Glossary
The following definitions are drawn from the final rule for the
USDA's
National Organic Program, administered by the Agricultural
Marketing Service.
Act--The Organic
Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended (7 U.S.C. 6501 et
seq.).
Certified Operation--A crop or livestock
production, wild-crop harvesting or handling operation, or portion
of such operation that is certified by an accredited certifying
agent as utilizing a system of organic production or handling as
described by the Act and the regulations in this part.
Certifying Agent--Any entity
accredited by the Secretary as a certifying agent for the purpose
of certifying a production or handling operation as a certified
production or handling operation.
Crop Rotation--The practice of alternating the
annual crops grown on a specific field in a planned pattern or
sequence in successive crop years so that crops of the same species
or family are not grown without interruption on the same field.
Perennial cropping systems employ means such as alley cropping,
intercropping, and hedgerows to introduce biological diversity in
lieu of crop rotation.
Cultivation--Digging up or cutting the soil to
prepare a seed bed; control weeds; aerate the soil; or work organic
matter, crop residues, or fertilizers into the soil.
Cultural Methods--Methods used
to enhance crop health and prevent weed, pest, or disease problems
without the use of substances; examples include the selection of
appropriate varieties and planting sites; proper timing and density
of plantings; irrigation; and extending a growing season by
manipulating the microclimate with green houses, cold frames, or
wind breaks.
Excluded
Methods--A variety of methods used to genetically modify
organisms or influence their growth and development by means that
are not possible under natural conditions or processes and are not
considered compatible with organic production. Such methods include
cell fusion, microencapsulation and macroencapsulation, and
recombinant DNA technology (including gene deletion, gene doubling,
introducing a foreign gene, and changing the positions of genes
when achieved by recombinant DNA technology). Such methods do not
include the use of traditional breeding, conjugation, fermentation,
hybridization, in vitro fertilization, or tissue culture.
Handler--Any person engaged in the business of
handling agricultural products, including producers who handle
crops or livestock of their own production, except such term shall
not include final retailers of agricultural products that do not
process agricultural products.
Organic System Plan--A plan of management of an
organic production or handling operation that has been agreed to by
the producer or handler and the certifying agent and that includes
written plans concerning all aspects of agricultural production or
handling described in the Act and the regulations in subpart C of
this part.
Organic Production--A
production system that is managed in accordance with the Act and
regulations in this part to respond to site-specific conditions by
integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that
foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and
conserve biodiversity.
Pasture--Land used for livestock
grazing that is managed to provide feed value and maintain or
improve soil, water, and vegetative resources.
Producer--A person who engages in the business
of growing or producing food, fiber, feed, and other
agricultural-based consumer products.
Wild Crop--Any plant or portion of a plant that
is collected or harvested from a site that is not maintained under
cultivation or other agricultural management.