[Terrapreta] USDA organic certification standards

[Sean K. Barry]

Hi Jeff,

I like that idea;  have organic and industrial farmers aspire to become "Terra Preta farmers".

I read through parts of that "NOPSummary2006.pdf" document that Doug Clayton referenced.  The title of that document is "USDA NAtional Organic Program Rule Summary".  I called the office of one of the authors, Jim Riddle.  I spoke with one of his associates, a Joyce Ford about what it would take to get charcoal approved as a soil amendment for organic farmers to use.  She immediately referred me not to section 205.203, but rather to 205.600. ... to wit ...



Section 205.601 goes on to list allowed substances used in the production of organic crops (charcoal is not there, YET!) and section 205.602 list prohibited substances (charcoal isn't there, YEAH!).

Ms. Ford also referred me to an organization in Eugene, Oregon, called the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI).  This group is an example of a group people (ther are others, I guess), who we would need to convince, so that they would put "charcoal" on the NOP Rules Summary as an approved substance to use as a soil amendment in the production of organic crops.

Regards,

Sean K. Barry
Principal Engineer/Owner
Troposphere Energy, LLC
11170 142nd St. N.
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 351-0711 (Home/Fax)
(651) 285-0904 (Cell)
sean.barry at juno.com<mailto:sean.barry at juno.com>

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Davis<mailto:jeff0124 at velocity.net> 
  To: terrapreta at bioenergylists.org<mailto:terrapreta at bioenergylists.org> 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2007 6:28 PM
  Subject: [Terrapreta] USDA organic certification standards


  Dear Tom,

  Maybe we should be Terra Preta Farmers? We would write our own rules and
  regulations. Later, if we find the time, we could help the organic farmers
  rewrite their rules! Get the idea?


  Just a though,

  Jeff


  ****************************************************

  Tom wrote:
  If there is a special value of charcoal for the organic farmer then we need
  to start the process to make sure that the door is not closed to charcoal in
  this high value market.  Organic farmers may be more disposed to using
  charcoal than others.

  ****************************************************

  Douglas Clayton wrote:
  Ran across this last night:
  §205.203 Soil fertility and crop nutrient management practice standard.
  1. Standards require organic producers to select tools (e.g., tillers,
  plows) and practices that maintain
  improve soil quality and minimize soil erosion.
  2. Producers are required to utilize crop rotations, cover crops and plant
  and animal materials
  maintain or improve soil organic matter content in a manner that does not
  contribute to contamination
  of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, pathogens, heavy metals, or
  residues of prohibited substances.
  3. Prohibits the use of raw manure unless it is incorporated into the soil
  more than 120 days prior
  harvest for crops for human consumption whose edible portion is in direct
  contact with the soil
  particles; or 90 days prior to harvest for crops whose edible portion does
  not contact soil or soil
  4. Defines compost as material that has an initial C:N ratio of between 25:1
  and 40:1. Requires
  to reach specific temperature parameters for specific time periods. If
  produced according to requirements,
  compost can be applied at any time.
  5. Allows use of uncomposted plant materials.
  6. Allows mined substances of low solubility.
  7. Allows the use of fertility inputs on the National List. Prohibits the
  use of synthetic fertilizers
  National List.
  8. Prohibits the burning of crop residues, except to prevent disease or to
  stimulate seed germination.
  9. Ash from the burning of plant or animal material is allowed, but manure
  ash is prohibited.
  10. Micronutrient trace minerals may be used when soil deficiency is
  documented by testing.
  Micronutrients must not be used as defoliants, herbicides, or desiccants.
  Nitrate and chloride
  prohibited.




  -- 
  Jeff Davis

  Some where 20 miles south of Lake Erie, USA

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