needed.

• Evaluate off-farm impacts of all practices.

Biodiversity

• Crops• Livestock• Insect life• Native

vegetation• Wildlife habitat• Soil life

This “farmscape” planting of mixedflowering plants attracted a diversityof beneficial insects that controlledpests in nearby organic vegetableplots at Virginia Tech’s research farm.

Livestock in Integrated Systems• Manure provides crop

nutrients.• Rotation to perennial

forage rests soil after intensive annual crop production.

• Grazing reduces weeds and crop diseases.

• Crop residues and culls provide livestock fodder.

Sound rotational grazing canimprove pasture and restore soil quality and fertility forfuture crop production.

Some Key Conservation Practices for Organic Farmers

• Nutrient Management – code 590budget N and P, prevent water pollution

• Pest Management – code 595minimize negative impacts on soil, water, air

• Conservation Crop Rotation – code 328 minimize erosion, improve soil, manage pests

• Cover Crop – code 340reduce erosion, build OM, manage nutrients

NOP Rule: Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard

Maintain or improve the physical, chemical and biological condition of soil and minimize erosion.

Manage crop nutrients and soil fertility through rotations, cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials.

from Section 205.203

NOP Rule: Crop pest, weed, and disease management practice standard

Use management practices to prevent crop pests, weeds, and diseases, including:

•Crop rotation and nutrient management•Sanitation•Cultural practices that enhance crop health•Habitat for natural enemies of pests •Augmentation or introduction of predators or parasites of pests

from Section 205.206

Nutrient Management: the Organic Approach

• Based on soil life: “feed the soil, and the soil will feed the crop.”

• Legumes for N• Slow-release organic

fertilizers as supplements

• Less emphasis on soluble fertilizers

Sweetclover feeds the soil life, adds N, makes P more available, recovers leached nutrients.

Nutrient Management: Organic Horticulture Challenges

• Difficult to do precise nutrient budgeting

• N requirements of vegetable crops

• N and P balance Spring broccoli requires150 lb N/ac within 60-70 daysafter planting.

Pest Management: the Organic Approach

• Preventive practices (e.g., sanitation, crop rotation)

• Biologically based – uses natural enemies of pests.

• Non-use of synthetic pesticides protects water and wildlife.

• NOP-allowed pest control materials only if needed.

Mixed flowers provide habitat for beneficialinsects at this farm in southwest Virginia.

Pest Management – Organic Horticulture Challenges

• Diseases and some insect pests difficult to control organically

• Tillage and cultivation for weed control – impact on soil quality

Crop Rotation: Organic Options

• No herbicide residues to limit rotation sequences.

• Organic farming systems are often highly diverse.

• Crop–livestock integration widens rotation options.

An eight-year rotation of eight vegetable and seven cover crops at an organic farm in Vermont.

Conservation Crop Rotation : Organic Horticulture Challenges

• Most vegetable crops leave little residue.

• Conservation rotation may entail income foregone.

• Complex crop mix requires flexibility.

• Sandy soils and warm climates burn up organic matter.

Cover Crops: an Organic Advantage

Because herbicides are not used for weed control, cover crop options are not restricted by herbicide carryover.

Alsike clover overseeded intowheat and allowed to grow aftergrain harvest at the Rodale Farming Systems Trial.

Cover Crops: Organic Horticulture Challenges

• NOP requires organic seed if available.

• Tight rotations limit cover crop niches.

• Cover cropping may entail foregone income.

• Sandy soils and warm climates burn up cover crop residues quickly.

Organic Certification and the USDA National Organic Program

An Overview

Purpose of Organic Certification

To maintain the integrity of “organic” and assures the buyer that products were grown and handled using organic practices that:

•Protect soil, water, and other resources.•Exclude synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.•Protect products from prohibited materials.•Provide humane conditions for livestock.

USDA National Organic Program (NOP)

• First implemented in 2002• Uniform Organic Practice Standards• National List of allowed & prohibited materials• Accreditation of state and private certifiers• National Organic Standards Board (NOSB):–Reviews new products–Recommends amendments to Standards

What makes a farm “Organic”?• Production and handling standards outlined in

NOP Final Rule• Organic System Plan• Use of only allowed substanceso No prohibited substances for past 3 years• Verification through:o Certification by USDA accredited bodyo Annual on-site inspectiono Record keeping

How a Farmer becomes Certified Organic

• Farmer chooses a Certifying Agent.

• Farmer submits completed application to Certifier.

o Includes Organic System Plan.

• Inspector reviews application, inspects farm.

• Inspector conducts exit interview.

• Certifier makes decision.

Organic System Plan

• Crops & livestock to be certified organic

• Seeds and seedlings

• Soil fertility management and inputs

• Crop rotation

• Weed, pest and disease management, materials to be used, and justification

• Adjoining land use, buffers

“Can I use this product on my organic farm?”

• National List at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/nop

• Organic Materials Review Institute listing at http://www.omri.org

o Generic product and Brand name listingso Allowed, Restricted or Prohibited

• If still unclear, farmer should consult Certifier.

Materials Allowed for Use in Certified Organic Production

Substances are classified as:• Allowed – most naturally occurring materials• Restricted – allowed under certain conditions• Prohibited – most synthetic materials

This is a general guideline only!Producer should verify status of each material

before first use.

Examples of NOP Allowed Materials

• Compost – precisely defined• Plant-based soil amendments• Limestone • Low-solubility natural mineral amendments• Biological pest controls

Need or rationale for inputs must be documented in Organic System Plan.

Examples of Restricted Materials• Uncomposted manure (raw or aged at <131°F)

Minimum 90 or 120 days before harvest.• Chilean nitrate (mined sodium nitrate)

Maximum 20% of crop’s total N need.• Botanical pesticides

Only when preventive and biological controlsdo not suffice.

Use and justification must be documented in farm records.

Examples of prohibited materials

• Synthetic fertilizers, e.g. 10-10-10, muriate of potash, diammonium phosphate

• Synthetic pesticides, e.g., carbaryl, malathion• Synthetic herbicides, e.g., glyphosate, alachlor• Fence posts treated with CCA or PCP• Sewage sludge or biosolids• GMO seeds, or seeds treated with synthetics– Must use organic seeds if commercially available.

National List: synthetic substances allowed with

restrictions specified

Examples:

• Plastic mulches – remove at end of use

• Micronutrient compounds – document need

• Sulfur dioxide – underground rodent control only

National List: nonsynthetic substances prohibited

Examples:

• Ash from burning manure

• Arsenic

• Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate)

Does it pay to become Certified Organic?

• Certification and inspection fees

• Market needs

• Premiums for Certified Organic

• Organic product differentiation

USDA Certification is required in order to label, represent or market products as “organic.”

Other USDA Programs for Organic

• Organic Certification Cost-Share 75% up to $750 per year

• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative

• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)• Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Transition

Incentive• Research and Extension: SARE, Organic

Research and Extension Initiative, Organic Transitions