Aberdeen R & E Center
1693 S 2700 W
Aberdeen, ID 83210
Phone: 397-4181 Fax: 397-4311
Email: slove@uidaho.edu

Organic Vegetable
Production
What is Organic Production?

Organic Vegetable
Production
What is Organic Production?
Common definition:
Production of food crops without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or growth regulators.

Organic Vegetable
Production
What is Organic Production?
Legal definition:
Production of food under a certification system based on the regulations and standards established by the USDA
National Organic Program.

Organic Vegetable
Production
What is Organic Production?
Marketing organic:
The terms “organic” or “USDA organic” are trademarked and owned by USDA/NOP and can be used in marketing only with permission via the certification process

Organic Vegetable
Production
What is Organic Production?
Includes a marketing strategy that takes advantage of current public attitudes toward health and environmental sustainability
Excellent option for gardeners or truck croppers who are looking for marketing and pricing advantages

Organic Vegetable
Production
Is organic production based on sound principles and procedures?
See the article by Elizabeth Finkel:
Lecture 9 supplement – Organic Foods
Exposed, Finkel
Pdf on the Veg Crops web site

Organic Vegetable Production
Advantages:
Increasing market demand
Higher pricing structure (>20%)
Safe worker conditions
Disadvantages
Difficult to maintain product quality
High cost of production
High labor requirements
Complex certification/registration procedures

Organic Vegetable Production
Producer trends:
Increasing demand is causing a change in the traditional concept of “organic farm” – shift toward large-scale, corporate production

Organic Vegetable Production
Producer trends:
Increasing demand is causing a change in the traditional concept of “organic farm” – shift toward large-scale, corporate production

Organic Production Principles
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
6.
Operations based on long-term plans
Certification and registration as “organic”
Organic integrity -utilize only products approved by NOS
Sustainable soil management
“Preventative” strategies for pest and weed control
Integrated farming plans that promote
“sustainability”

Organic Certification
Requirements for certification
Include the following:
Intended practices and procedures + frequency of use
Soil management strategies
List of substances used, sources, composition, availability
Description of monitoring techniques
Record keeping procedures
Buffer zones strategies with non-organic producers

Organic Certification
Requirements for certification
Income-based requirement for certification
Producers with gross income <$5,000 are exempt
Small producers can still market as organic (label restrictions)
Must still adhere to NOS standards

Organic Certification
Certification Application
Identify the appropriate NOP approved certification agency (most states have one or more agencies)
Obtain application materials
Develop a certifiable organic production plan
Identify and work with the appropriate inspector
Meet transitional requirements (3 year history)
Schedule farm and plan inspections
Complete and submit an Organic Production Plan

Organic Certification
Transitional Process (3 years):
Document long-term farm history
Show plans to maintain organic integrity
Meet exclusionary terms for non-approved materials
Supply a long-term soil management plan
Establish buffers with non-organic producers
Keep appropriate production records
Avoid application of non-approved materials

Organic Certification
Certification Details
Certification must be renewed each year
Inspections are completed annually
Changes in operational procedures must be approved
Exemptions must be approved prior to utilization
Some states also require annual registration with a separate organization that controls organic marketing

Organic Integrity
Approved products
Organically certified seed and transplants
Animal or plant-based, non-synthetic nutrient sources
“Organic-based compounds with fungicidal, insecticidal, and herbicidal properties
NOS approved and banned product lists: www.ams.usda.gov/nop/NationalList/ListHome.html

Sustainable Soil Management
Maintenance of soil fertility and “health”
Crop rotations
Soil testing
Use of:
Manures
Cover crops
Green manures
Composts
Supplemental organic fertilizer sources

Pest Prevention Strategies
Diseases
Cropping site selection
Use of resistant crop varieties
Crop rotations
Use of disease free seed and transplants
Crop production and management techniques
(spacing, mulching, roguing, sanitation, etc)

Pest Prevention Strategies
Insects
Beneficial insect maintenance
Row covers
Trap crops
Intercropping
Sanitation
Organic pesticides

Pest Prevention Strategies
Weeds
Land selection
Crop rotation
Use of mulches
Frequent and consistent cultivation
Improving crop competitiveness
Drip irrigation
Weed prevention compounds

Sustainability
Definition:
Use of crop production practices that utilize local renewable resources, create stable farming operations, protect the environment, and meet the concerns of consumer safety
Does “truly sustainable” exist?

Sustainability
Components of agricultural sustainability:
“…ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, culturally appropriate and based on a holistic scientific approach”
NGO Sustainable Agriculture Treaty , Global Forum at Rio de Janeiro, June 1-15, 1992

Sustainability
Components of agricultural sustainability:
“…preserves biodiversity, maintains soil fertility and water purity, conserves and improves the chemical, physical and biological qualities of the soil, recycles natural resources and conserves energy”
NGO Sustainable Agriculture Treaty , Global Forum at Rio de Janeiro, June 1-15, 1992

Sustainability
Components of agricultural sustainability:
“…uses locally available renewable resources, appropriate and affordable technologies and minimizes the use of external and purchased inputs…”
NGO Sustainable Agriculture Treaty , Global Forum at Rio de Janeiro, June 1-15, 1992

Sustainability
Components of agricultural sustainability:
“…respects the ecological principles of diversity and interdependence and uses the insights of modern science to improve rather than displace the traditional wisdom…”
NGO Sustainable Agriculture Treaty , Global Forum at Rio de Janeiro, June 1-15, 1992

Success – Choice of Location
Features of a good “organic” location
Accessible to profitable markets
Land with appropriate isolation
Good soil
Access to a source of clean water
Historically free of serious pest and weed problems

Success – Crop Choice
Choosing crops to grow
Market preferences
Profitability
Competitiveness
Fertility requirements
Potentially difficult production problems

Success – Crop Choice
Ease of organic production by crop
Pumpkin
Snap bean
Tomatoes
Onion
Easy
Easy
Occasional insects
Root and pod diseases
Medium Insects and diseases
Medium Fertility, insects, weeds
Broccoli
Sweet corn
Difficult
Difficult
Fertility and insects
Fertility and insects
(dependent on climate and geographical location)

Successful - Marketing
Marketing organically-produced vegetables
Wholesale vs retail
Individual direct marketing
Establishment of a CSA
( http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ )
Cooperatives and farmer’s market organizations
Matching demand and supply
Extending the marketing season (off-season)

Marketing – roadside stand

Marketing –
Establishing a
CSA operation

Marketing – farmer’s market

Marketing – specialty grocers

Marketing – chain stores

Marketing – organic cooperatives