Organic Farming Field Plan

Organic Certification and the Organic Farming Field Plan

In October, 2002, the USDA implemented a National Organic Plan (NOP) to standardize organic farming practices.  Prior to that time, organic farming was not standardized, and anything could be called “organic.”  An “organic” tomato might be a tomato raised on a Superfund Site, and picked by a “natural” illegal alien farm worker. Now, in order to produce “organic” food, a farmer must submit an organic farming field plan to a certification agency.  The USDA has established certain things that must be in the plan, and each state decides if there are further requirements.

An organic farming field plan must include specific information, such as:
• Farming practices and procedures, including how often they are performed.
• A list of each and every substance that is used in organic farming, including what it is made of, where it comes from, where it will be used and how available it is.
• How the farmer will monitor his farm to make sure his plan is followed.
• The records he will keep to prove that he is complying with certification requirements.
• If he uses only part of his farm for organic farming, how he will keep the organic and non-organic portions separate.

In addition, many states require the farmer to submit a field history with the organic farming field plan.  Most states will not certify a farm as “organic” until it has been farmed organically for three years; some states will, however, grant a “transitional” certification after the first year of organic farming.

Many times an organic farmer also has an organic farming field plan for crop rotation.  Part of organic farming is rotating crops so that the soil isn’t depleted by overfarming.  An organic farming field plan for crop rotation is a three- five- or seven year plan of rotating different crops, and may include a fallow year, where the land is allowed to rest.

Since the NOP regulations were put into effect, you are assured that if you buy “organic” vegetables they really are grown according to organic farming practices.  The farmer who grew the vegetables has submitted documentation—an organic farming field plan—that guarantees it.

Sheepdrove Organic Farm - The Organic Farm Plan...

A Certified Organic CSA farm in Southern Ontario. Growing fresh produce that is available through a seasonal share and at many local markets. Locally grown, harvested fresh, chemical free!"