Caribbean Permaculture Consultants. copyright 2014 Caribbean Permaculture Consultants Limited

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1 Caribbean Permaculture Consultants copyright 2014 Caribbean Permaculture Consultants Limited

2 USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.

3 USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Organic is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. The principal guidelines for organic production are to use materials and practices that enhance the ecological balance of natural systems and that integrate the parts of the farming system into an ecological whole.

4 USDA National Organic Standards Board Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are completely free of residues; however, methods are used to minimize pollution from air, soil and water.

5 USDA National Organic Standards Board Organic food handlers, processors and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people.

6 Principles of Organic Agriculture (OA) Health Soil, crops, livestock Fairness Precaution, Responsibility, Accountability OA Care Environment, every person, future generations Ecology Diversity, Recycling

7 Economic Benefits Fastest growing food sector in the world Growth at % per year Demand increasing Organic products are generally higher priced and may have higher profit margins to growers No exposure to dangerous chemicals

8 Challenges Labor-intensive Manual weeding, mulching and mulch collection, observation Challenges with obtaining organic seed and organic farming products in Trinidad Record keeping Cost of certifying and recertification No certifying body in Trinidad

9 Becoming certified Choose a certifying body for the market you are targeting Choose a recognized certification organization Read the organic standards Write an organic management plan Apply for certification Begin farm conversion (3 yr conversion) Have farm inspected and implement recommendations Submit inspection records Receive Organic certification contract

10 Certification Bodies/Groups USDA IFOAM Europe (EU and non-eu) Japan Australia Jamaica (JOAM)

11 Conversion Do soil tests for past usage of persistant pesticides (DDT, malathione, Aldrin) Land must be 5 years free from anything GMO (genetically modified organisms) Train staff to inform about cultural and harvest practices Obtain organic seed stock or begin conversion of nongmo conventional crops Record keeping is essential

12 Conversion 3 year conversion time to begin to establish balance in your system Begin small to build experience, set aside small area with a buffer zone New areas under bush can become organic immediately but proper land clearing techniques must be applied Work with other organic growers Attend courses, workshops and find info in book and on the internet

13 Conversion Full Organic Certification Year 0-1 : pre-certification [no certification status] Year 1-3 : in conversion to organic certified [produce still considered conventional] Year 3+ : full organic certified verified compliance with standards Penalties Cancelation of certification for breach of rules and /or failure to comply with standards

14 Organic Management Plans (OMP) A written farm management plan dealing with issues that are normally on a farm Documents and records Details of all farm activities and practices Audit trail Details of how produce can be traced from farm to point of sale Whole farm conversion Details and approximate time frame for whole farm conversion

15 Organic Management Plans (OMP) Farm water and irrigation Details of source, quality, monitoring of risks, soil moisture. Pest, disease and weed management What to anticipate, how you will manage Biodiversity How will you maintain and enhance Hazard analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Potential hazards and mitigation of risks Waste management How is waste dealt with