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Oregon's Organic Food Industry: A Resource Directory

The roots of today's organic foods production industry took hold shortly after the Second World War. At that time, concerns about the increasing popularity of formulated farm chemicals prompted a small number of growers to create a farming system which relied on the use of natural materials for fertilizing the soil and controlling pests. Named "organic" by Robert Rodale, a prolific writer on the subject, this method of agriculture held a small share of the overall U.S. production of food until the 1980s.

At that time, increasing emphasis on the deleterious effects of some agricultural practices and worries about the effects of pesticide use on human health resulted in a widening consumer base which propelled the organic industry into a surge of expansion. For the last six years, organic sales have increased by more than 20% per year. In 1995, according to the Natural Foods Merchandiser, sales of organic products in the U.S. increased by 21.7% to a total of $2.8 billion. Oregon is an important part of this national trend; the state is now one of the leading producers and consumers of organic products.

The expansion of the industry has been closely linked with the development of a wide array of organic products. In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, organic producers now market breakfast cereals, soups, frozen dinner entrees, snack foods, baby food, juices and even wine. The demand for organic dairy products has also caused rapid growth in the number of organic livestock operations in the Northwest and across the country.

Increasing acreage devoted to organic production, aggressive expansion of organic product lines by retailers of natural products, and greater interest from mainstream consumers demand more consistent quality controls and better understanding of organic practices by regulatory agencies, extension agents, private consultants and other people who receive requests for information about organic production. This directory is intended as a source for reference information about the nature of Oregon's organic industry, its infrastructure, and its information resources.

Overview of Organic Production Methods

Organic Production Methods

Organic production practices strive to imitate the sustainable, self-renewing systems found in nature. In particular, organic systems seek to achieve the stability of natural systems by encouraging diversity and recycling energy and nutrients.

The wide range of possible practices used by organic producers are based on two overriding goals: to replenish and maintain soil fertility by encouraging optimal conditions for soil organisms, and to reduce the use of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers.

For example, organic growers build fertile soils by cover cropping and plowing in crop residues to conserve nutrients and add organic matter to the soil. They control insect pests through methods such as crop rotation, timed plantings to avoid cycles of pest emergence, and the use of beneficial organisms as insect predators or parasites. Organic farmers limit plant diseases by choosing varieties that are tolerant or resistant to targeted diseases, using careful and timely field sanitation techniques, and managing irrigation applications. They fight weeds by mechanical means such as mowing or grazing, and by using crop rotations and mulches.

Although the organic industry emphasizes the importance of healthy farm systems, it has also developed a set of guidelines concerning the use of farm inputs. The great majority of inputs used in organic farming are derived from natural animal, plant, or mineral sources. A few carefully selected synthetic materials are allowed if there are no natural alternatives to accomplish the job; many of these are synthetic analogs of natural materials such as pheromones.

In response to the increasing number of fertilizers and pest control agents formulated with the organic industry in mind, the industry carefully regulates the use of off-farm inputs for their impact on human health and the environment and has developed a set of guidelines to evaluate inputs. The basis for making decisions about the acceptability of organic inputs is a set of criteria, now codified by federal law, which demands that all organic inputs satisfy strict requirements concerning:

a) Detrimental chemical interactions;

b) Toxicity and mode of action;

c) Probability of environmental contamination during manufacture, use, misuse or disposal;

d) Human health effects;

e) Biological and chemical interactions in the agroecosystem;

f) Alternatives to using the substance; and

g) Overall compatibility with a system of sustainable agriculture.

These criteria have been used to create a set of lists which guide producers in making decisions about materials available in the marketplace. A more detailed discussion of Materials Lists can be found later in this booklet in the section titled "Oregon Tilth's Certification Program".

Certification of Production Methods

The development of clear regulatory guidelines for organic produce enables private organizations and public agencies to certify that a product labeled "organic" has met or exceeded defined standards. Compliance with these standards is verified through annual third-party inspections of farms, food handlers, and food processors. Certifiers also require extensive documentation of methods and materials used on organic foods. Certification is discussed in detail in the following section on the "Regulation of the Industry".

Regulation of the Industry

State Regulations

The development of governmental regulatory systems for monitoring Oregon's organic industry occurred first at the state level. It all began in 1973 with the drafting of Oregon Administrative Rule 603-25-040, the first state regulation addressing organic food in the nation. Upon its implementation, this Administrative Rule provided protection for the industry through its simple yet legally binding definition of "organic" as an agricultural system managed without the use of synthetic substances.

By 1989, expansion of the organic industry into a relatively lucrative market made the industry vulnerable to the fraudulent use of the organic label. Joining forces, consumer groups and the organic industry drafted the Oregon Organic Foods Law which set state standards for the materials and practices allowed for use by producers of fresh and processed organic foods. It also introduced a registration program for growers producing products to be marketed as "organic". The law did not, however, create a state-sponsored certification program or require certification of organic growers; the decision about whether or not to certify was left up to individual producers.

In 1992, the organic industry asked the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) to exercise the authority granted it by the Oregon Organic Foods Law to convert the Materials List from its status as a law to an Oregon Administrative Rule. This allowed for future amendments to the List to be made through the state's rule making process and eliminated the need to return to the legislature for approval of each change made to the quickly evolving Materials List.

At the time of this writing, the Oregon Organic Foods Law remains the highest authority overseeing the organic industry in the state, but this will change with the implementation of new federal regulations in the near future. In anticipation of this transition, the Oregon State Materials List was again updated in November 1996 to conform to the emerging policies of the National Organic Program.

Federal Regulations

After years of consideration, the organic industry joined forces with Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Representative Peter DeFazio of Oregon to draft provisions for the 1990 Farm Bill which would become the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA). Passage of the Act created the National Organic Program within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and endowed it with the responsibilities of establishing a federal regulatory infrastructure and enforcing federal standards for organic products. The OFPA also called for the creation of an advisory board, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), to assist with the implementation of the law by making recommendations to the Secretary of the USDA on the development of organic standards.

In the years since the passage of the 1990 Farm Bill, the National Organic Program staff and the NOSB have developed policies governing the two main functions of the federal law. These include first, the creation of federal standards regarding materials and practices allowable for fresh and processed organic products, and second, the creation of a regulatory infrastructure for accrediting state and private agencies which certify the industry's producers, handlers, and processors.

At this writing, the USDA is in the process of offering all of its documents for public comment through the Federal Register. At the completion of the comment period, the Secretary of Agriculture will adopt the final rules and the USDA will begin to accredit certifiers.

For more information about the National Organic Program, contact:

Eileen Stommes, Director, National Organic Program

TMD/AMS/USDA, Room 2510

P.O. Box 96456

Washington, D.C. 20090-6456

Phone: (202)720-3252

Certification

Perhaps the form of regulation of the organic foods industry most readily apparent to the consumer is the industry's certification program which marks approved products with a certification seal.

Certification affirms that a product labeled "organic" was produced in accordance with a set of defined standards, and that an impartial third party, or certifier, has inspected the producer's operation for compliance with those standards. Certified organic producers, handlers, and processors are also required to follow strict record keeping procedures that provide a tracking mechanism designed to identify the origin of all components of a product. These records link the final consumer to all elements of the organic production chain and can be used to provide details about materials and practices used in every step of the production of an organic product.

The standards used for organic certification are based on a combination of scientific data as well as decades of organic producers' practical experience concerning the effectiveness and environmental impact of specific production practices and materials. Until the development of the Organic Foods Production Act, certification standards had been developed independently by various state and private certifiers across the country. Although the passage of the OFPA and the subsequent work of the National Organic Standards Board encouraged more uniformity among the standards used by certifiers in each state, the industry looks forward to the implementation of federal standards which will eliminate difficulties currently encountered when moving products across interstate and international borders.

Some states, such as Washington, Texas, New Hampshire and Colorado, have opted for certification programs, run by their respective state Departments of Agriculture instead of private entities. By far the majority of certifiers, however, are private, nonprofit agencies that are linked to educational and research programs. Many of these sprang from the grassroots of the organic industry. In Oregon, the most prominent certification agency is Oregon Tilth, which has certified organic producers since 1981.

Oregon Tilth

Yvonne Frost, Certification Director

11535 SW Durham Road, Suite C-1

Tigard, OR 97224

Phone: (503) 620-2829

Fax: (503) 624-1386

E-mail: 104763.2712@compuserve.com.

Other certifiers who may be called upon for certification services are those that work with a nationally based clientele: Farm Verified Organic (FVO), Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), and Quality Assurance Incorporated (QAI).

Farm Verified Organic

Annie Kirschenmann

RR #1, Box 40A

Medina, ND 58467

Phone: (701) 486-3579

Fax: (701) 486-3580

Organic Crop Improvement Association

Tim Davis

1001 "Y" Street, Suite B

Lincoln, NE 68508

Phone: (402) 477-2323

Fax: (402) 477-4325

Quality Assurance International

12526 High Bluff Dr.

Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130

Phone: (619) 792-3531

Fax: (619) 792-8665.

Accreditation

At the next level of oversight of the organic industry, certifiers are accredited to ensure that they conduct the certification process in compliance with organizational and fiscal standards defined by the accrediting agency. In practice, this means that inspectors audit the certifier's procedures, certification standards, and record keeping systems by reviewing files and documents, interviewing staff, and contacting producers using the certifier's services.

Again, until the enactment of the 1990 Farm Bill's Organic Foods Production Act, the only accreditation program for certifiers in the U.S. is the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movements (IFOAM). Oregon Tilth is one of only 5 certifiers in the nation, and 14 worldwide, to be accredited by IFOAM.

Under the USDA Accreditation Program mandated in the OFPA legislation, all U.S. certifiers will have to demonstrate compliance with national standards set by the USDA. This will ensure that all certifiers meet the same minimum requirements, offering consistency throughout the industry. It will also smooth the sale of U.S. products overseas, which has faltered due to the lack of oversight of the certification process which is required by European buyers. Beginning the USDA Accreditation Program will be the first step in implementation of the OFPA. The USDA has completed many of the steps needed for implementation of the federal law but cannot yet accurately predict a start up date due to uncertainty about the length of time needed to solicit and process public comments.

Oregon Tilth's Certification Program

Background

Oregon Tilth is a private, nonprofit group which provides education, research, and certification for the organic foods industry. An active proponent of organic agriculture in Oregon for more than two decades, Tilth now certifies the majority of the organic farms in the stateæabout 200æas well as many farms in other areas. As the market for processed organic food grew, Tilth expanded its certification program to cover processing facilities as well. In 1996, Tilth certified 91 processors worldwide.

There are a number of ways to contact Oregon Tilth with inquiries concerning its certification services:

Oregon Tilth

Yvonne Frost, Certification Director

11535 SW Durham Road, Suite C-1

Tigard, OR 97224

Phone: (503) 620-2829.

Fax: (503) 624-1386.

E-mail: 104763.2712@compuserve.com.

Standards

Oregon Tilth produced its first set of standards when it began its certification program in 1981, and has made significant updates three times, in 1987, 1994, and 1997. The most recent version of the standards, along with Tilth's procedures for becoming certified, are published in the Oregon Tilth Certification Manual which may be purchased from the organization.

Tilth standards cover certification of:

Farms producing vegetables, fruits, tree crops, vine crops, and mushrooms;

Livestock operations producing eggs and milk, breeding animals, meat, and apiculture products and services;

Businesses handling organic products including brokers, wholesalers, distributors, packers, and repackers;

Processing operations including co-packers, and processors of single and multi-ingredient products; and

Retailers.

Materials Lists

An important component of certification standards are the lists of materials that a certification program accepts for use in organic production and processing. Oregon Tilth has developed two kinds of lists, one covering generic materials and another specifying brand name products.

A. The Generic Materials List

Oregon Tilth publishes the OTCO Generic Materials List on an annual basis. The list catalogues the general types of materials that are available to growers, organized by their uses. Within each of the use categories the Generic List delineates the types of materials that may be used as well as some of the materials which are prohibited. For example, under fertilizers and soil amendments the list includes blood meal, bone meal, compost, fish products, rock phosphate, and so on. The use categories included in Tilth's Generic List are:

Crop Production

Fertilizers and soil amendments

Insect or mite control

Nematode control

Plant disease control

Weed control

Vertebrate animal pest control

Crop production aids

Livestock Materials

Livestock feed additives and supplements

Livestock health products

Livestock production aids

Processing Materials

Processing ingredients

Processing aids

The OTCO Generic List also assigns one of three possible regulatory rankings to each material:

Allowed: These materials may be used without further regulation. In some cases, the Generic List provides additional information concerning the use of the material in a certified organic system.

Regulated: The use of these materials must be justified in writing and reported to Tilth due to agronomic, ecological, philosophical, or consumer questions or concerns about their impact. The Generic List contains specific guidelines and restrictions on the use of each regulated material.

Prohibited: These materials may not be used in certified organic production systems.

Oregon Tilth formulates the Generic Materials List to fit within the limits of the Oregon State Department of Agriculture Materials List and the emerging federal regulations on materials. By law, Tilth's list may be more restrictive than the State's rulings, but never more lenient.

B. The Brand Name Materials List

One result of the burgeoning production, processing, and marketing of organic foods was an increase in the number of commercial products available to organic producers. Assessment of these products for compliance with the terms of the Generic Materials List became an important step in the increasingly sophisticated certification structure.

In 1992, Oregon Tilth joined forces with California's certification organization, California Certified Organic Farmers, to review brand name materials. The joint Materials Review Committee (MRC) established procedures and policies for reviewing Brand Name materials, including the important requirement that manufacturers disclose information about all inert ingredients as well as the active ingredients in their products. The MRC overcomes manufacturers' concerns about divulging this confidential information with a system which insures its confidentiality. Lacking a legal mandate for compulsory compliance, the Brand Names Review Program operates on a voluntary basis; the choice to submit a product for review is up to the manufacturer. The review program is supported by fees paid by the manufacturers.

Although its evaluation process is based largely on the federal criteria for reviewing materials mandated by the OFPA, the MRC has developed its own more detailed evaluation criteria for materials within specific generic categories. Oregon Tilth publishes the OTCO Brand Name Materials List which is updated annually. Interim additions, changes or deletions are published in Tilth's monthly newspaper.

This list serves as a valuable resource for both manufacturers of products used by organic producers and the producers themselves. The manufacturers benefit from increased sales of products that have been approved while producers enjoy increased confidence that products they are using have been completely and carefully reviewed for compliance with Tilth standards and the Oregon Organic Foods Law.

Sources of Additional Information

Regulatory information

National Organic Program

Eileen Stommes, National Organic Program, Director, TMD/AMS/USDA, Room 2510, PO Box 96456, Washington, DC 20090-6456. Phone (202)720-3252

Oregon Organic Food Program

Jim Black, Department of Food and Dairy, Oregon Department of Agriculture, 635 Capitol St. NE, Salem, OR 97310-0110. Phone (503) 986-4726

Certifiers for Oregon's Organic Producers

Oregon Tilth, Yvonne Frost, Certification Director, 11535 SW Durham Rd., Suite C-1, Tigard, OR 97224. Phone: (503) 620-2829. Fax: (503) 624-1386. E-mail: 104763.2712@compuserve.com.

Farm Verified Organic, Annie Kirschenmann, RR #1, Box 40A, Medina, ND 58467. Phone: (701) 486-3579. Fax: (701) 486-3580.

Organic Crop Improvement Association, Tim Davis, 1001 "Y" Street, Suite B, Lincoln, NE 68508. Phone: (402) 477-2323. Fax: (402) 477-4325.

Quality Assurance International, 12526 High Bluff Dr., Suite 300, San Diego, CA 92130. Phone: (619) 792-3531. Fax: (619) 792-8665.

Publications for and about Oregon's Organic Industry

Oregon Tilth publishes many documents concerning Oregon's organic industry. For more information, phone (503) 620-2829, or write Oregon Tilth, 11535 SW Durham Rd., Suite C-1, Tigard, OR 97224.

Oregon Tilth Certification Manual. Contains Oregon Tilth's standards and certification procedures. Updated annually through appendices and with completely new versions published as needed.

Oregon Tilth Generic Materials List. Catalogues the types materials by their use in organic systems and describes the ways in which they may be used by certified organic growers and processors. Updated annually.

Oregon Tilth Brand Name Materials List. Lists brand name materials which have been evaluated for use by organic growers. Updated annually with interim changes, additions and deletions published in In Good Tilth.

In Good Tilth: Oregon's Voice for Organic Agriculture. Published monthly, except December and July by Oregon Tilth. Subscription: $25/year.

Directory of Oregon Tilth Certified Organic Producers. Oregon Tilth publishes an annual directory of the growers and processors it certifies. The Directory also lists growers by the crops they produce and by geographical region. The publication includes information on retail outlets selling organic foods and other types of businesses which support the organic foods industry.

The Transition Document. Explains the process of transitioning a farm from conventional to organic production methods.

The Relationship Between Soil Pesticide Residues and Certified Organic Foods. A position paper addressing Oregon Tilth's efforts to test soils entering the certification program for residual contamination from chlorinated hydrocarbons. Discusses the use of plant tissue testing to detect pesticide residue uptake from soils.

Oregon State University Staff

John Luna, Sustainable Agriculture Program, Horticulture Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331. Phone: (541) 737-5430. E-mail: lunaj@bcc.orst.edu.

Dr. Luna can direct callers to OSU staff people who are working on specific topics of interest to organic growers.

Jay Pscheidt, Extension Plant Pathologist, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331-2903. Phone: (541) 737-3472.

Each year Dr. Pscheidt publishes a booklet called Extension Plant Pathology Fruit and Ornamental Disease Management Testing Program which describes the results of efficacy testing on many disease control materials used in fruit production. Some trials include materials which are approved for use in organic fruit production.

Private Consultants Specializing in Organic Production

Cascadia Landscape Design. Jude Hobbs, 1161 Lincoln St., Eugene, OR, 97401. Phone: (541) 342-1160. Fax: (541) 342-7202. E-mail: hobbsj@efn.org.

As a Permaculture designer, Ms. Hobbs' focus is on farm plans, concentrating on efficiency, productivity and a functional approach toward integrating plants, animals, water, structures and people. Permaculture is a design for sustainable living.

Organic Agsystems Consulting. Lynn S. Coody, principal consultant. 3460 McMillan St., Eugene, OR 97405. Phone and fax: (541) 343-6795. e-mail: lynncoody@compuserve.com.

Established in 1982, Organic Agsystems Consulting provides technical support services for organic farmers including: farm system planning, soil fertility recommendations, crop monitoring, organic pest management, on-farm research assistance, and seminars and workshops.

Pacific Organics, Inc., Rob Gould, 255 Richmond St. SE Salem, OR 97301-6714. Phone: (503)361-2302. E-mail: info@pacorganics.com. Fax: (503)585-6065.

Pacific Organics, Inc. is a consulting firm that works with companies to turn their organic by-products into assets. They specialize in the development and marketing of natural fertilizers and soil amendments derived from organic by-products.

Suppliers for Fertilizers and Pest Control Products for Organic Producers

Bioproducts, Inc., 1935 NW Warrenton Dr., Warrenton, OR 97146. Phone: 800-962-2001 Fax: (503) 861-3701.

Bioproducts manufactures a line of pelleted natural fertilizers derived primarily from fresh marine fish. They recover marine fish by-products from the portion of the commercial harvest not used for human consumption.

Concentrates Inc., Bill Sparks 801 SE Division Place, Portland, OR 97202. Phone: 1-800-388-4870. Fax: (503) 234-7502.

Suppliers of organic fertilizers and soil amendments in small and large quantities. Wholesale/retail. Quantity discounts.

Down to Earth, 532 Olive St. Eugene, OR 97401. Phone: (541) 342-6820. Fax: (541) 485-7141.

For over 15 years, Down to Earth has supplied top quality, naturally occurring soil amendments to dealers, farmers and retail customers in the Pacific Northwest. They also carry tools and natural pest control products which may be used by organic growers.

Harmony Farm Supply, 3244 Gravenstein Hwy., North Sebastapol, CA 95472. Phone (707) 823-9125. Fax. (707) 823-1734. Web site at http://harmonyfarm.com.

Mail order supplier of organic fertilizers, ecological pest controls, horticultural tools, seeds, and books. Harmony Valley provides soil, water, and plant tissue testing services. Assistance with irrigation design and consulting services for farm management are also available. Catalog sent on request.

Integrated Fertility Management, 333 Ohme Gardens Road, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Phone: 1-800-332-3179. Fax: (509) 662-6594.

I.F.M. is a full service organic orchard and farm supply company specializing in organic production since 1983. I.F.M. provides nutritional, soil, and tissue analysis and furnishes interpretations of test results based on the use of organic soil amendments. The company sells all types of organic soil amendments and organic foliar feeds in quantities appropriate for any size operation. I.F.M. provides expert advice on organic pest control methods and materials and also stocks reliable products for pest control including microbial, viral, and botanical materials, as well as pheromones for mating disruption. I.F.M. sources a comprehensive variety of beneficial insects for orchard, farm, and greenhouse use and advises on their care and effective use. Catalog available.

North Pacific Trading, Darren McFarlane, P.O. Box 3915, Portland, OR, 97208. Toll free phone: (800) 461-3477. Phone for Portland area: (503) 872-3477. Fax: (503) 238-2667.

North Pacific Trading is a wholesale distributor of fertilizers, micronutrients and soil amendments for use in organic agriculture. Their products are sold through many dealers and retail outlets in the western states.

Peaceful Valley Farm Supply, P.O. Box 2209, Grass Valley, CA 95945. Phone: (916) 272-4769. Fax: (916) 272-4794.

Peaceful Valley Farm supply is a mail order service for a wide range of tools and supplies for organic farming: fertilizers, pest management materials, seeds, irrigation equipment, animal health products, and horticultural tools. Catalog available.

Territorial Seed Company, P.O. Box 157, Cottage Grove, OR 97424. Phone: (541) 942-9547. Fax: (541) 942-9881.

Territorial Seed Company markets fertilizers and pest control materials for organic producers through its mail order catalog as well as in its retail store in Cottage Grove. Territorial also specializes in vegetables, flowers, and herbs that are especially suited for the Maritime Northwest. Free catalog.

Marketing Organic Products

Direct Marketing

Farmers' Markets. Many organic farmers market directly to the public through farmers' markets. The Oregon Department of Agriculture maintains a list of Oregon Farmers' Markets. For more information about the locations and times of the farmers' markets around the state, call Cathi McLain, Agricultural Development and Marketing Division, Oregon Department of Agriculture, 121 SW Salmon, Suite 240, Portland, OR 97204-2987. Phone (503) 229-6734.

Wholesalers and Brokers

Organically Grown Cooperative, 1800-B Prairie Road, Eugene, OR 97405 Phone: (541) 689-5320 Fax: (541) 689-8768.

Organically Grown Cooperative distributes a full line of organic fruits, vegetables and herbs to wholesale and retail accounts throughout the Northwest. Their own line of certified organic produce, Ladybug Brand, which includes products from nearly two dozen farms, is sold to accounts throughout the Western United States and Canada. Brokerage activities include sales of Ladybug Brand, growers' own labels, and processing grades in bulk to customers throughout North America.

Oregon Organic Brokerage, 840 Lawrence St., Eugene, OR 97401. Phone: (541) 687-9535, Fax: (541) 687-9536.

Oregon Organic Brokerage offers custom sales and marketing for both fresh and processed certified organically grown products. Their specialty is moving produce outside of Oregon into markets in the United States, Canada and Europe. They service growers who produce large enough volumes to be of interest to wholesale buyers and processors. Growers must be able to provide shipping points for their products.