Q&A

DEAR NEW FARM:

I bought a tree farm two years ago that the owner says has never had herbicides, pesticides or any commercial fertilizer applied to it. Armed with this information, I would assume I could call it organic? How do I go about getting an organic accreditation?

Thanking you in advance.
Lora Peterson

DEAR LORA:

If you can get an affidavit from the previous owner that no prohibited substances were used, you may be able to circumvent the required three-year transition period. You will, however, still need to work through a USDA-accredited certification agency to complete an organic farm plan and to have your operation inspected.

Here's a link to the national Organic Rule: www.ams.usda.gov/NOP/indexIE.htm. And here's a link to our directory of certifiers: www.newfarm.org/ocdbt/, so you can find someone in your area to work with.

NF

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