Agricultural Literacy - Organic Foods
Thank you for agreeing to take this organic foods knowledge survey. There are two parts to this
knowledge survey. First, you will be asked two-part question which asks you to answer an
open-ended question on the topic. Second, you will be asked ten multiple choice questions on
the topic.
Sammie and you are waiting in line at the bank. You are talking about what produce is the
healthiest. You feel like you have a basic understanding of food. Sammie makes an argument
that organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than conventional grown produce. You
ask her to explain. She insists that the use of chemicals reduces the nutritional value of
produce. You ponder her comments for a moment before replying to her. Do you agree with
Sammie’s statement?
 Yes
 No
 Somewhat
Sammie claims that the use of chemical fertilizers reduces the nutritional value of produce. In
the space provided please make your claim about the use of chemicals and the nutritional value
of produce. Provide any facts and statements you know which would help prove your claim.
Please answer as detailed as possible and to the best of your ability.
The National Organic Program requires food which has the certified organic label to be:
 GMO-free
 Free-range
 Natural
 Humane
Assess the following claims about pesticides (substances meant for preventing, destroying or
mitigating any pest) and organic products to determine which is most true:
 Organic farmers utilize highly regulated and laboratory tested pesticides which fall within the
safe levels of pesticide residue.
 Organic produce carries significantly fewer pesticide residues than conventional produce;
however, residues on most products, both organic and nonorganic, don't exceed
government safety thresholds.
 Organic farmers utilize biological pest controls (living organism, like insects, and not
chemicals) which can elevate the level of pesticide residue of the produce beyond the
government safety thresholds.
 Organic produce carries significantly fewer pesticide residues than conventional produce;
however, organic produce are not monitored by governmental agencies for levels of
pesticide residues.
The National Organic Program requires organic crops and foods to meet certain requirements in
order to receive the official USDA Organic label. Which of these statements is not a specific
requirement of the National Organic Program?
 Inspection requires that production procedures do not include synthetic fertilizers (manmade chemicals used as plant nutrients).
 Inspection requires that production procedures follow the List of Allowed and Prohibited
Substances (National List).
 In-person inspections must occur twice a year at the facilities working with organic foods to
ensure compliance.
 Inspection is overseen by a National Organic Program agent or an authorized third-party
certifying agent, following all National Organic Program organic regulations.
Handlers and producers who become certified organic according to the National Organic
Program must provide proof of which of the follow:
 A written Organic System Plan describing the practices and substances to be used
 A history of substances applied to land for the previous 6 months
 The marketing strategy for the use of the USDA Organic label
 An annual inspection certificate from a certified third-party inspector
Which of the following regulations applies to importing and exporting organic products between
the United States and Canada?
 Canada has stricter definitions and requirements for products labeled organic, so organic
products from the United States must undergo further inspections in Canada.
 The United States has stricter definitions and requirements for products labeled organic, so
organic products from the Canada must undergo further inspections in the United States.
 There are currently no provisions for the trade of organic products between the United
States and Canada, so they are not traded.
 The United States and Canada have developed an arrangement for equivalent certifications
so producers need to follow specific growing regulations and complete export forms
The National Organic Program indicates that a product certified organic must contain at least
____% organic ingredients.
 100%
 95%
 80%
 75%
A turkey farmer has a sick bird in his organic rafter (i.e., flock). He wants to help this turkey.
What can he not do and still keep their National Organic Program certification?
 The farmer can isolate the turkey from the rest of the rafter and treat it with minimal levels of
prohibited substances and only reintroduce the turkey into the rafter one month after the
treatment.
 The farmer can isolate the turkey from the rest of the rafter and treat it with non-prohibited
substances and then reintroduce the turkey into the rafter after treatment.
 The farmer can treat the turkey with prohibited substances and keep the turkey in the rafter,
but that turkey cannot be sold or marketed as organic.
 The farmer can cull (remove the animal) from the rafter and humanely kill to reduce the
potential spread of the illness to his whole rafter.
Which organic crop is most grown in the United States?
 Wheat
 Tomatoes
 Corn
 Cotton
Which of the following statements about foodborne pathogens (something in the food which
causes illness) in conventionally-raised pigs versus organically-raised is most accurate.
 Open living spaces are healthier than crowded animal living spaces.
 Crowded living spaces represent no greater risk compared to open living spaces.
 The prohibition of pharmaceuticals presents a real health challenge compared to use of
pharmaceuticals.
 Pharmaceuticals are not needed if open living spaces are utilized.
Which of the following crops have genetically-modified variants (GMO) which are grown in the
United States?
 Lettuce
 Apples
 Soybeans
 Oranges