Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Inc
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VERMONT ORGANIC FARMERS CERTIFICATION GUIDELINES 2018 Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC (VOF) and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Inc. (NOFA-VT) Vermont Organic Farmers, LLC (VOF) Is the USDA accredited organic certification program of NOFA-VT. NOFA-VT Is a non-profit association of consumers, gardeners and farmers who share a vision of local, organic agriculture. Through education and member participation, NOFA works together to strengthen agriculture in Vermont. Please join us! As a member, you will receive subscriptions to NOFA's regional quarterly publication The Natural Farmer, NOFA-VT’s quarterly newsletter, NOFA Notes, NOFA-VT’s monthly e-news, and you will receive a copy of the Vermont Organic Farm & Food Directory. You will also receive reduced rates at NOFA's annual conference, seasonal workshops, farming supplies and discounts on books and publications. For additional information on membership and NOFA's work, please contact: NOFA-VT · PO Box 697 · Richmond, VT 05477 (802) 434-4122 (NOFA) · (802) 434-3821 (VOF) [email protected] or [email protected] www.nofavt.org 2 Executive Committee Annette Higby, Randolph, VT 728-4955 Brian Norder, Fairfax, VT 849-2000 Sam Smith, Charlotte 985-8018 Review Committee Paul Betz, E Calais, VT 456-8757 Annie Claghorn, Leicester, VT 247-3979 Dave Folino, Bristol, VT 989-5574 Anne Lazor, Westfield, VT 744-6855 Tim Sanford, South Royalton, VT 763-7981 Administration 434-3821 Enid Wonnacott, Executive Director Nicole Dehne, Certification Director Rachel Fussell, Certification Specialist (Crop & Livestock) Winston Rost, Certification Specialist (Processing & Maple) Gregg Stevens, Certification Specialist (Maple, Vegetable & Diverse Operations) Stephanie Walsh, Certification Specialist (Dairy & Livestock) Katy Lash, Certification Program Assistant Laura Nunziata, Quality Assurance Specialist 3 I. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 11 A. Principles ............................................................................................................................... 11 B. Explanation of Terms ............................................................................................................ 12 C. Organizational Structure ....................................................................................................... 12 II. CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY .................................................................................. 13 A. Admissibility .......................................................................................................................... 13 1) Application Restrictions .......................................................................................................... 13 2) Who May Apply For Certification ............................................................................................ 13 3) Who Must Apply For Certification .......................................................................................... 14 4) Land Requirements (§205.202) ............................................................................................... 14 5) Buffer Requirements (See §205.202) ...................................................................................... 15 6) Split Operation Guidelines ...................................................................................................... 15 III. APPLICATION PROCEDURES ................................................................................. 15 A. How to Apply for Certification ............................................................................................... 15 B. Application and Record Keeping Requirements (§205.103 & 205.201) .................................. 17 C. Farm Certification Application Checklist ................................................................................ 19 D. Processor Certification Application Checklist ........................................................................ 19 E. Application Deadlines ........................................................................................................... 20 F. 2017 Certification Fees (§205.642) ........................................................................................ 21 1) Determining your Certification Fee: ........................................................................................ 22 2) Refunds: .................................................................................................................................. 22 I. SOIL MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................ 25 A. Soil Fertility (§205.203) ......................................................................................................... 25 1) Monitoring .............................................................................................................................. 25 2) Soil Amendments, Fertilizers & Growth Promoters ................................................................ 25 4 a) Nitrogen sources ................................................................................................................. 26 b) Phosphorous Sources ......................................................................................................... 26 c) Potassium Sources .............................................................................................................. 27 d) Calcium Sources .................................................................................................................. 27 e) Magnesium Sources ............................................................................................................ 28 f) Micronutrient Sources ........................................................................................................ 28 g) Growth Promoters, Activators & Inoculants ...................................................................... 28 h) Inputs Derived from GMO materials .................................................................................. 29 3) Manure Management (205.203(c)(1)) .................................................................................... 29 4) Compost -NOSB Compost Task Force Recommendation ........................................................ 30 B. Soil Erosion & Water Quality (§205.203(a)) ........................................................................... 31 C. Tillage (§205.203 (a)) ............................................................................................................. 31 D. Rotations (§205.203(b) & §205.205) ...................................................................................... 31 II. CROP MANAGEMENT .......................................................................................... 32 A. Buffer Requirements (See §205.202) ..................................................................................... 32 1) Residential Properties ............................................................................................................. 33 2) Utility Poles ............................................................................................................................. 33 3) Town Roads ............................................................................................................................. 34 4) State Highways ........................................................................................................................ 34 5) Railroads.................................................................................................................................. 34 6) GMO Corn ............................................................................................................................... 34 7) Aerial Spraying ........................................................................................................................ 35 B. Seeds and Planting Stock (See §205.204) ............................................................................... 35 1) Genetically engineered seeds or plants .................................................................................. 35 2) Potting mixes........................................................................................................................... 35 3) Seeds, Annual Seedlings and Planting Stock ........................................................................... 35 C. Greenhouse Practices ............................................................................................................ 39 1) New Greenhouses (§205.105 and 205.206 (f)) ....................................................................... 39 2) Use of Existing Greenhouses (§205.105 and 205.206 (f)) ....................................................... 39 D. Bedding & Greenhouse Plants, Perennials, Nursery Stock & Ornamentals ............................ 40 1) Sources-Annuals ...................................................................................................................... 40 2) Sources-Perennials .................................................................................................................. 40 E. Irrigation and Wash Water .................................................................................................... 40 5 F. Washing Protocol for Sprayers Previously Used in Conventional Production: ....................... 41 G. Shared Equipment Recommendations: