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GETTING TO “NOW” The History of Organic Agriculture & Its Regulation

GETTING TO “NOW” The History of Organic Agriculture & Its Regulation. George Kuepper The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Washington University Organic Farming Studies: Mid- to Late 1970s

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GETTING TO “NOW” The History of Organic Agriculture & Its Regulation

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  1. GETTING TO “NOW”The History of Organic Agriculture & Its Regulation George Kuepper The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture

  2. Washington University Organic Farming Studies: • Mid- to Late 1970s • Western Corn Belt States: Illinois, Iowa, E. Nebraska, S. Minnesota, & N. Missouri • Agronomic Crop & Livestock Farms • Farms Comparable in Size to Neighbors; about 20% smaller on average • Comparable Mechanization • Minimum 5 Years in Organic Production • Sales Into the Conventional Marketplace

  3. Washington University Organic Farming Studies: • Major Findings • Existence of commercial-scale organic farming in the Corn Belt, operating within the conventional marketplace. • Organic farms used 2/5ths as much fuel to produce one dollar’s worth of crop as conventional farms. • Organic Farms had 1/3rd less soil erosion than conventional farms based on crop rotations and diversity. • Organic farms sequestered slightly more carbon in their soils; no P or K depletion. • Organic farms had lower yields of corn (about 10%), comparable yields of soybeans, and required about 12% more labor per dollar of crop produced. • Lower organic yields and higher labor costs were offset by lower input costs resulting in generally similar net returns per acre.

  4. Washington University Organic Farming Studies: Selected Publications Lockeretz, Wm., G. Shearer, S. Sweeney, G. Kuepper, D. Wanner, & D.H. Kohl. 1980. Maize Yields and Soil Nutrient Levels With and Without Pesticides and Standard Commercial Fertilizers. Agronomy Journal, Vol. 72, p. 65–72. Shearer, G., D.H. Kohl, D. Wanner, G. Kuepper, S, Sweeney, & Lockeretz. 1981. Crop Production Costs and Returns on Midwestern Organic Farms: 1977 and 1978. Amer. J. Agr. Econ., Vol. 63, No. 2, p. 264–269. Lockeretz, Wm., G. Shearer, & D.H. Kohl. 1981. Organic Farming in the Corn Belt. Science, Vol. 211, p. 540–546. USDA Study Team on Organic Farming. 1980. Report and Recommendations on Organic Farming. USDA. July. 94 p. http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/USDAOrgFarmRpt.pdf

  5. The Organic Market is Booming… • 2007 US Organic Sales Estimated at $20+ billion • 20% Increase in Organic Sales from 2006 • Organics approaching 3% of total food sales in the U.S. • OTA 2007 Manufacturer Survey

  6. Organic Market Growth Since 1994 Source: Nutrition Business Journal, annual Nutr, OTA 2007 Manufacturer Survey

  7. Evolution Of and the Influences On American Organic Farming F.H. King J.I. Rodale Wm. Albrecht OFPANA/ OTA NOP Standard Implemented Pioneers Organizations Events R. Steiner & Anthroposophy A. Howard E. Balfour Silent Spring USDA’s Organic Report OFPA L. Bromfield E. Pfeiffer USDA National Standard Countercultural Influences Environmental Consciousness Organic By Neglect Organic Certification & Industry Standards Sustainable Practices from the Asian Continent Certified Organic Production Convertible Husbandry (America Mid-1800s) Humus Farming Organic Farming Eco-Agriculture Integrated Production, etc. High Farming (Europe 1800s) Agroecology & Permaculture Demeter Certified Production Biodynamics ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006

  8. Feed the Soil, Not the Plant. Organic Soil Management — An Old Saying among Organic Farmers

  9. The Soil Food Web

  10. The Law of Return Organic Soil Management In humus/organic farming, the Law of Return refers to the return of organic materials to the soil, not merely the replacement of chemical nutrients.

  11. Plant Nutrition Under Natural Conditions Source of plant nutrition: - plant residues - animal remains - animal wastes Organic Matter Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere: TheSoil Food Web Plant Roots Parent Rock Material Soluble Minerals Organic Compounds Other Benefits

  12. Conventional Management Organic Matter as Crop Residues Conventional Soluble Fertilizers ζ Pesticides and some synthetic fertilizers are toxic and weaken the soil food web ζ Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere: TheSoil Food Web ζ Soluble Minerals Parent Rock Material Plant Roots Soluble Minerals Organic Compounds Other Benefits

  13. Humus Farming/Organic Management Organic Materials and Methods: Composts Crop Residues Green Manures Livestock Manures Natural Fertilizers Biological Inoculants Rotations w/ sod crops Organic Matter Digestive processes and nutrient recycling in the Rhizosphere: TheSoil Food Web Soluble Minerals Parent Rock Material Plant Roots Soluble Minerals Organic Compounds Other Benefits

  14. Because of its roots in humus farming, organic farming is traditionally viewed as, and labeled as, a “soil-based” production system.

  15. Conventional Crop Management Paradigm Weed Management Crop Nutrition Disease Management Insect Pest Management ☼ Compartmentalized ☼

  16. Pest Management Benefits Soil & Soil Fertility Benefits Innate resistance/tolerance N self-sufficiency Induced resistance/tolerance Access to native fertility Nutrient banking Disease suppression in the soil Nutrient bioavailability Biocontrol above ground Reduced erosion Pest life-cycle disruption Reduced leaching Weed seedbank reduction Soil water retention Shift in weed populations Nutrient cycling Ease of cultivation for weed control Better tilth SYSTEM ELEMENTS Crop rotation Sanitation Soil-building crops N-fixing crops Resistant varieties Soil/water conservation Refugia Reduced toxics Manure/waste recycling

  17. HEALTHY SOCIETY HEALTHY SOIL HEALTHY PEOPLE HEALTHY FOOD

  18. Evolution Of and the Influences On American Organic Farming F.H. King J.I. Rodale Wm. Albrecht OFPANA/ OTA NOP Standard Implemented Pioneers Organizations Events R. Steiner & Anthroposophy A. Howard E. Balfour Silent Spring USDA’s Organic Report OFPA L. Bromfield E. Pfeiffer USDA National Standard Countercultural Influences Environmental Consciousness Organic By Neglect Organic Certification & Industry Standards Sustainable Practices from the Asian Continent Certified Organic Production Convertible Husbandry (America Mid-1800s) Humus Farming Organic Farming Eco-Agriculture Integrated Production, etc. High Farming (Europe 1800s) Agroecology & Permaculture Demeter Certified Production Biodynamics ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2006

  19. ORGANIC Counterculture Vision of Organic Alternative Delivery Systems Alternative Production Mode Countercuisine Adapted from: Pollan, Michael. 2006. The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Penguin Press, New York. 450 p.

  20. • Mid 60s–70s, budding organic industry • Mid-70s: First State Legislation; CA & OR • 1973: First Private Certification Program; CCOF • 1975–1980: Washington University Studies • 1980: USDA Study of Organic Ag Released • Mid-80s: OFPANA (later became OTA) • 1989: Alar Scare • 1990 OFPA Passed by Congress HIGHLIGHTS OF US ORGANIC INDUSTRY & REGULATION: 1960s–1980s

  21. • 1990 Legislation: Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) Created the National Organic Program and the National Organic Standards Board The National Organic Program or NOP is the Federal body responsible for writing, interpreting and enforcing the Regulations The National Organic Standards Board or NOSB advises the NOP on interpretation of the Regulations and has statutory responsibility for the content of the National List—which details synthetic materials allowed and natural products prohibited in organic production and processing. The NOSB is comprised of 15 members from the organic community appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Federalization of Organic Agriculture in the U.S.

  22. • 1997: Regulation: First Draft of National Standard 2000 (spring) Revised Draft 2000 (winter) Final Rule/Standard Released 2002 (October) Full Implementation The Federalization of Organic Agriculture in the U.S.

  23. Equivalent Terms • USDA Organic Regulation(s) • Final Rule of the National Organic Program • National Organic Standard • 7 CFR; Part 205

  24. National Organic Standard Addresses: √ Production System √ Handling/Processing Scale of Production Food Miles Social Justice

  25. ORGANIC USDA Vision of Organic Alternative Delivery Systems Alternative Production Mode Countercuisine Adapted from: Pollan, Michael. 2006. Omnivore’s Dilemma. Penguin Press, New York. 450 p.

  26. Organic by Neglect Wild Harvest Organic Hydroponics Humus Farming Biodynamics Input Substitution Systems Addressed by the National Organic Standard

  27. ATTRA Resources Organic Farm Certification & the NOP http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organcert.pdf Organic Crop Production Overview http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organiccrop.pdf Organic Crops Workbook http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/cropsworkbook.pdf Organic Materials Compliance http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/organicmaterials.pdf Org. Orchard, Vineyard, and Berry Crop Doc. Forms http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/orchardforms.pdf Forms, Documents, and Sample Letters for Org, Prod. http://www.attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/PDF/producerforms.pdf

  28. The Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education ServicePO Box 339, Spring Valley, WI 54767Tel: 715-772-3153Fax: 715-772-3162info@mosesorganic.orgwww.mosesorganic.org Guidebook for Organic Certification http://www.mosesorganic.org/attachments/hwguidebook06.pdf

  29. Kerr Center Resources Publications: Small Organic Farms & Local Markets: How to Assess Organic Compliance Organic Foods: What Do We Need to Know About Them? Organic Production in Oklahoma: Q&A Information Packets: Organic…Is It For Me? Organics in the Midsouth…What are the Challenges? Organic: Making the Transition The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, P.O. Box 588, Poteau, OK 74953; Tel: 918-647-9123; http://www.kerrcenter.com/

  30. Thanks for your attention! George Kuepper The Kerr Center P.O. Box 588 Poteau, OK 74953 918-647-9123 gkuepper@kerrcenter.com http://www.kerrcenter.com/

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