INVESTIGATIVE SKILLS WORKSHEET

The following scenarios are examples of common problems encountered by inspectors. This exercise has been used at IOIA inspector trainings to identify questions an inspector would ask in order to identify points where loss of organic integrity may occur (organic control points) and steps that may be taken to minimize the risk. Asking the question often helps the producer understand why there may be a risk and come up with workable solutions to decrease that risk.

Many of these scenarios fit different types of farming. For instance, #1 is asking about the specific problem of custom combining and using shared equipment for harvesting organic crops. For this exercise, first identify the main issues and then determine what questions should be asked, or further information gathered, in order to file a complete inspection report about the issue described in the scenario, given the following circumstances. Refer to a copy of the organic standards you are using, and chapters on Inspecting Organic Crops, Organic Farm Audit Trail, IOIA Farm Narrative Report Guide, Risk Assessment, and On-Farm Processing if you need help. What other scenarios can you come up with that fit the region where you inspect?

1. Farmer Hank has requested certification of 200 acres of corn, 200 acres of barley, and 100 acres of soybeans, and plans to have all crops custom combined. What further information is needed concerning the harvesting of these crops?

2. A farmer is seeking certification of spring-harvested spinach in field #1 in 2003 and states the last prohibited material on the field was during 2000. The field history records show than herbicide was used only on field #1 in 2000. The farmer tells you that the herbicide was a pre-emergence, and due to this fact the application probably had been done sometime in the spring. What further information should you gather for your report?

3. During inspection you see row crop planted and cultivated that are running parallel to the slope and you express concern over the significant soil erosion that you see. The farmer says that erosion is unavoidable on his farm, no chemicals are used and his farm had been certified in the past so why are you so concerned? How should you respond?

4. During the inspection of a produce farm, you observe that plastic mulch is being used to suppress weeds. What additional information is needed?

WI Investigative Skills Worksheet 2002 HB Page 1 of 4 5. During inspection of a farm seeking certification of all crops, you learn that last fall the farmer burned diseased prunings from his apple orchard. On further discussion, it was learned that the prunings were placed in the wheat field, which was then burned because the farmer did not have sufficient tillage equipment to incorporate his wheat straw. How should you respond?

6. During the inspection you learn that the rotation is wheat-fallow and are told that all other rotations will rob fertility and soil moisture. What discussions will you have with the grower and what further information should you gather?

7. During inspection the farmer tells you that the on-farm solid manure that they apply to some of their sloping vegetable fields is not required to be composted because it is applied in late December and this meets the standard of application of raw manure to a field 120 days prior to harvest of a human consumed crop whose edible portion is in contact with soil particles. What further information should you gather? Is there any standard that may be violated?

8. During the inspection of an on-farm edible sprout operation; the producer explains that the seeds used for the sprouts were not organically produced and that this is allowed because these types of seeds were not commercially available. What information should you obtain and how should you respond?

9. During the inspection you learn that the farmer is using rotenone to control pests. What further information should you gather?

WI Investigative Skills Worksheet 2002 HB Page 2 of 4 10. The farm you are inspecting is seeking certification for broiler chickens. Chicks are purchased at three days old from the same place that supplies certified organic chicken feed to this operation to supplement their on- farm produced chicken feed. Water is from the on-site domestic well, living conditions supply sufficient freedom of movement and access to the outdoors. What further questions do you have?

11. During a beef cattle inspection, you note that the holding pens are built with treated lumber. What questions should you ask?

12. During an inspection, you are told that organic edible beans will be stored in the brother-in-law’s bin, 10 miles from the farm that you are inspecting. What should you do and what further information should you gather?

13. While conducting an inspection, you notice an anhydrous ammonia tank parked behind the machine shed. What questions should you ask and what can you do to verify the farmer’s answers?

14. A 5-acre vegetable producer with a small greenhouse for starting transplants used treated seeds for some of the peppers and watermelons, and all of the sweet corn, but obtained untreated seeds for all other crops. All crops are requested for certification. What information is needed about the seeds and seedlings?

15. When you arrive at the farm, the farmer requesting certification informs you that she plans to rent a neighbor's 56-acre field and believes it should qualify. What information does the inspector need to gather in order to verify that the field is certifiable?

WI Investigative Skills Worksheet 2002 HB Page 3 of 4 16. A 90-acre citrus grove is being converted to organic production at 10 acres/year, using conventional poultry manure as the primary fertility input. What further information concerning the fertility management program is needed?

17. Tobacco has been planted on 5 acres requested for certification and 5 acres in 1st year transition. In order for the field requested for certification to be approved, what information is needed to assure that no co-mingling will occur?

18. A 160 acre organic corn field is bordered on the north by a railroad track, on the south and east by gravel roads, and on the west by a neighbor's conventional wheat field. The crop is planted right to the edge of the field on all sides, and the farmer didn't realize that a buffer zone is required when contamination risk is present. What further information is needed and what specific recommendations would you make in your inspection report?

19. An organic orchard located is irrigated with water from a shallow well on the property. This is a first time certification request. What further information on the irrigation practices is needed in order to file a complete inspection report?

20. During your call to set the appointment for the inspection of a 30-acre nut grove, you ask the grower if the nuts are hulled on the farm. You are told that the nuts are hulled at a processing facility 10 miles from the grove. What steps need to be followed concerning the custom hulling in order for the nuts to be certified organic?

WI Investigative Skills Worksheet 2002 HB Page 4 of 4