regulatory requirements

WHAT IS AN ORGANIC SYSTEMS PLAN?
Meagan Collins, an organic inspector, provides a detailed overview of the USDA standards for organic crop production. Do you want a thorough overview of the entire requirements, including buffer zones, farming practices, manure application, seed/planting stock, disease/pest management, fertilizer, etc? This video is for you.

What is an Organic Systems Plan?

Tags: animation, application, bite by bite, buffer zones, disease manangement, manure, OSP, pest management, planting stock, regulatory requirements, seeds

ORGANIC PRODUCTION: A SYSTEMS APPROACH
Before reaching for a quick solution for pests or disease, organic farmers must use a systems approach to mitigate problems before they arise. Organic Inspector, Meagan Collins, explains.

Organic Production: A Systems Approach

Tags: allowed substances, bite by bite, control methods, management strategies, prohibited substances, regulatory requirements, whole system approach

INPUTS
How do farmers decide when to use inputs? What must be done prior to using an input? Hear directly from organic inspector, Meagan Collins, about the details.

Inputs

Tags: approval, bite by bite, OSP, regulatory requirements, verification, whole system approach

SPLIT/PARALLEL OPERATIONS
What does it mean to have a split or parallel operation? Hear from an organic inspector about what you need to know in order to maintain the organic integrity of your crops, if you’re also growing conventional crops.

Split/Parallel Operations

Tags: bite by bite, commingling, contamination, integrity, labeling, recordkeeping, regulatory language, regulatory requirements

LABELING
Curious about the regulations on labeling organic products once you’re certified? Hear the details from seasoned distributor, Mitch Blumenthal, and organic farmer, Eva Worden, Ph.D.

Labeling

Tags: bite by bite, certifier approval, integrity, logo, regulatory requirements

ISLAND GROVE AG PRODUCTS: A PARALLEL CONVENTIONAL/ORGANIC OPERATION
Nestled in Lochloosa, FL, Ken Patterson owns 197 acres of blueberries, most of which is certified organic. Originally motivated by the economic benefits of the organic market, he transitioned land in phases. Their harvest, flagging and recordkeeping systems prevent commingling and their cleaning protocols allow for equipment to be utilized in both growing systems.

Island Grove Ag Products: A Parallel Conventional/Organic Operation

Tags: bite by bite, commingling prevention, equipment cleaning, large scale, post-harvest handling, recordkeeping, regulatory requirements, transition