USDA Announces Organic Program Handbook

USDA published the "first edition of a program handbook designed for those who own, manage, or certify organic operations" recently, according a news release from the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

The handbook gives guidance about the National Organic Program standards and "will help participants comply with federal regulations."  The handbook "provides guidance on the allowance of green waste in organic production systems, approval of liquid fertilizers in organic production, certification of organic yeast, processed animal manures in organic crop production, reassessed inert ingredients, and the calculation of dry matter intake for NOP's access to pasture requirements."

In addition, the handbook includes "instructions concerning organic certification such as recordkeeping, steps to certification," organic certificates, and accreditation procedures.

The National Organic Program handbook is available here.

To read the AMS news release, click here.

Posted: 09/07/2010