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Resources Forum Reference Library Frequently Asked Questions News |
Using Our Products & Organic CertificationAsk a handful of people what 'organic' means and you will receive an array of answers. Definitions and practices of organic agriculture will differ depending upon whether you are talking to a biodynamic organic farmer, a gardener or an organic certifier. Legally, use of the term is now highly regulated by the federal government (see explanation that follows). But, historically and philosophically, the basis of organic agriculture is to farm or garden in rhythm with nature's laws in a sustainable manner that provides a healthy eco-system for all beings involved. How this philosophy is played out in practice varies greatly from individual to individual, organization to organization. PVF&GS PRODUCTS Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply does not assure the conformity of its products to the organic standards of any certifying agency. And, although on this website and in our catalogs we indicate where products are OMRI & WSDA listed, and as we can not guarantee that this is always accurate as the status of products can change at any time without our knowledge, always verify the status of products with those organizations. And, we suggest that you ALWAYS check with YOUR organic certifier to verify the acceptability of any product you intend you use. HISTORY The Federal Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 standardized US organic farming practices so consumers could expect consistent use of the word organic. Public participation in the implementation process was broad- based and the resulting regulations reflect concerns of the organic industry and consumers. National Organic Program (NOP) regulations took effect in 2002, and whether you buy or sell organic products, this program impacts you. We are happy to provide whatever information we have that might help you decide if one of our products complies with NOP. We rely on product information from OMRI, product manufacturers, and the public domain. THE NATIONAL ORGANIC PROGRAM The National Organic Program (NOP) rules are not simple, but here is a summary. Certified organic crops must be grown on certified farmland that has not been treated with prohibited pesticides, synthetic fertilizers or other substances for at least 3 years. Certified organic farmland soil health is maintained with crop rotation & other sustainable growing methods to eliminate toxic or persistent synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. NOP strictly prohibits the use of genetic engineering, ionizing radiation, sewage sludge, antibiotics and growth hormones. NOP AND OUR PRODUCTS Certified organic farmers must follow NOP specifications to determine which materials (fertilizers, pesticides etc) they can use. To avoid having to research NOP regulations to make these decisions, the farmer may also rely on the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI - see full explanation below) or manufacturers' statements of compliance. To decide whether a product may be used in organic production, look for products we carry which are flagged as acceptable by either OMRI, the manufacturer, or the Washington State Dept of Ag (WSDA). Also, take a look at the actual regulations, or speak with your certifying agency to make a decision. OMRI AS A GUIDE IN COMPLYING WITH NOP OMRI is an independent organization whose purpose is to evaluate the acceptability of products for organic use and its evaluation process now takes NOP specifications into consideration. While its standards may exceed NOP's, acceptable OMRI status, in general, is usually interpreted as acceptable for NOP. While we have always indicated OMRI-listed products in our catalog, it is important to know that the absence of an OMRI symbol should never be automatically interpreted to mean that a product is not NOP-acceptable. It may mean that the manufacturer has an acceptable product but does not choose to submit their products to OMRI for review - they may want to avoid the expense of the process or may not want to disclose the proprietary data OMRI requires for review. The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) is a nonprofit organization based in Eugene, OR, and started in 1997 to benefit the organic community and the general public. Before OMRI existed, the determination of what materials were allowed, regulated or prohibited in organic production essentially rested on each certifying agency. Many organic certifiers have long relied on OMRI's lists to simplify the process of determining allowable materials. OMRI's primary mission is to provide information collection and dissemination services, as well as expert analysis and recommendations regarding the use of products in organic production. By providing this service, OMRI provides the organic community with the research and information needed so certifiers, growers, handlers, processors, and suppliers can make decisions about materials and products used in organic production. For more information about OMRI, contact them at: ORGANIC MATERIALS REVIEW INSTITUTE P.O Box 11558, Eugene OR 97440, U.S.A. Phone: (541) 343-7600 • Fax: (541) 343-8971 Email: info@omri.org OMRI's website: www.omri.org MANUFACTURER'S STATEMENTS OF NOP COMPLIANCE Independent of OMRI, a manufacturer may attest to NOP-compliance themselves. When a product manufacturer has provided us with a written statement that the ingredients and processing used in the manufacture of the product(s) meets NOP requirements, we indicate this on those products. Although PVFS makes no claim to the accuracy of this information, the law does leave manufacturers open to criminal liability should any statement be found to be false or misleading. If you do not see either the OMRI or NOP symbol on a product in our catalog, that does not necessarily mean that it is not in compliance with NOP. It simply means the manufacturer has not submitted their product to OMRI or made a statement to PVFS. If you are interested in using one of these products and need to make a determination of acceptability, please consult your certification agency, state organic program, or NOP regulations for more information. WSDA We also indicate products which are listed by the Washington State Dept of Agriculture as acceptable to NOP. Again, it is up to you to judge how to use this information, as the listing represents only the opinion of that organic certifier. We offer this only to help guide you in making decisions about products.
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Entire Contents Copyright 1997-2008 Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, Inc. All Rights Reserved. GrowOrganic.com • Everything You Need For Organic Gardening P.O. Box 2209, 125 Clydesdale Court, Grass Valley, CA 95945 • Tel (530) 272-4769 Order Toll Free (888) 784-1722 • Email helpdesk@groworganic.com Site maintained by Euca Design Center |
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