Adding Value with Farmstead Ferments Mary Alionis & Kirsten K. Shockey
Farmer and Fermenter Whistling Duck Farm and Store
Author of Fermented Vegetables Fermentation Educator Ran a small fermentation business from our small holding
tinyurl.com/f2f-laws Forager.com
Ask yourself: What is your primary product? What is your farm doing currently? What do you want your days to look like? What is your story?
Fermentation is the business on the farm. The farm functions to support it with some veggie production.
McCauley Family Farms Foremother Foods, LLC Picaflor Hot Sauce
Farm first Ferments provide: Value-added product Seconds & overages become profits Extending the season with preservation of highly perishable vegetable Diversity at market Labor advantages Diversity of tasks Keeping the labor base in the off-season
From start to end the simplicity makes farm fermentation a low capital investment but high labor input All ages can help
Managing individual micro-ferments One large batch and jar up post fermentation Or
The local Cooperative Extension office is the best place to start. They can help you with the business aspects of value-added food production and point you in the right direction for finding and selecting grants. National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) attar.ncat.org Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) sare.org Grants.gov (VAPG for example) USDA Rural Development Department rurdev.usda.gov Food Incubator Programs Fermentation Information Some science behind vegetable fermentation tinyurl.com/f2f-fao Ferment.works
On-Farm Organic Input Production Amber Lippert Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
Welcome Amber Lippert OMRI Inspections Administrator 541-343-7600 ext. 116 alippert@omri.org
Goals 1. Learn about growth in organics (including inputs) 2. Gain a basic understanding of USDA organic standards and material review 3. Learn about the standards for compost and plant meals 4. Learn how to market products through the OMRI Products List
Agenda Growth of Organic (including inputs) USDA Organic Standards Intro Material Review Intro Compost and Plant Meal Requirements Marketing Products through OMRI Questions
Growth of Organic About 55% increase in organic food sales in 5 years. Organic Trade Association
Growth chart of OMRI Products Similar increase in OMRI Products List (about 45% increase in 4 years)
Growth of Organic Slightly lower number of organic acres in top producing states over 6 years. Organic Consumers Association
Agenda Growth of Organic (including inputs) USDA Organic Standards Intro Material Review Intro Compost and Plant Meal Requirements Marketing Products through OMRI Questions
USDA Organic Standards Managed by USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule (OFPA) published in 2000 US Code of Federal Regulations 7 CFR Part 205
USDA Organic Standards What Can Be Certified Organic? Agricultural Product Any agricultural commodity or product that is marketed in the United States for human or livestock consumption. raw or processed livestock product or commodity
USDA Organic Standards Material Review Organizations Accredited Certifying Agencies Certify end use products Approve input products for organic production
USDA Organic Standards Question: Can input products be certified Organic? Fertilizers Pesticides Compost
USDA Organic Standards Question: Can input products be certified Organic? Mostly NO Some inputs are also certified organic crops. Fertilizers, compost and other inputs cannot be certified organic Listed Registered YES
USDA Organic Standards NOP Rule: 205 A. Definitions B. Applicability C. Organic Production/Handling Requirements D. Labels & Marketing Information E. Certification F. Accreditation of Certifying Agents G. Administrative: - The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
Basic Regulations for Crop Inputs Prohibited Methods Genetic modification Irradiation Sewage sludge How does this apply to input materials? Must not contribute to contamination of crops, soil, or water by plant nutrients, pathogenic organisms, heavy metals, or residues of prohibited substances.
Basic Regulations for Crop Inputs (fertilizers, pesticides ) Synthetic vs. Nonsynthetic In general, Nonsynthetic (natural) substances are allowed e.g., limestone Synthetic substances are prohibited e.g., ammonium phosphate The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances The exceptions! 205.601, allowed synthetics 205.602, prohibited nonsynthetics
Prohibited Nonsynthetic Crop Inputs Ash from Manure burning Arsenic Calcium chloride Lead Salts Potassium Chloride Sodium fluoaluminate (mined) Sodium nitrate (>20% of total N applied) Strychnine Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate)
Allowed Synthetic Crop Inputs (j) As plant or soil amendments (1) Aquatic plant extracts (other than hydrolyzed) Extraction process is limited to the use of potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide; solvent amount used is limited to that amount necessary for extraction. (2) Elemental sulfur. (3) Humic acids naturally occurring deposits, water and alkali extracts only. The List goes on..at 205.601
Agenda Growth of Organic (including inputs) USDA Organic Standards Intro Material Review Intro Compost and Plant Meal Requirements Marketing Products through OMRI Questions
Material Review Material Review Organizations Assessment of substances for compliance with National Organic Program Standards Review and approve input products Fertilizers, soil amendments, pesticides, livestock feed and health care products, equipment cleaners & processed food ingredients
Material Review Verification Programs Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Review inputs exclusively Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Categories similar to OMRI Also a Certification Agency others include CDFA and Ecocert
Material Review OMRI Nonprofit organization Based in Eugene, OR 4,500+ OMRI Listed products from nearly 1,200 input producers Review to USDA NOP and Canadian Organic Standards
Material Review - Input producers that have their products reviewed and listed by OMRI may use the OMRI Seal. - Seal communicates allowance for use in Organics.
Agenda Growth of Organic (including inputs) USDA Organic Standards Intro Material Review Intro Compost and Plant Meal Requirements Marketing Products through OMRI Questions
Compost Allowed feed stocks Nonsynthetic substances not prohibited Synthetics that are approved as plant or soil amendments Examples of prohibited feedstocks Waxed Cardboard, most biodegradable cutlery Compost Pile must be mixed and managed to ensure that all feed stocks heat to at least 131 F for a minimum of 3 days. - Classified as windrow, static, or other
Allowed & Prohibited Feedstocks Plant Material Animal Materials Allowed Synthetics Paper Other Mined minerals Ash Bioplastics Treated Lumber Particle Board Waxed cardboard Glossy, colored paper Trash: Plastic, Glass Biosolids/manure ash
Allowed & Prohibited Feedstocks NOTE! More municipal compost facilities are accepting compostable plastics Paper into yard waste bins. Requires screening step PRIOR to Mined composting mineralsif Ashpresent! Plant Material Animal Materials Allowed Synthetics Other Bioplastics Treated Lumber Particle Board Waxed cardboard Glossy, colored paper Trash: Plastic, Glass Biosolids/manure ash
Compost Methods Static aerated OR in-vessel Windrow long rows managed by bulldozer Other: Pile
OMRI Compost Review Regardless of Category, all composts must: Be composed of allowed materials Have a Foreign Materials Removal or Prevention step PRIOR to composting when feedstocks may contain prohibited biodegradable feedstocks (i.e., biodegradable plastics) Have compliant labs for: Pathogens Heavy Metals Compost log for temps (and turning for windrow)
OMRI Category: Compost (Prohibited) Contains any of the following: Sewage sludge Synthetically fortified compost starter Glossy paper Materials containing colored ink
Category: Compost: in-vessel or static aerated pile (plant & animal materials) Temperature Logs 3 consecutive days of temps between 131-170 F Aeration Forced air to maintain aerobic conditions Typically no mixing Foreign Materials Addressed C:N Ratio
Compost Records Date Temperature ( F) Turn 5/1/11 112 No 5/2/11 116 Yes 5/5/11 125 No 5/6/11 127 No 5/8/11 131 Yes 5/12/11 146 Yes 5/13/11 148 No 5/14/11 152 Yes 5/15/11 156 Yes
Compost windrow (plant & animal materials) Temperature Logs 15 consecutive days of temps between 131-170 F Aeration Windrow must be turned 5 times in same 15 day period Foreign Materials Addressed C:N Ratio
Carbon : Nitrogen Ratio ONLY for FINAL products Listed in the Categories: Compost windrow Compost in-vessel or static aerated pile Lab analysis of initial C:N ratio of feedstocks BEFORE composting Also accept Total N and Total C of combined feedstocks C:N must fall between 25:1 and 40:1
Compost Other (plant & animal materials) Pile Management: Other State how pile is mixed and managed Temperature Logs 3 consecutive days of temps between 131-170 F NOTE: Compost ingredients within final products only have to meet Compost other standards
Compost plant materials Compost that contains no animal materials as feedstocks Pile Management: Other State how pile is mixed and managed Temperature Logs 3 consecutive days of temps between 131-170 F
Raw Manure If manure is used and product does not qualify as a Compost, Processed Manure, or Vermicompost it carries a days to harvest restriction. Edible portion touches soil Apply 120 days before harvest Edible portion does not touch soil 90 days before harvest
Other Ingredients All ingredients present in the final product including colorants, amendments, binders, dust suppressants, microbes, microbe growth media that is not removed, and teas added must also be allowed substances.
Conventional Ag-byproducts Example: Corn Gluten Meal What if it s GMO? A crop input is prohibited if GMO trait has a detectable and measurable impact on crops or soil organisms. Is the GMO trait or protein removed, denatured, or deactivated before application?
Composting is considered to be effective to deactivate the GMO trait in Bt corn. The GMO trait in Bt corn is considered persistent. Without removing the protein or composting the material, it is not allowed for growing organic crops.
What about persistent pesticides? The NOP regulations were established with recognitions that background levels of synthetic pesticides may be present in the environment and, therefore, may be present on organic farms. Referred to in the regulations as unavoidable residual environmental contamination (UREC).
What about persistent pesticides? Composting conventional crops reduces residues, but there are reported cases of crop damage from clopyralid and bifenthrin residues in compost. Compost producer can test sample batches for residues but testing is not currently required. More info: Pacific Ag Laboratories (Oregon) and Pesticide Residues Studies.
Livestock Feed Distinct list of allowed synthetics (205.603) and prohibited nonsynthetics (205.604) All plant and animal materials used in feed must be certified organic Other ingredients must be allowed for use
Questions: Can conventional alfalfa be used as a feedstock for organic compost? YES What about as an ingredient in a feed for certified organic steer? NO
Agenda Growth of Organic (including inputs) USDA Organic Standards Intro Material Review Intro Compost and Plant Meal Requirements Marketing Products through OMRI Questions
We are almost done
Marketing Product OMRI Listing Products that are OMRI Listed must be reviewed and approved. Review time is 3-4 months on average. Submit application, manufacturing process, formula, invoices, label, lab analyses. 12% do not pass review. Contact apply@omri.org before you apply.
Marketing Product OMRI Listing cont. $25 for application and $600 to $900 to apply, more for large companies Liquid fertilizers <3% Nitrogen are inspected prior to Listing 1% of all products are randomly selected for inspection or stream of commerce sampling Products do not need to be OMRI Listed to be used on an organic farm Listed products are easier for producers to find and easier for certifiers to approve
Marketing Product
Marketing Product
Marketing Product On average, almost 600 sessions on the OMRI website per day (over 16,000 website sessions this October).
Resources NOP Rule NOP website OMRI Generic Material Categories www.omri.org Guidances in the NOP Handbook 5021 (Compost & Vermicompost) 5006 (Processed Manure) 5030 (Livestock Feed Ingredients) NRCS Grants for Innovation, USDA grants for Value Added Product business planning & feasibility studies
Questions? Amber Lippert alippert@omri.org Stop by the OMRI booth for an OMRI Products List.