ORGANIC
PRODUCTION
AND MARKETING NEWSLETTER
March 2002
Editor: J. J. Ferguson
Extension
Horticulturist
Horticultural Sciences Department
University of Florida
PO Box 110690
Gainesville, FL 32611-0690
JJFN@MAIL.IFAS.UFL.EDU
MINUTES OF THE ORGANIC CITRUS
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
Jan. 16
Lake Alfred Citrus Research and Education Center
Submitted by J. Ferguson
In attendance:
Athearn, Kevin (Food and
Resource Economics, UF, Gainesville)
Ferguson, Jim (Horticultural Sciences, UF, Gainesville)
Kelly-Hall, James (Kelly-Hall Groves, Ft. Pierce)
Roper, Charles (Roper Growers Cooperative)
Scholberg, Johann, (Agronomy, UF, Gainesville)
Ziegler, Mike (Agricultural Resources Management, Vero Beach)
Agenda: The below research/extension areas were suggested at the December, 2001 organic farming meeting at Lake Alfred. Those meeting on Jan. 16, 2002 listed five areas as having the highest priority with other issues to be discussed at future meeting. Minutes reflect discussion at this meeting.
Jan. 16 Meeting of Organic Citrus Advisory Committee |
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Suggested Research/Extension Areas |
Comments |
Access to Information |
J. Ferguson will develop and upgrade existing web-based newsletters and web-sites. "In Good Tilth" was mentioned. This is a publication of Oregon Tilth Certified Organic.(http://www.tilth.org) The web site for Florida Certified Organic Growers and Consumers is http://www.foginfo.org/ . "The Foghorn" is the newletter of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers. Quality Certification Services http://www.qcsinfo.org/index.html is the organic certifying agency of Florida Organic Growers and Consumers. |
Crop Production/Marketing Data (acres, boxes/acre, price per box and lbs solids) |
Global information systems (GIS) and Global positioning systems (GPS) systems could be used for identification of organic groves in terms of obtaining data on boxes produced and other related production and marketing data. |
Enforcement of Organic Standards (DOC?) |
National Organic Standards will become official Oct.21, 2002. At that time existing certifying agencies will have to conform to USDA rules for accreditation. Enforcement issues should also be addressed to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Global Information Systems (GIS) will be essential in locating and certifying organic groves.
JAS is the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS). It is an Accredited Organic Certification Organization by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) of Japan http://www.pure-foods.co.jp/index2.html Standardization (ISO) Guide 65 includes the General Requirements for Bodies Operating Product Certification Sytems, including asessments of Organic Certifying Agencies. The Audit, Review, and Compliance Branch has been designated as the competent authority for the assessment of organic certification agencies for compliance with the International Organization for Standardization. Website http://151.121.3.151/lsg/arc/iso65.htm |
FFVA and Organic Representation |
Make contacts with Florida Fruit and Vegetable Association, Florida Citrus Mutual, and the Florida Citrus Production Research Advisory Council (FCPRAC) to obtain representation for organic citrus growers. |
Grove Design |
Information needed in terms of best location of organic groves on specific soil types. That is, are some soil types better suited for organic farming than other soil types. |
Integrated Harvesting, Transportation, Marketing Systems |
What to do here? |
Irrigation System Design |
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Larger Scale Research |
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Materials/Methods to Control Brazilian Pepper Trees |
Needed |
Mechanisms to Fund Organic Farming Research in Citrus |
Possible funding through SHARE and FCPRAC as well as recent USDA grants |
Pest and Disease Management |
Needed |
Promotion of Environmental Benefits of Organic Farming |
Research data needed comparing general environmental and wildlife benefits of organic farming compared to conventional farming (e. g. nutrient leaching of manure and synthetic fertilizer nutrients) |
Proven Methods and Management Practices for Organic Citrus (Manual?) |
Develop a manual for organic citrus production in Florida, especially in terms of weed and pest managment, manure applications/soil fertility. |
Weed Control Methods |
Current USDA grant on using perennial peanut as a weed control measure in organic citrus groves |
Organic Farming Research Center |
UF is developing an Organic Farming ResearchCenter, a type II center, which will not now have physical facilities. Consider possible field research/demonstration sites for this center in north, central and southern Florida. |
Future Meetings |
Rotate around the state with next meeting in southern Florida |
Additional Notes
The USDA is the US government agency that will administer the National Organic Program (NOP), with an implementation date of Oct. 21, 2002 within the US. The Japanese government agency that administers organic programs within Japan is the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF). The Japanese counterpart of the US National Organic Program is called the Japanese Agriculture Standards (JAS) and this program is administered by MAFF. The USDA is currently negotiating with the Japanese MAFF to develop commonly agreed-upon organic certification standards.
JAS standards are detailed and require more verification and accompanying paperwork to validate record keeping, farming practices and farmers themselves than current US organic standards.
There are approximately 38 organic certifying agencies around the world currently accredited under JAS standards. However, not all certifying agencies currently operating in Florida are accredited under JAS standards.
The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries works with another agency, Quality Assurance International (QAI) to certify organic produce coming into Japan. QAI standards must conform to JAS standards for organic produce coming into Japan.
Genetic ID is an American company that has a component called International Certification Services. (ISC). The primary function of ISC is to determine that produce is free of genetically modified organisms (gmos). The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries under the auspices of the JAS accepts imported organic produce that has been certified by QAI and ISC.
Note 2
The Florida Organic Farming and Food Act will sunset 12/31/02. The USDA National Organic Program will become effective 10/21/02. One of the main differences between these two sets of organic farming standards is that under Florida law the tolerance standard for pesticides and other restricted or prohibited materials is 1% whereas under the NOP this standard will be 5%.
Organic certifying agencies currently registered in Florida are apparently in the process of obtaining accreditation under the NOP standards and they must do this by 10/21/02 in order to be registered under NOP standards.
However, since the NOP standards take effect 10/21/02 and the Florida standards don’t expire until 12/31/02, organic produce grown or imported into Florida must still adhere to the 1% tolerance standard until 12/31/02.
This page is maintained by Susie Futch and was last updated on March 9, 2002.