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Organic Agriculture in Fresno

What does it mean to be Organic?  An organic farmer does not use any materials that are synthetic, and is only allowed to use organic products (products from things that are or were living; or natural earth products).  Products such as lime or gypsum or sulfur are often approved, but not necessarily all.  It depends on the source and/or inactive ingredients in the brand.  Generally, anything found on the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) or the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) lists are approved, but the farmer should check with their individual certifier to be sure.  In any case, the product must be listed on the certifiers and state forms before it can be used.  There is also a 3-year transition period before a farmer can become organic, unless they can show nothing has been applied to the land.

Do organic producers use pesticides?  Yes and no.  Many do not use any pesticides at all, however quite a few can and still use certain organic pesticides.  A pesticide is anything that kills a pest.  Pyganic is derived from chrysanthemum flowers and is approved for organic farms.  Other products such as BT, sulfur, neem oil are generally safe to use but they are still considered pesticides.  Many farmers also use insect attractant crops, lacewings and ladybird beetles, parasitic wasps, and other disease causing organisms like BT.

The Process involves application forms from the local county ag commissioner and an Organic Systems Plan (OSP) from the certifier.  An inspection of the farm is done by the certifier and when various fees have been paid and requirements met, the farmer receives a certificate from the certifier and a registration number from the state.