Natural Resources
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) requires organic operations to comply with 7 CFR ยง 205.200, which mandates that producers must maintain or improve the natural resources of their operations, including soil and water quality. In 2016, the NOP released the Natural Resources and Biodiversity
Conservation Guidance to provide clarity on these requirements and ensure uniform compliance across organic operations.
This guidance emphasizes that organic production encompasses a range of conservation principles, including protecting riparian areas, supporting native species and habitats, minimizing invasive species, maintaining air quality, promoting crop diversity, and improving soil conditions. It outlines specific practices that organic farmers can implement to meet these requirements, such as:
Enhancing soil health by adding organic matter, increasing soil organism diversity, and improving nutrient cycling.
Conserving and restoring forests, shrublands, woodlands, grasslands, riparian areas, and wetlands to aid in carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling.
Creating vegetative covers to control erosion and filter pollutants.
Implementing conservation tillage, terracing, contour farming, and other soil stability practices.
Using practices that attract beneficial insects, provide habitat for wildlife, and increase soil biodiversity.
The guidance also clarifies the responsibilities of certified organic operators and accredited certifying agents. Operators must select, implement, and record production practices that maintain or improve natural resources, while certifiers must verify compliance with these requirements.
To assist organic farmers in complying with these regulations, tools have been developed to simplify the process of following the NOP guidance on natural resources and biodiversity conservation. These resources aim to make it easier for organic operations to implement and document their conservation practices, ensuring they meet the NOP's requirements while promoting ecological balance and preserving biodiversity on their farms.
