ORGANIC FOODS DEFINED Vegetables, Fruits, and Grains
Meat and Eggs
! Crops must be harvested from land that has not had prohibited synthetic fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides applied within the last three years.
! As with dairy animals, livestock must be fed a ration consisting of 100% organic feed which means they are not receiving conventional, genetically modified corn and soybeans.
! Farmers must manage soil fertility through crop rotation, cover cropping, manure, and compost additions, and approved mineral applications. ! Tillage and cultivation must be done in a way to minimize soil erosion and preserve water quality. ! Producers must use organic seeds and planting stock and may only use approved disease, pest, and weed control measures. ! GMO seeds are prohibited in organic production. In addition, producers must ensure buffers are adequate to prevent contamination drift from neighboring GMO crops. ! The allowable limit of pesticide residue on organic food is 5% what the EPA allows on conventional produce, resulting in safer food for you and your family.
Milk and Other Dairy Products ! Dairy animals must complete a one year transition period before becoming certified. ! Livestock must be fed a ration consisting of 100% organic feed, which means they are not receiving conventional, genetically modified corn and soybeans, and obtain a significant portion of their diet from pasture grasses during the grazing season. ! Farmers must rely on preventative healthcare practices and use only approved treatments when necessary. ! Milk from animals treated with hormones or antibiotics cannot be sold as organic. ! Farmers must maximize animal welfare by raising livestock in an environment where stress is minimized and where they are able to exhibit their natural behaviors such as grazing.
! Ruminant animals (beef, sheep, goats) must also obtain a significant portion of their diet from pasture grasses during the grazing season. ! Pigs and poultry must have access to the outdoors and be able to exhibit their natural behaviors such as rooting and scratching. ! Meat from animals treated with hormones, antibiotics, and synthetic parasiticides cannot be sold as organic.
Maple Syrup ! Sap must be collected in a way that ensures the longterm sustainable management of the sugarbush and the forest ecosystem overall which includes managing forests to encourage diversity in species and age of trees. ! A forest management plan must be completed and guidelines must be followed that keep taps evenly distributed and separated by large areas of healthy white wood. ! Maple syrup must be tested for lead levels and synthetic defoamers may not be used when boiling.
Processed Foods ! Processed foods must be produced with organic ingredients. A limited number of non-agricultural ingredients and non-organic ingredients are also permitted. ! Products may not contain ingredients that have been genetically modified, irradiated or produced with sewage sludge. ! Artificial colors and flavors and other synthetic additives are prohibited.
2012–2013 VERMONT ORGANIC FARM & FOOD GUIDE
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