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1. ADMISSIBILITY
1.1 Conversion Plan: The Board of Directors and the Certification Review Committee require a conversion plan with the third certification application. This plan must state how you will bring 100% of the land into transition within 5 years of the first certification of any portion of land you own or of which you have long term operational control. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. (OCIA International Certification Standards)
2. CROP ROTATION
2.1 Two-year crop rotation:
Maximum 50% of the rotation, row crop and 50% small grain or fallow with fall cover crop/green manure plow down. (Example: row crop, small grain or fallow with cover crop.)
2.2 Three crop rotation:
Maximum of 2 successive row crops (i.e. corn & soybeans). 1/3 of this rotation must be non-row crop such as small grain or fallow with cover crop/green manure plow down. Cover crops are highly recommended between row crops.
2.3 Four-year rotation:
Maximum of 3 2 successive row crops in a 4 year period. Cover crop/green manure plow down is highly recommended between row crops. Remainder of this rotation must be non-row crop such as, small grain or fallow with cover crop/green manure plow down. (Example: corn-beans-corn-other or beans-corn-beans-other)
2.4 More than Four-year Rotation
Maximum of 3 successive row crops in a 5 year period is allowed Cover crop / green manure plow-down is highly recommended between row crops. Remainder of this rotation must be non-row crop such as small grain or fallow with cover crop / green manure plow-down. [Inter-seeding in corn and beans (row crops) is highly recommended.]
2.5 Mono Cropping
This is a restricted practice that requires prior written approval for the Certification Committee, with the exception of alfalfa, mixed hay, pasture, buckwheat or rye. Beans on beans or corn on corn are not allowed.
Variations - The Certification Committee may consider variations from these rotation guidelines provided you meet the National Organic Program (NOP) standard number 205.205. Rotation exceptions may be granted due to uncontrollable circumstances, such as wet fields, late frost, hail, etc. The exception must be obtained in writing from the certification committee prior to implementation.
Recommendation -- The OCIA MN #1 Certification Review Committee does not recommend planting beans on beans or corn on corn. Rotation decisions should be based on the four points as stated in the NOP standards 205.205 – Crop Rotation Practice (Pages 16-17) -- The producer must implement a crop rotation including but not limited to sod, cover crops, green manure crops, and catch crops that provide the following functions that are applicable to the operation:
- a. Maintain or improve soil organic matter content
- b. Provide for pest management in annual and perennial crops
- c. Manage deficient or excess plant nutrients and
- d. Provide erosion control
- It is our understanding that the final planting decision is up to the producer and that the final certification decision is up to OCIA International Certification Decision Team (CDT).This statement adopted by the committee on April 11, 2006
2.6 Green Manure/Cover Crop
This can be a seeding of rye, vetch, clover, or something similar that is inter-seeded before harvest of the current crop or seeded after harvest. The cover crop must become established prior to incorporation.
- National Organic Program (NOP Page 15) Final Rule 205.203: The producer must manage crop nutrients and soil fertility through rotations, cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials.
2.7 Parallel Production: You must document parallel production from the seed for planting to the sale of crop. Visually distinguishable varieties must be utilized to the maximum extent possible. Documentation must include but is not limited to; record of separate harvest, storage, quantity, and sale of organic and conventional crop. Management plan must be maintained in Audit Trail and available at time of inspection. (OCIA Intl Certification Standards 2004, Page 9, Section 2.2.4)
*As of 2004, an integrity visit is required when a producer requesting certification from OCIA International plants fields of organic and non-organic forms of the same crop that are not visually distinguishable.
3. Manure
3.1 All manure sources and management techniques must be clearly documented as part of the certification process, this includes rates and dates of application. . Raw manure is considered a Restricted Material. See: Materials list - OCIA International Certification Standards-2006. S9.13-14
3.2 Any producer using liquid manure from an on or off farm source needs to supply a signed affidavit from the pit operator stating what, if any additives have been used. If pit additives are used you must obtain a label and submit to the Chapter Office for approval before using liquid manure.
3.3. To avoid over application, test for nutrient value to insure proper rates are applied.
3.4 Composted and or stock piled manures of at least 3 months are allowed.
The National Organic Program (NOP) Final Rule – page 15, #205.203, part © (1) (ii) & (iii) – Raw animal manure must be composted unless it is incorporated into the soil not less than 120 days (four months) prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion has direct contact with the soil surface or soil particles or not less than 90 days prior to the harvest of a product whose edible portion does not have direct contact with the soil surface or soil particles.
3.5 It is recommended that soil temperature must be at least 10 degrees C (50 degrees F.) or higher when raw manure is applied.
*OCIA International Certification Standards 2006, Section 2.8.1 -d.1 – part 2.: At application the soil must be sufficiently warm (about 10 degrees C) and moist to ensure active microbial digestion. Exceptions can be made at the discretion of the certification committee for animal-powered/ground-driven operations.
*Section 3.4 - Manure Mangement
4. Equipment
4.1 Conventional sprayer tanks may be used if they are cleaned out with an acceptable cleaner such as chlorine bleach, peroxide, acid cleaners, then rinsed three times. Cleaning and rinse solution must not be dumped on certified ground. The sprayer can then be used for organic. Sprayers cannot be switched back and forth between conventional and organic practices. You must request prior written approval from the Certification Committee before the use of a fiberglass tank.
4.2 Must maintain written documentation of cleaning equipment used for both organic and conventional production. Example: Planter, combine, augers, wagons, trucks, tillage equipment, etc. Documentation must include date, equipment cleaned, method used, and by whom. This must be maintained in Audit Trail.
4.3 If 100% organic production, document equipment as used for organic only. This includes all production, including any custom work. It would not include equipment used on buffer strips.
5. Flood Lands
5.1 If flooding occurs, we recommend the producer notify the Chapter Office. It may be required to Harvest this The area of the field may be required to be harvested separately due to the possibility of contamination from conventional run off.
6. GMO/GEO
6.1 Use of any GMO (genetically modified organism) / GEO (genetically engineered organism) derived products is prohibited. This includes inoculants. Naturally occurring microbes are allowed. GMO seed must not be planted on any land managed by the producer seeking certification through OCIA. This includes conventional, transitional and organic fields. Planting GMO seed will result in denial of certification. The producer must submit to the Chapter office a letter from the seed or inoculant supplier that verifies Non-GMO status for the seed variety or the inoculant product
7. Restricted Material
7.1 Prior to the use of any restricted material, the producer must obtain written approval from the Certification Committee. Submit an ingredient label of the material in question when seeking approval.
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