Organic Matters Spring 2016

Pennsylvania Certified Organic Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2016

Avian Influenza Info for Organic Poultry Producers page 2 Humane Treatment of Sick or Injured Animals page 4 Organic Potato Production page 6

Organically Speaking Springtime promises new growth and dreams PCO has enjoyed a strong growth trend for many years and it may seem like old hat to hear me say it again…. This time I’m saying it louder than usual because PCO is experiencing an unprecedented 40 percent increase in certified organic members compared to last year. This trend shows no sign of slowing as we continue to receive a steady flow of new applications at the rate of more than one per day.

Why are so many farmers and food producers applying for certification with PCO? Is it because the organic food and farming sector is growing rapidly? Yes. Is it because PCO provides great certification services? Of course! We aren’t perfect but we do our best and if our best isn’t good enough, we try to do better.

A bigger team As you can imagine, the growing number of certified operations necessitates expanding our staff and we have already hired several new, highly experienced and qualified employees this year. As our organization continues to grow, more job openings will be posted periodically at paorganic.org/jobs. There are also more opportunities for members to participate in PCO activities, through serving on our Advisory Board, joining a committee or volunteering to help at an event. Talk to anyone at PCO to find out how you can become involved.

Ready, set, here they come…

PCO’s team of dedicated organic inspectors is ready to hit the inspection trail this season. Inspectors make every effort to plan your inspection for optimum effectiveness and efficiency. You can do your part by having your records in good order and, most importantly, cooperating with your inspector’s schedule. Inspectors have a relatively short timeframe for completing more than 1,000 inspections and it helps immensely when members accommodate their intense work pace. Please remember to confirm your availability as soon as possible so your inspector can schedule other members’ inspections on a timely basis as well. PCO’s inspectors are the best of the best and we appreciate having such highly qualified professionals assisting us in ensuring organic integrity every day of every year.

PCO Annual Meeting and Member Day Join us July 29, 2016, for our Annual Meeting and Member Day at Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest in Centre Hall.

Why attend PCO’s annual meeting? As a membership-based organization, PCO needs to hear from you in order to shape our future together. Discussion circles on current topics give members the opportunity to identify issues and suggest solutions. In addition to the member meeting and discussion groups, we’ll have great guest speakers, networking time and delicious organic food.

PCO’s Annual Meeting is held in conjunction with PCO’s FarmFest and PASA’s Summer Conference, so there’s something for the entire family. In addition to interesting and useful educational presentations, FarmFest offers opportunities for vendors, exhibitors, sponsors, craft demonstrations, food providers, performers and musicians. See page 11.

Spring it is the time when all things seem possible. Nature has a sneaky way of inspiring us with her warm sunshine, greening earth and budding flowers. Let the season of hard work and dreams begin!

Leslie Zuck (814) 404-6567 leslie@paorganic.org

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Left: Grace Lih-Fang Lin, Deputy Director General of the Taiwan Agriculture and Food Agency Council, talks with Leslie Zuck, PCO Executive Director, at PCO-certified Spiral Path Farm, Loysville, PA, during a tour of Pennsylvania organic farms hosted by USDA. Above: PCO’s fabulous team of organic inspectors! Front Row (left to right): Rachel Myers, Nell Hanssen, Brian Magaro; 2nd Row (left to right): Liz Amos, Frank Beaty, Al Johnson, Mark Keating; 3rd Row (left to right): Amy Talarico, Heather Donald, Christie Badger, Christopher Warren-Smith, Justin Hurley, Joshua Bogart.

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Organic Matters Spring 2016

features

stories

columns 13 President’s Message

2 Avian Influenza Info for Organic Poultry Producers Facts, context and the case for preparedness

8 Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Conference a Great Success Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Deputy Secretary of Agriculure and PCO Certified organic farmer shares insights on organic industry 9 Combating Striped Cucumber Beetles with Organic Controls Utilizing trap cropping, sanitation, crop rotation, row covers and repellents to safeguard your cash crops

11 PA Organic FarmFest Special deals for sponsors and vendors

David Johnson Provident Farms TREASURER

Jeff Mattocks The Fertrell Company

Email: pco@paorganic.org Web: paorganic.org facebook.com/PAorganic

ADVISORY BOARD Tina Ellor Phillips Mushroom Farms Dave Hartman Penn State Extension

twitter.com/PAorganic

OUR MISSION: To ensure the integrity of organic products

and provide education, inspection, and certification services that meet the needs of our members. PCO provides services to operations based in Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

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21 Organic Marketplace

Clifford Hawbaker Hamilton Heights Dairy Farm & Emerald Valley Farm Ciro Lo Pinto Conservationist Brian Magaro Independent Organic Inspector

Cover photo: Sabine Carey, FreeRanging Photography

Mathew Moore Ag Choice Farm Credit

Justine Cooke Certification Specialist

Cadie Pruss Ewe Win Farm

Stephen Hobaugh Certification Specialist

Ken Rice Organic Unlimited

Emily Newman Certification Specialist

STAFF

Laura Nunziata Certification Specialist

Leslie Zuck Executive Director

Colleen Scott Certification Specialist

QUALITY TEAM

ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM

Tess Weigand Certification Specialist

Angela Morgan Quality Systems & IT Manager

Diana Underwood Director of Operations

Reva Baylets Program Assistant

Garrick McCullough IT Specialist

Elizabeth Leah Staff Accountant

Sandie Elder Program Assistant

Lia Sandoval Administrative Assistant

EDUCATION & OUTREACH TEAM

CERTIFICATION TEAM

Amanda Birk Director of Education & Outreach

Tony Marzolino Marz Farm MANAGING BOARD CHAIR

Fax: 814-422-0255

20 Employment Opportunities

28 PCO Membership/ Certification Order Form

PRESIDENT

Phone: 814-422-0251

16 Organic Updates Certification Legislative Standards & Policy Staff Updates

26 Calendar

OFFICERS

Mail: 106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875

15 Recipe Corner

22 New Members

4 Humane Treatment of Sick or Injured Animals is Critical to Herd Health and Organic Integrity 6 Practical Guidance for Organic Potato Production on the Medium Scale Produce Farm Tips on planting, cultivation, pest management and harvesting for high yields and quality

14 Dear Aggy

Kyla Smith Certification Director Marissa Pyle Certification Program Manager Heather Donald Senior Certification Specialist

INSPECTIONS TEAM

Liz Amos Inspections Manager MATERIALS TEAM

Jennifer Berkebile Materials Program Manager Sabine Carey Materials Specialist

Nicole Lawrence McNeil Membership & Development Specialist April Fix Public Relations Coordinator

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Avian Influenza Info for Organic Poultry Producers Facts, context and the case for preparedness Patricia Dunn, Avian Pathologist and Field Investigator, Penn State University

Avian influenza (AI) has been in the news in the past year, mainly due to an outbreak in poultry in the western and midwestern regions of the U.S. that was unprecedented in size and scale. Fortunately, this outbreak and previous ones in the U.S. have not involved the types of AI viruses that can cause human disease, nor have they impacted the food safety of poultry meat and eggs for consumers. Previous to this outbreak, Pennsylvania held the dubious distinction of having been the center of the largest, most costly AI outbreak in the last half of the 20th century, and many of our poultry producers have not forgotten the lessons learned from that experience in the 1980s. To follow is information that can help poultry producers of all types understand AI, and apply the information to better protect flocks from this potentially devastating disease.

Avian Influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds that has a very complex and variable presentation depending on the subtype of virus and the bird host species that it infects. Every AI virus (AIV) is unique, and general assumptions do not always apply. The most predictable characteristic of AI viruses is unpredictability. They are among the most mutation-prone biologic entities known. It’s helpful to understand this complexity and context to sort out which interventions are most important to protect your poultry flocks from infection.

AIVs are part of the natural world.

They have co-existed for eons with their natural host reservoir: waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans), and shorebirds (gulls and terns). AIVs are highly adapted to and easily infect these birds, which shed large amounts of viruses in their droppings into

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Turkeys are generally more susceptible to contracting AI infections directly from waterfowl strains than chickens are. However, once these viruses are adapted to gallinaceous hosts, they are just as contagious to chickens.

their immediate environment during the days to weeks of a new infection. The viruses can stay viable in cool water and other moist environments for weeks to months. They are inactivated more quickly in warm and dry environments.

The viruses generally cause little or no clinical disease in this setting. The infections are ongoing and somewhat cyclical, with juveniles hatched in the current year readily infected with the circulating viruses to which they have not yet developed immunity. Older birds also are infected as new strains of AIV are introduced and evolve. Gallinaceous poultry species such as turkeys, guinea fowl, pheasants and chickens are not considered “natural” hosts for these viruses. However, under certain conditions, some strains of AIV can infect these species and adapt to them, and, once adapted, can infect and spread more easily in this group. In general, turkeys are more susceptible to contracting AI infections directly from waterfowl strains than are chickens. However, once adapted to gallinaceous host

species, these viruses can be just as contagious to chickens.

The “unnatural” or man-made reservoir of AIVs that is very important in other parts of the world and in our region of the U.S. is the urban live bird marketing system. In the northeastern U.S., this includes farms, dealers, haulers, distributors of birds throughout PA and other states that supply birds to over 100 city retail markets, most of which are in metro New York City, Northern New Jersey and Philadelphia. Because waterfowl, mostly ducks, are commingled with gallinaceous birds at the markets, and sometimes in the supply chain, there is ample opportunity for some strains of AIV to “jump species” and adapt to new hosts, potentially causing AI infection to be more easily introduced back onto supply farms if great care is not taken to block virus spread. Unfortunately, this has happened several times in the past 30 years resulting in significant AI outbreaks on poultry farms in PA. Fortunately, much progress has been made in the past 15 years to decrease AIV persist-

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ence in the markets themselves and to block back-to-farm contamination and spread.

There are many types of AIVs that are described and named based on different characteristics. There are 2 general types (“pathotypes”) based on the severity of disease each can cause in gallinaceous birds (not in waterfowl): high pathogenicity AI (HPAI) viruses which cause severe disease and high mortality (usually over 90%), and low pathogenicity AI (LPAI) viruses which cause no or mild disease with “normal” or mildly increased mortality if the infection is not complicated by concurrent diseases or management stressors.

HPAI is considered a “dangerous transmissible disease” for domestic poultry and its control falls under the authority of regulatory agencies. Eradication or “stamping out” is the goal, as living with severe losses is not tolerable to most agricultural enterprises in developed countries. All H subtypes other than H5 and H7 exist only as LPAI viruses and detection of these usually does not trigger regulatory response. Although most H5 and H7 viruses are LPAI, a few can change to HPAI during circulation and adaptation in gallinaceous bird hosts. For this reason, H5 and H7 subtypes of LPAI are also regulated to contain the infections as soon as possible to reduce the chance of mutation to HPAI forms.

HPAI is an “equal opportunity disease” and follows this equation: Susceptible gallinaceous birds + a minimum infectious dose or more of HPAI virus = severe disease and nearly 100% mortality in the flock as the infection runs its course. This equation is true regardless of flock size (small, large, in-between), type of confinement (inside, outside, both; cage, aviary, cage-free, “free-range”, movable pens), management style (poor to excellent), nutrition (conventional, organic), immune system (robust to immune-suppressed).

The outdoor/indoor debate: Flock access to the outdoors does not guarantee exposure to/infection with AIV, and total confinement does not guarantee no exposure to/ no infection with AIV. Physical barriers and operational barriers are both important, and both should be addressed

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HPAI is known as an "equal opportunity disease" meaning that susceptible gallinaceous birds exposed to a minimum infectious dose will experience severe disease with nearly 100% mortality regardless of flock size, type of confinement, management style, nutrition and immune system.

to do everything possible to optimize biosecurity and reduce risk in a high risk situation. The more isolated your poultry flock is from migrating and resident waterfowl and their water and land habitats, the less risk. The more isolated your poultry flock is from other poultry operations and any connections with the live bird marketing system, the less risk. This isolation includes no cross traffic or shared people, vehicles, equipment or other movable objects, animals, insects, or free-flying birds. Total distance from a potential AIV reservoir can be important (the less distance of open spaces between, the more likely that wind-blown particles or other mobile things or beings may carry virus over the distance). However barriers such as trees, ridges, hills and valleys, even crops, can help screen out wind-borne dust that may carry virus particles in this way. Operational connections such as shared roads and driveways and the vehicles that travel on them between or past poultry premises can serve as pathways of virus spread over longer distances.

NOP Regulations and PCO Policy: The NOP regulations allow for operators to provide temporary confinement of organic flocks to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the animals. The method of temporary confinement used must be approved by PCO and should provide the necessary protection to the birds while meeting the remaining requirements of the NOP regula-

tions. Continuous total confinement of any animal indoors is prohibited. If Federal or State animal health authorities determine that more prescriptive actions are required, organic producers could be required to adhere to those actions.

Request for temporary confinement must be submitted in writing and include 1) the reason for confinement (include supporting details, references, and/or reports to show than an elevated risk exists for infection by a specific pathogen), and 2) description of management during confinement period, and 3) duration of temporary confinement based on defined criteria to enable periodic review of eligibility.

Terms Defined: Temporary and Temporarily — Occurring for a limited time only (e.g., overnight, throughout a storm, during a period of illness, the period of time specified by the Administrator when granting a temporary variance), not permanent or lasting.

(205.2) Avian Influenza (AI) — an infectious viral disease of birds (commonly called bird flu). AI viruses are divided into 2 groups based on their ability to cause disease in poultry: high pathogenicity or low pathogenicity. Highly pathogenic viruses result in high death rates (up to 100% mortality within 48 hours) in some poultry species.

Low pathogenicity viruses also cause outcontinued on page 5

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Humane Treatment of Sick or Injured Animals Is Critical to Herd Health and Organic Integrity Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Deputy Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is committed to a sustainable and safe supply of food and agricultural products in the Commonwealth — from the farm to the table — and to being good stewards of the land and Pennsylvania’s natural resources. The Department promotes the viability of farms, protects consumers, and safeguards the health of people, plants, animals and the environment.

The Bureau of Animal Health and Diagnostic Services (BAHDS) is responsible for controlling and eradicating diseases in livestock and poultry. This mission is critical since these diseases have the potential to impact human health and cause significant economic loss to farmers and the Commonwealth.

Particularly for complex situations where the possibility of contagion exist (as in the recent cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Dubois county, Indiana this January), we are available to support farmers to navigate next steps.

However, protocol that may be standard on conventional farms may require some additional foresight and planning for certified organic farms. Those of us with organic or other non-conventional farming backgrounds don’t always think of the Department as a first line of support. Yet, increasingly, the Department receives calls from the sustainable agriculture community and we are clearly in a better position to respond appropriately if we can all be at the table for each other. The more we can be in communication about the issues facing farmers, regardless of practice, the better positioned we are to help the next person.

What follows is just a reminder about a few responsibilities for organic farmers

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A program of the Natio

Sustainable Agriculture

nal Center for Appropria

te Technology 1-800 -346-9140 www.attra .ncat.org

Tipsheet: Treatment of Si ck e o ur r In ult ric ju red Organic Livestock Sustainable Ag

t.org 1-800-346-9140 www.attra.nca for Appropriate Technology A program of the National Center To comply with the United States Departme

nt of Agriculture (USDA) organ ic regulations, livestock producers must estab lish and maintain preventive livestock healt h care practices (see the Organic Approach to Anim al Health tipsheet).

The National Organic Prog ram (NOP) regulations regarding these pract ices are found in the Code of Federal Regulation s (CFR), specifically in 7 CFR §205.238(a). Howe ver, despite the best efforts of producers to enco urage health, some animals will become ill or Department may be injured. These To comply with the United States situations are covered by ions, live§205.238(b), and are of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulat the subject of this tipsheet. maintain stock producers must establish and es (see The regulations [§205.238( preventive livestock health care practic b)] include the folt). g provisions tipsheelowin : the Organic Approach to Animal Health regulay Use of specified synthetic The National Organic Program (NOP) medications is found in the tions regarding these practices are allowed under §205.603— Photo: Robyn Metzger, NCAT Synthetic subspecifically Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), stances allowed for use in organic livestock productio the best n (part of The National List in 7 CFR §205.238(a). However, despite Substances: see www.ams. of Allow some usda ed and Prohibited health, .gov/ age NOPN ationalList) efforts of producers to encour . These y Parasiticides [§205.603(a)(18)] may NOT be used on organic slaug animals will become ill or may be injured hter are and stock y 8(b), Paras iticides that are included situations are covered by §205.23 on the National List may be used as allowed on: Breeding stock, prior to the subject of this tipsheet. the last third of gestation, the folbut not during lactation organically produced; if progeny are to be sold The regulations [§205.238(b)] include as Metzger, NCAT Robyn Photo: Dairy stock, when used lowing provisions: a minimum of 90 days prior is tions to prod medica tic uctio synthe d n of organic milk. y Organic producers may y Use of specifie NOT, accor ding to regulations [§205 subited Prohib .238( allowed under §205.603—Synthetic c)]: The National List of Allowed and Sell as tion of anim (part organ ic any livestock produc al or animal product from stances allowed for use in organic an animal treated with antib subst t) ance (see [§205.604]) onalLis OPNatiited iotics or some other proh Substances: see www.ams.usda.gov/N ibter stock Admon iniste organic r any slaugh drug, other NOT be used than vaccinations, in the y Parasiticides [§205.603(a)(18)] may absence of illness on: Adm allowed as iniste used be r horm may List al ones Nation for growth promotion the y Parasiticides that are included on n if progeny are to be sold as gestati during iniste not paras on,rbut iticid es onlactatio third ofAdm a routine basis.

Breeding stock, prior to the last Finally, the USDA orga nic ed; regu produc latio ally ns [§205 milk. c)(7)] state organic “Withhold medical that the producer of orga tion of organic .238( produc to ment treat from m of 90 days prior nic livestock must not a sick animal in an effor cations must be used to Dairy stock, when used a minimu t to preserve its organic resto status. All appropriate med re an animal to health when 38(c)]: ing to regulations [§205.2 accord NOT, imeth may ers odsprohib produc c accep-table to organic prod To be Organi y “acceptable to organic prod tics or some other antibio with uction fail…” treated uctio animal an n,” from meth t ods must preserve organ animal andproduc use eithe ic integrity; have the likelih r natural substances or certa Sell as organic any animal ortive; ood in of synth being etic 04]) effec subst [§205.6 ances which are included Complementary and altern ited substance (see as allowed on the National ativeeveter of illness inary medicine (CAVM) treatm List. tions, in the absenc puncvaccina ture, chiro ent options, such as herba practic, and other nontraditi Administer any drug, other than lism, home onal methods, are acceptable opathy, acuneeded relieftion promo and care for the animal. Howe to organic production as Administer hormones for growth long as they provide ver, scientific evidence is fiers will objec lacking for most of these t to their use. Using ineffe basis. methods, and some certictive methods to treat not Administer parasiticides on a routine ck must c livesto a sick anim organi of cer al is produ nonc the ompl that iance with organic regulation tions [§205.238(c)(7)] state medis.

Finally, the USDA organic regula ve its organic status. All appropriate a sick animal in an effort to preser “Withhold medical treatment from able to organic production fail…” l to health when methods accept anima an restore to used be effeccations must integrity; have the likelihood of being tion,” methods must preserve organic National List.

To be “acceptable to organic produc which are included as allowed on the ces or certain synthetic substances tive; and use either natural substan sm, homeopathy, acu) treatment options, such as herbali (CAVM ne medici ary veterin provide tive Complementary and alterna organic production as long as they ditional methods, are acceptable to ds, and some certipuncture, chiropractic, and other nontra ce is lacking for most of these metho eviden c scientifi er, Howev . ions. animal needed relief and care for the is noncompliance with organic regulat tive methods to treat a sick animal fiers will object to their use. Using ineffec

Tipsheet: Treatment of Sick or Injured Organic Livestock

having to do with animal treatment. The most important thing to remember is that it is the obligation of any farmer to maintain appropriate livestock healthcare practices, organic or not. By following appropriate protocol, a farmer is not in jeopardy of losing his or her organic certification by treating an animal and is, in fact, in jeopardy of losing certification by not treating the animal. That said, depending on the treatment, the animal

may no longer qualify to be marketed as organic and must follow label for proper withhold time before going to any market.

A great resource for organic livestock farmers, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) recently updated their Tipsheet: Treatment of Sick or Injured Organic Livestock, with support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Marketing Service, National Organic Pro-

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gram. Some of the points covered below are expanded upon in that publication.

The Tipsheet is available from atra.ncat.org or by calling 800-346-9140.

The National Organic Program (NOP) regulations regarding these practices are found in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as follows: USDA organic regulations [§205.238 (c)(7)] state that the producer of organic livestock must not “Withhold medical treatment from a sick animal in an effort to preserve its organic status. All appropriate medications must be used to restore an animal to health when methods acceptable to organic production fail…”

To be “acceptable to organic production,” methods must (a) preserve organic integrity; (b) have the likelihood of being effective; and (c) use either natural substances or certain synthetic substances which are included as allowed on the National List (see www.ams.usda.gov/ NOPNationalList).

Avian Influenza continued from page 3

breaks in poultry but are not generally associated with severe disease.

More information about the most recent HPAI incidents: There have been 2 separate HPAI incidents in the U.S. during the past 15 months. The first represents the largest, most costly animal disease outbreak of any kind in U.S. history. From December 2014 to mid June 2015, multiple western and midwestern U.S. states were affected to varying degrees by HPAI. The parent virus causing this infection was a Eurasian origin H5 HPAI that was “imported” to North America by way of migrating waterfowl crossing the Bering Sea in fall 2014. As this infection was introduced and spread across the country, it caused the depopulation and disposal of nearly 50 million domestic birds in over 220 premises in 15 states, at costs estimated above 1 billion dollars. Export bans of U.S. poultry products by dozens of coun-

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Below are some key points: • Be observant and maintain thorough and detailed records.

• Record all animal illnesses, treatments, and outcomes, looking for patterns or possible management issues.

• Regularly ask other organic farmers what they are observing with their own animals, sharing what you are seeing, and seek advice from your veterinarian to help troubleshoot persistent problems.

• Have an established relationship with a veterinarian who is familiar with organic production systems. At a minimum, give your veterinarian a copy of the National List, should the need for treatment arise.

Your Organic System Plan (OSP) should detail planned preventive measures and must list all substances you plan to use for treatment of sick or injured animals.

Any and all products used must be approved by your certifier prior to use, therefore call your veterinarian before the

tries added to the financial losses. Several flocks in Canada (British Columbia and Ontario) were also affected. The majority of the U.S. outbreak was centered in the Midwest, and affected predominantly commercial turkeys and commercial egg laying chickens in Minnesota and Iowa.

In the U.S., there are 4 main migratory waterfowl flyways, the Pacific, Midwest, Mississippi and Atlantic. To date, some states in every flyway except the Atlantic flyway have been affected by this virus group.

A separate and much more limited HPAI incident, involving a completely different virus, occurred in January 2016 in 1 county in Indiana where it was quickly contained. This virus infected several commercial turkey flocks in LPAI form, and switched to HPAI in only 1 of the flocks. This was a North American waterfowl origin H7 LPAI virus that became a “home-grown” HPAI as it infected the domestic turkeys.

No further detections of either virus type have been made to date.

animal is too ill to be helped.

If your animal is not responding to approved interventions, you must use conventional treatments to prevent suffering.

In the case of death of the animal, consider a post-mortem evaluation for information to prevent further losses. What you learn may not only be helpful in managing livestock on your own farm but, in sharing what you have learned, it may be helpful to others facing a similar situation.

Keep all purchase and sales records and labels for your inspector’s review.

Nonorganic animals do not have to be physically segregated from organic animals during grazing or management as long as they can be identified and separated before sale (i.e., distinct ear tag).

Your OSP should detail a plan for identifying nonorganic animals so they are not sold as organic (maintain documentation of sale as conventional livestock). Contact your certifier with questions or to call the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Animal Health at 717-772-2855.

If HPAI is detected in a flock in PA, what can be expected?

HPAI detection in a flock triggers the state regulatory agency [PA Department of Agriculture (PDA)] to initiate an official quarantine of the flock premises. State and USDA personnel, working with the owner, will manage and oversee appraisal of the birds still alive in the flock, depopulation of the survivors, management and ultimate disposal of the carcasses, virus elimination procedures, follow-up testing, release from quarantine and re-stocking.

USDA is also in charge of compensation including the bird appraisal amount as well as set costs per bird for the virus elimination step. The steps up to and including depopulation should ideally be done within 24 to 48 hours of detection of the HPAI infection. The full process will take approximately 60–120 days. The goal is to restore production on affected premises as soon as possible without compromising future poultry health on that premises or other farms in the area. continued on page 27

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Practical Guidance for Organic Potato Production on the Medium Scale Produce Farm Tips on planting, cultivation, pest management and harvesting for high yields and quality Stephen Hobaugh, Certification Specialist

Yields of 20,000 pounds of potatoes per acre are possible within a certified organic production system. A roomful of farmers gathered in State College for the February 2016 PASA conference to learn lessons on organic potato production from PCO-Certified farmer John Good, owner/operator of Quiet Creek Farm CSA (QCC). QCC is a certified-organic, 275-member CSA model in Kutztown, PA focusing on providing “staple” produce to its members. QCC is in its 11th year of production and has 10 acres of certified organic vegetables, marketed 99% through their CSA. John Good, speaking on behalf of QCC, drew upon his decades of produce production to provide an enriching presentation detailing some hard-earned methods he has developed.

Co-presenting at this event was PCO’s very own Heather Donald, Senior Certification Specialist, who helped provide a background to those farmers in the audience who are considering organic certification for their potato production.

For readers at home wondering how John’s production scale compares to theirs, John starts with 1,600 pounds of potatoes annually and plants those over 1 acre. He uses “medium-tech” equipment including tillage, slicing, planting, hilling, cultivating, and harvesting equipment.

His land is relatively flat, with portions that have less well-drained soils than what would be desired for potato production.

QCC employs 3–4 farm workers making typically a 5-person crew, working on 10 acres of vegetable production, with no livestock. “As a produce farmer, I consider potatoes the closest thing I have to a ‘grain-crop’ in terms of management practices,” John began, highlighting the main theme of his presentation: clean fields = high yields.

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The Quiet Creek team of workers ride a water wheel transplanter seeding 1 acre of potatoes in 8 hours. Photo: John Good

John starts every season by selecting the best field for production. Potatoes thrive in a well-drained, high-shale soil.

Avoid production in a heavy, wet, and clay soil. John likes to prepare a fine soil for production using tillage practices.

Using a spader, he achieves light soil, enhancing his ability to work within the soil, the benefits of which can be observed during hilling and cultivating practices.

Seed potatoes require consideration in a number of ways to ensure a healthy crop. John advises selecting strong varieties as a starting point. His variety testing throughout the years has lead him to use Sangria, Satina and Lehigh and then always trying a limited quantity of about 2 new varieties annually. You can estimate how much seed you will need with the ratio of 1 pound of seed for 10 row feet at a 12-inch spacing, 2 rows per bed, and 5–6 foot beds. Seed potatoes should be sliced to smaller pieces to distribute the amount of “eyes” on each potato into

more seed. John uses a piece of equipment called a Trexler Potato Slicer and can process 1600 pounds of seed potatoes in 1–2 hours using a 3-person team. These slicers are no longer used in conventional potato production as they have been replaced by larger more industrialized equipment, and can be purchased used at a reasonable price that may be feasible in your business. John plants the seed potatoes within 24 hours of slicing; he finds he has germination rates of nearly 100% and never bothers “chitting” the seed or allowing the cuts to heal prior to planting.

John has tried a number of different planting timing strategies, using various types of equipment to deal with the varying soil conditions; he now consistently plants in mid-to-late April. He has used a mechanical planter, a water wheel transplanter, and hand planting, and has been preparing to experiment using a relatively low-tech solution called a tube planter.

The mechanical planter, or two-row

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potato planter, is the most efficient equipment for planting of those listed. With one person driving the tractor and one person riding the machine one acre of potatoes can be planted in 2–4 hours.

Using a water wheel transplanter 1 acre can be planted in 8 hours with 3 workers.

An added benefit of the water wheel transplanter is a mixture of water and a commercially available product can be applied to each seed, for example a fungal inoculant. Hand planting is not advised for this level of production.

Perhaps the greatest key in a successful potato crop is cultivation and hilling. The Williams tine weeder is used approximately 1 week after planting and weekly until emergence. John chooses the tine weeder for its flexibility of use in other produce applications, however he warns it is a long implement and will not lend itself well to a hilly farm. Different cultivation options may be better suited for your particular farm, but consider a consistent cultivation schedule including two hillings; once one week after emergence and again 7–14 days later. As John says, “The rules are more important than the tools.”

The two main pests that can be detrimental to the potato plant are the Colorado Potato Beetle and the Potato Leafhopper. The beetle overwinters in Pennsylvania and so the best method for prevention of a breeding beetle population is a crop rotation plan. John also has a healthy population of Solider Bugs on his farm, a beneficial insect that preys on the beetle. The Potato Leafhopper is quite different in the sense that it does not overwinter in Pennsylvaia, and instead migrates up from the southern United States to Pennsylvania by late April to early May. John has had success by planting his potatoes in mid-April to avoid the leafhopper problems; the earlier you plant the better because the leafhoppers either won’t have arrived yet or their population will still be small.

In the instance of an infestation that cannot be averted by preventative measures such as crop rotation John recommends a B.T. or Spinosad based pesticide.

Organic approved pesticides often bear the “pesticide” restriction for use in organic production. This restriction as

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Above: Cultivation and hilling is John’s best advice for productive potato plants.

Photo: John Good

Right: The Colorado Potato Beetle overwinters in Pennsylvania soil. Use crop rotation to prevent the adult beetle’s first breeding population from calling your potatoes home.

stated in PCO’s literature for allowed pesticide materials is, “May be used if preventative, mechanical, and physical management practices provided for at §205.206(a)-(d) are insufficient to prevent or control crop pests, weeds, and diseases. The operator must document conditions for using the substance in organic system plan. §205.206(e).” Preventative measures that are required by the organic regulations are: crop rotation, soil nutrient management, sanitation measures to remove the habitat for pest organisms, and cultural practices that enhance crop health including selection of plant species and variety with regard to suitability to site-specific conditions and resistance to prevalent pests. PCO members can reference the 2016 Annual PCO Approved Materials List for invertebrate pest control materials as well as the applicable restrictions. When a restricted pesticide material is used, the operator must document their usage of the material within their record-keeping system.

The main disease that affects potatoes is late blight. This fungus will kill the

plants above ground and develop sores on the potatoes below. These sores are unidentifiable prior to development and will rot the tuber and render the potato inedible and unmarketable, and may develop weeks after harvest. The best method for combating late blight is to remove infected portions of the foliage from your fields and use a copper-based spray during periods of infestation. John recommends that if the tubers have already developed, then you can mow off the tops of the potato plant to eliminate the living tissue the fungus calls home.

Potatoes are susceptible to rotting in the field in the spring, however, the plant requires moisture to develop tubers, and so irrigation plays an important role at a particular time in the lifecycle of the plant to produce potatoes. The critical portion in which the potatoes will benefit from irrigation is after the plant flowers. John prefers using overhead irrigation except for in dry seasons when he prefers to use drip irrigation.

For operations on the scale of at least continued on page 10

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Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Conference a Great Success Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and PCO Certified organic farmer shares insights on organic industry

The conference was coordinated through the PA Dept. of Agriculture with support from personnel from Rodale Institute, PA Certified Organic (PCO), Organic Valley Dairy, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA Certified organic farmers and PA Farm Link.

Nicole Lawrence McNeil, Membership and Development Specialist

Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms 2nd annual educational farm conference, held on December 15th and 16th, 2015, consisted of in-depth presentations on current organic farming issues.

Speakers included successful organic farmers, accomplished organic university researchers as well as farm industry representatives dedicated to organic production. This conference annually supports Pennsylvania’s organic farms with information and discussion on the best of the available organic farming practices.

PA Department of Ag Deputy Secretary Hannah Smith-Brubaker opened 2015’s conference by speaking about the organic industry and her personal experiences, both with the Pennsylvania Department of Ag (PDA), and on the PCO certified organic farm she operates with her family, Village Acres. One of the major initiatives the PDA is working on, Smith-Brubaker said, has to do with resource development.

Smith-Brubaker opened her keynote by acknowledging the shortage of available and skilled workers in the agricultural industry, emphasizing that the PDA is looking to actively support affected farmers. Smith-Brubaker, speaking openly about the lack of qualified farm managers, dairy herdsmen, farm equipment mechanics, and etc., discussed the PDA’s recommendation that farmers recruit workers who may come from completely different backgrounds than traditional agriculture fields. In fact, Smith-Brubaker has successfully employed this tactic on her own farm, bringing on employees that did not previously work in agriculture. Additionally, the PDA is working with incubator farms, institutes of higher learning, and research farms to develop career pathways that have a clear direction into agriculture, hoping to in turn alleviate

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Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Deputy Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

pressures farmers face when looking for appropriate farm help.

Smith-Brubaker’s unique perspective as both a Deputy Secretary and a PCO certified organic farmer lent itself to insightful observances, and she spoke realistically on the struggles of attracting younger generations to the farm. Saying, “over the past few decades we have spent so much time trying to make agriculture palatable to the next generation that we have forgotten to emphasize how important actually being a farmer is; it isn’t just the agriculture related endeavors, but really having the next generation of farmers. I know that you are all playing a role in that effort.”

The GPOF conference provided an excellent opportunity for those rooted in organics to learn about exciting trends, research developments, and marketing opportunities within the agricultural industry. Conference tracks included: Fruit and Vegetable, Field Crops, Dairy Livestock, Poultry, and Meats and Market-Ready Products. Future conferences will touch upon these subsets of organic agriculture and more, so keep an eye out for news of 2016’s GPOF event, to be held in December.

PCO Certified Farmers, Board Members and Committee Members shared their knowledge by providing the following workshops: Jeff Mattocks, The Fertrell Company • The Economics of Pastured Poultry • Alternatives to Corn and Soy • Mycotoxins, Manure Signals, and Health Issues • Advanced Pastured Poultry Jeff Moyer, Rodale, Institute John Good, Quiet Creek Farm • Weed Control Options for Field Crops and Vegetables • Meat Production & Market Ready Products Brian Moyer, PSU Extension • Market Channel Evaluation & Pricing for Profitable Retail Meat Sales

For more information about the 2016 GPOF Conference or to get involved, contact Nicole Lawrence McNeil, PCO Membership & Development Specialist and GPOF Committee member. nicole@paorganic.org or 814-422-0251.

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Combating Striped Cucumber Beetles with Organic Controls Utilizing trap cropping, sanitation, crop rotation, row covers and repellents to safeguard your cash crops

products, because they can also kill beneficials. If you feel you must use these, be sure to spray at night or when the sun isn’t harsh.

Tess Weigand Certification Specialist

The second annual Growing Pennsylvania’s Organic Farms Conference, held in Hershey in mid-December featured some of the nation’s most knowledgeable organic farming educators. Abby Seaman, Vegetable IPM Area Educator for Cornell, shared multifaceted techniques for controlling vegetable pests organically.

Although Seaman covered numerous pests, highlighted below you’ll find helpful techniques on protecting your valuable crops from one of the most difficult pests to combat organically, the Striped Cucumber Beetle (SCB). Most seasoned organic farmers are well aware that the SCBs can decimate cucurbits. The effect of the SCB appears immediately, and is most evident, when direct seeding.

It is imperative to correctly identify which pests you have present in your vegetable fields. SCBs are ¼-inch long beetles with black and yellow longitudinal stripes, a black head, and a black abdomen.

Depending on where you are located, these beetles can have up to two generations per season and it is important to note that they can damage crops at both the larval and adult stage. Overwintered adults become active in the spring as soon as cucurbits appear. They lay their eggs at the base of the plant and the larva causes severe damage to the young roots. When in their adult stage the damage is foliar, which resembles damage from the Western Corn Rootworm. These beetles can also transmit a bacterium that causes wilt and can wipe out an entire crop of cucurbits. Determining whether your damage is from the Corn Rootworm or the SCB is done by examining the underside of the insect. SCBs are black on the underside.

Cultural Controls Crop Rotation and Sanitation: You can

minimize larvae feeding and thus root damage by keeping the larvae and beetles at bay until the plants are larger and there-

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Repellents: Utilizing repellents such as

kaolin clay or Surround 305.206(e) in combination with trap cropping can be an effective strategy. These repellents decrease your cash crop’s attractiveness in relation to the trap crop.

Striped Adult Cucumber Beetle.

Photo: University of Maryland Extension: Raupp

fore less susceptible. Unfortunately, crop rotation and sanitation alone will not help avoid pest damage completely; they will simply delay the SCBs instead of preventing them from colonizing your crop.

Transplant: If you can transplant, instead

of direct seed, your transplants will be more tolerant of both feeding damage and bacteria wilt.

Trap Crops: Another management strategy

for combating SCBs is known as trap cropping. To employ this technique, plant another, more attractive cultivar, around the perimeter of the cash crop to attract the beetles. Attractive trap crops for the SCBs include cultivars such as Blue Hubbard, Buttercup, and Dark Green Zucchini. For the most effective trap cropping, be sure that the trap crop plants are larger than the cash crop plants and completely surround the cash crop plants.

It is important to note that the trap crop will likely not be marketable and that it must be mowed and disked under after over wintering to kill off the eggs and larvae. This will take valuable time, but it may be the only way to hinder larger populations. You can also treat your trap crop with Pyganic 205.206(e) or Azera 205.206(e), but you must use good management techniques when using these

Row Covers: For smaller acreages, row covers have been used with good success.

Be sure to apply immediately after planting, seal the edges well, and remove when flowers appear for pollination. Parthenocarpic (not needing pollination) varieties of cucumber may be grown season-long under row cover or netting.

Material Controls Treating your transplants with kaolin clay before planting and frequently during early season growth can help hinder infestation. SCBs tends to colonize from the outside, so if using products for insect control, you will have to keep reapplying.

With early season SCB populations you can apply beneficial nematodes to the root systems of plants to reduce, but not fully control, the following generation.

Beneficial nematode application may also be an option for controlling larvae on the roots of a trap crop.

In summary, the Striped Cucumber Beetle is complicated to control and no single technique works best. You must employ multiple methods for prevention and control and only you know what is most feasible for your farm. Remember, the most important pest management tool is frequent and thorough scouting.

References Brian Caldwell, Eric Sideman, Abby Seaman, Anthony Shelton & Christine Smart (2013).

Resource Guide for Organic Insect and Disease Management, 2nd Edition A limited number of copies are available from the NYSAES online bookstore for $20 + shipping.

A free pdf is available at web.pppmb.cals. cornell.edu/resourceguide

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Potato Production continued from page 7

one acre of potato production, John states that a root digger is the best method of harvest, though you may also have success with a middle buster plow or a potato plow. Available at about $1,500 in the used market, the root digger has a conveyor belt system that brings the potato to the surface of the soil. Workers then follow behind the tractor and collect the potatoes. Potatoes store best at 60–65°F for about 1 week until the wounds from harvesting heal, then should be moved into a colder long-term storage of 40–45°F with a high humidity of 90–95%.

Heather Donald works directly with farmers seeking certification. Her contribution to the seminar complimented the agricultural practices portion of John’s speech by providing the foundational knowledge of the requirements for certified organic potato production. The presentation included an overview of what the farmer would need to be certified for,

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the transition smoothly. The Transition program is an annual opportunity entitling you to an on-farm visit from a PCO employee to whom you can ask any questions you may have about organic certification. You will also have access to phone and email support from PCO staff.

Farmers enrolled in this program will have access to the PCO and OMRI approved materials list and the PCO certification manual, and a subscription to the John uses a tine weeder to cultivate twice before Organic Matters and eNews. emergence, and twice after emergence during hilling.

Whether your farm is already Photo: John Good certified and you are considering some of the regulations applying directly wholesale potato production, or you are to potato production, and a brief overview not yet certified and considering organic of the certification process. For more production, these tips and guides will help information on these topics, please con- you in deciding what is best for your farm. tact Heather directly at heather@paor- Farmers have the opportunity to fill a rising demand for local and organic options ganic.org or 814-422-0251.

If you are considering making the within the wholesale market, and now you switch to organic certification, but are not have one farmer’s secrets within an organic production system to have wholesure your land is eligible yet, PCO has developed a program to help you make sale yields.

www.paorganic.org

PA Organic FarmFest 2016 offers special deals for sponsors and vendors Looking for an opportunity to engage your customers or members?

Consider partnering with Pennsylvania Certified Organic and be a part of the 5th Annual Pennsylvania Organic FarmFest. Held on July 29 from 9:30am–10:30pm and July 30 from 9:00am–8:00pm at the Centre County Grange Fairgrounds in Centre Hall, PA, FarmFest is a fun, community-building event that fosters knowledge of organic agriculture and sustainable living through educational opportunities, local foods, lively entertainment and interactive family activities. And best of all, it is free to PCO members.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

VENDOR/EXHIBITOR OPPORTUNITIES

EVERY sponsor receives a base package of:

Food Court Vendors Tempt hungry festival goes with your made to eat on-site food items at a 10’x20’ space at the outdoor Organic Food Court.

Food Court Space: $100 deposit, plus 10% of sales

• An indoor 10’x10’ exhibit space • Recognition in PCO’s weekly e-news • Listing with link on the FarmFest website • Access to the hospitality tent Sun Sponsor ($1,500) — base package, plus your company’s brand associated with a major FarmFest area. Contact us for current availability, including Exhibit Hall, Food Court, Keynote Speakers, Media Package and more. Includes 1/4 page Organic Matters ad and a PCO Business Membership.

Soil Sponsor ($1,000) — base package, plus your company’s brand associated with an event/area/band of your choice.

Contact us for current availability, including bands, Landscaping Plants, Art Show, Natural Health Symposium and more. Includes 1/4 page Organic Matters ad and a PCO Business Membership.

Water Sponsor ($500–$999) — base package, plus festival banner sponsored in your name and 1/8 page Organic Matters ad.

Seed Sponsor ($250) — includes base package.

Sponsor FarmFest and get your company name on one of the famous Vamos Lion Pedicabs!

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Craft & Farm Vendors Farmers: market your business, sell your farm products and advertise your CSA and farmers market hours. Artists: display, sell and demonstrate your artisan crafts. Reserve your space at the Homemade & Homegrown Market!

Outdoor Market Space: $40 Indoor Market Space: $50 Commercial Vendors Sell your wares and get your name in front of your target audience with a 10’x10’ booth in our Exhibit Hall or outdoors.

Outdoor Commercial Space: $75 Indoor Commercial Space: $100 Non-Profit Organizations Get the word out about your organization, reach out to potential members, increase your mailing list and sell your organizational merchandise at a 10’x10’ booth. Non-profit Exhibitor Space: 25% discount on commercial vendor spaces

Visit farmfest.paorganic.org or email farmfest@paorganic.org to sign up today!

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dave Johnson, PCO Advisory Board President

It looks like we are beginning another year expecting the unexpected.

The winter weather over the last 3 months has been anything but a normal winter, green grass throughout December, a crushing (literally for some barns) snowfall for the southeast areas in February, and unusually dry and bare ground for the northern tier.

During a trip to Lancaster County on February 2, I declined several generous offers to take any snow back north.

So what are the implications for those of us attempting to farm with such bizarre weather extremes? I think the best advice is to expect the unexpected. For my farm, that means selecting seed varieties and planting dates that may be a bit out of the ordinary for maturity length and typical soil conditions, or even choosing alternate crops, knowing it may be better to diversify given the chance it may be very hot

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and dry or very wet and cool or some variant of these conditions, and field and weather conditions may not allow to do the expected work when expected.

Some farmers are finding that grain sorghum, sorghum sudan, or millet is a good alternative to corn silage in a challenging year with little moisture or no cultivating window. Grazers planting small grains in the fall or spring (even into existing swards) are discovering high quality grazing in those unusual fringe months of the growing season. Buckwheat and other short season crops can fill a niche when the weather doesn’t deliver as expected.

Just to confirm we farm outside the box, my son Caleb wants to try a common practice found in Canada and more northern climates; drill oats into slightly frozen soybean stubble in early March to get a jump on planting and avoid the sometimes extended spring soil dry down needed for conventional planting. We won’t need the markers if we have a little snow cover!

The organic outlook is equally unpredictable. Estimating demand and selling

prices for your crops could be a wild guess given imports, international trade and currency rates, energy prices or world conflicts. The latest regulatory updates or guidance documents from the Food and Drug Aministration, Environmental Protection Agency or National Organic Program could impact how you farm, how you sell or handle your product, or the materials you use. Certifiers can change how they view a given rule or material.

Though we strive to be consistent, PCO changes and evolves to better serve the needs of the organic certification marketplace. All in all, expect change!

As producers, beginning a new season gives us the opportunity to repeat all our past practices and mistakes expecting different results, or to experiment with some new ideas or practices with the eternal optimism of a farmer that this will be the year that everything falls into place. But whichever, let us act with conviction that we are doing the best we know for our soils, our food system, and our community.

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Dear Aggy, I’m looking to change my dairy mineral mixes, and there’s a local salesperson who claims to be having great results. I don’t see any of his mixes on the PCO List of Allowed Materials and I’m not sure if his mixes are allowed — how do I proceed?

— Minny Rals

When switching to a custom mineral mix, please keep in mind the following: • Confirm with PCO prior to using a new mix that ingredients are in compliance, by submitting mix tickets/labels to PCO for review.

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According to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, custom minerals must be accompanied by a label, invoice, delivery slip or other shipping document bearing the following information: • Name and address of the manufacturer • Name and address of the purchaser • Date of delivery • Product name, brand name, the net weight of each commercial feed used,

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Custom Mineral Mixes

Dear Minny Rals, PCO reviews custom mineral mixes individually for each producer, and does not include them in the published PCO list of Approved Materials.

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DEAR AGGY — Readers’ Letters

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plus the net weight of other ingredients used • Adequate directions for use for all customer-formula feeds as required by regulation • Warning or cautionary statements as required by regulations The manufacturer/guarantor needs to maintain an active commercial feed mill license. A license is required for each feed manufacturing facility located in Pennsylvania and for each guarantor of feed who distributes a product in Pennsylvania.

For more information on Feed Mill licensing in Pennsylvania, contact Dave Dressler, Program Specialist — Feed, Fertilizer, Lime and Soil/Plant Amendments: (717) 772-5216, davdressle@pa.gov

www.paorganic.org

RECIPE CORNER

Ginger Mashers Do you ever eat real, home-made mashed potatoes, and ask yourself, “why don’t I have these more often?” Here’s a tasty variation on mashed potatoes that is good to serve with fish or pork (or anything that doesn’t require a traditional side dish). If you already have a good mashed potato recipe, just cut back on salt a bit and skip to the last step.

Directions • Peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks. Cover 2⁄3 of way with water and salt lightly. Simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until fork tender, 15–20 minutes.

• Uncover, and carefully cook to reduce the cooking water to just a few tablespoons. Using an old fashioned, hand potato masher, mash until smooth (in the pot with the reduced cooking water) • Sliver the sliced ginger trying not to drain the brine.

Ingredients 6 round white potatoes Our local potatoes are much nicer for mashed potatoes than are Idaho Russets. You also don’t want new, waxy, potatoes.

1⁄2

cup cream, buttermilk or sour cream, or a combination

6 Tablespoons butter 3 Tablespoons sliced pickled ginger (for sushi) Most grocery stores will have this, but you may need to ask where it is. It may be refrigerated.

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• Stir in cream (or buttermilk or sour cream), ginger and pepper. Keep stirring until very smooth, adding more liquid if needed. Taste for salt. The real secret to mashed potatoes is plenty of butter and enough salt. If needed, you can reheat by adding more cream.

Serves 2 (that’s a joke — in theory, depending on the size of your potatoes, it will serve 4 to 6) — Debra Deis, Product Manager & Organic Program Coordinator at Seedway, LLC

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Organic Updates

Certification Update Kyla Smith, Certification Director

PCO Experiences Highest Rate of Growth in 10 Years PCO certified a total of 838 operations in 2015, which is a 40% increase over 2014. PCO also experienced significant increases in the number of info packs sent, the number of applications received, and the number of new certifications issued. See the chart below left for more detailed information on the aforementioned increases.

Livestock (including dairy and poultry) operations continue to represent the type of operation that PCO certifies the most, at 52 percent. The distribution of the types of operations by scope that PCO certifies has stayed fairly consistent over the past two years. See the chart below right.

Certification by Category Certification by Comparison 2013

2014

1009

2015

900 838 784

Livestock 52%

283 237

220

194

180

169

142 77

16

Crops 31%

580 601

570

Info Packs Sent

Handling 17%

123 65

Applications New Received Certifications Issued

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44

65

Nonrenewals/ Surrenders

Main Operations Certified

Contracted Operations Certified

Inspections Completed

Organic Updates continue on page 17

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Organic Updates

Legislative Update

Full versions of the documents referenced here are available electronically on the NOP website (ams.usda.gov/nop) or in hard copy by contacting the PCO office.

Kyla Smith, Certification Director

AMS Organic Assessment Exemption Final Rule The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule changing the exemption from assessments for commodity promotion activities (Marketing Orders and Research and Promotion Programs) for producers, handlers, and importers of certified organic products. This rule, effective February 29, 2016, expands the eligibility for exemption to cover all “organic” and “100 percent organic” products certified under the National Organic Program regardless of whether the person requesting the exemption also produces, handles, markets, processes, manufactures, feeds, or imports conventional or nonorganic products (i.e. “split operations”). AMS will announce any upcoming outreach activities and materials in the coming weeks.

Elanor Starmer named Acting Administrator of AMS After Anne Alonzo’s departure in January as Administrator of the Agricultural Marketing Service, Secretary Vilsack has named Elanor Starmer Acting Administrator. Elanor most recently served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary on a variety of issues including local and regional food systems, Foods Safety Modernization Act, and organic. Before that, she was Coordinator and Advisor on Local and Regional Food Systems at USDA, and spent some time at Food & Water Watch as the Western Region Director.

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Standards & Policy Update Kyla Smith, Certification Director

Guidance on Natural Resources and Biodiversity The National Organic Program recently published final guidance on Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation for Certified Organic Operations (NOP 5020). Conserving natural resources and biodiversity is a core principle of organic production. This guidance provides examples of production practices that support these conservation principles and demonstrate compliance with 7 CFR §205.200. This guidance also clarifies: 1) the certified organic operator’s responsibility to select, carry out and record production practices that “maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation;” 2) the accredited certifying agent’s (certifier) responsibility to verify operator compliance with the requirement; and 3) how domestic organic operations that participate in a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program and the National Organic Program (NOP) can reduce their paperwork burdens.

Continued on page 18

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All natural and organic acceptable livestock supplements, fertilizers and soil amendments.

The Fertrell Company • 800-347-1566 • fertrell.com www.paorganic.org

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Organic Updates

Continued from page 17

Guidance on Substances Used in Post-Harvest Handling of Organic Products The National Organic Program recently published final guidance on the post-harvest handling of organic products for USDA-accredited certifying agents and certified and exempt organic operations (NOP 5023). This guidance clarifies: 1) what substances may be used for post-harvest handling; 2) the difference between “post-harvest handling or raw agricultural commodities” and “further processing”; and 3) the regulatory requirements for facility pest management. This guidance further defines post-harvest substances and post-harvest handling.

National List Sunset Dates

advisory board is comprised of representatives from across the organic community. The new members will fill positions designated to represent sectors of the organic community. The terms began on January 24, 2016 and are 5 years in length. n Harriet Behar — Wisconsin Appointed as an expert in Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation, Harriet Behar has served the organic industry for 27 years. She currently works as a Senior Organic Specialist at the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) and is a Technical Service Provider for the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Ms. Behar is an organic farmer and owner of Sweet Springs Farm in Wisconsin.

New Members Appointed to the National Organic Standards Board

n Jesse Buie — Mississippi Jesse Buie is one of two new Organic Producer Representatives. Mr. Buie has been farming for 20 years and currently works as President/Farmer of Ole Brook Organics, Inc, which has been certified organic for three years. He is also the President and CEO of Total Care Solutions, a healthcare management firm, and Owner and Chief Pilot of Airtravel South, Inc., a pilot training and aircraft rental company. Mr. Buie is a Veteran of the United States Army Medical Service Corps, last serving as a Major before retirement.

Secretary Vilsak has appointed six new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member

n Emily Oakley — Oklahoma Emily Oakley is one of two new Organic Producer Repre-

The National Organic Program recently published a revision to National List Sunset Dates (NOP 5611) that replaces the August 27, 2015 version. Changes to the document reflect the removal of fortified cooking wine from the National List resulting from the 2015 sunset review process and the removal of two expired materials from the National List (streptomycin and tetracycline).

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Organic Updates

sentatives. Ms. Oakley is the Founding Partner and Co-owner of Three Springs Farm in Oaks, Oklahoma. Three Springs Farm is a 20-acre certified organic vegetable farm. Ms. Oakley received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, with an area of emphasis in Sustainable Agricultural Development, from Long Island University and a Masters of Science in International Agriculture Development from the University of California, Davis. n Scott Rice — Oregon The NOSB’s new Accredited Certifying Agent Representative is Scott Rice. Mr. Rice currently works at the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Organic Program as its Organic Accreditation and Quality Manager. He is a member of Tilth Producers’ Policy Subcommittee and is the current Board Chair of the Accredited Certifiers Association. Mr. Rice earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sustainable Agriculture from Evergreen State College in Washington State. n Vena Romero-Briones — Hawaii Vena Romero-Briones has been appointed as a Public Interest or Consumer Interest Representative. Ms. Romero-Briones works as a Food & Agricultural Consultant for the First Nations Development Institute, and is also the co-founder and Executive Director of non-profit for Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Princeton University, and attended Arizona State University’s College of Law. n Daniel Seitz — Massachusetts Daniel Seitz, J.D., has been appointed as a Public Interest or Consumer Interest Representatives. Mr. Seitz serves as the Executive Director for the Council of Naturopathic Medical Education and also works as a consultant and facilitator for non-profit organizations. He holds doctorates in both Education and Law. Mr. Seitz serves on the Board for Berkshire Co-op Market and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.

Full versions of the documents referenced here are available electronically on the NOP website (ams.usda.gov/nop) or in hard copy by contacting the PCO office.

Staff Update PCO Welcome New Staff Jennifer Berkebile, Materials Program Manager Jen joined PCO as the Materials Program Manager in February of 2016. She is originally from Johnstown, PA, but currently resides in State College with her cat, Leslie Knope. She holds a a masters degree in ecology from Penn State and a bachelors degree in biology from Duquesne University. In her free time, she enjoys reading, camping, hiking, and re-finishing furniture.

Angela Morgan, Quality Systems and IT Manager Angela joined the PCO staff in February of 2016 as the Quality Systems and IT Manager. Prior to working at PCO Angela spent 21+ years working at a Contract Research Organization that supported analytical and specialty environmental services as well as biopharmaceutical drug development. She started out as a Laboratory Technician and moved on to specialize in Document Control, Process Improvement, and Quality Systems Management. In her spare time Angela enjoys reading, cooking and writing poetry.

Advertise in Organic Matters Organic Matters is the quarterly newsletter of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, a non-profit organization serving growers, processors and handlers of organic products. Issues contain articles on the latest news and research in the organic industry, often highlighting our certified members. Approximately 1,500 copies of each publication are distributed directly to members and those requesting information about organic agriculture, and made available to the public at conferences, exhibits and educational programs in the Mid‐Atlantic region.

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The above rates refer to a single-issue ad placement and a subscription for ad placement in four consecutive issues.

A 15% discount is granted for the purchase of the 4-issue subscription.

For more information, please contact newsletter@paorganic.org or call the PCO Office at 814-422-0251.

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Employment Opportunities

Come join the PCO Team!

Want to work with people committed to ensuring the integrity of organic products?

For a full description of duties and qualifications, visit paorganic.org/jobs. n Certification Specialist The ideal candidate will have education and / or experience in the following areas: familiarity with regulatory compliance and organic certification, knowledge of organic standards and food science/processing. We are looking for a well-organized and self-motivated person to join our team-oriented environment in Spring Mills, Pennsylvania. Remote consideration will be given to applicants with previous certification experience.

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Salary range: $38,000 to $48,000, depending on experience.

Benefits: health, dental, vision, disability and life insurance; Simple IRA, generous holiday, vacation and paid time off.

Above position will remain open until filled.

Full job descriptions are available at paorganic.org.

How to apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter to (electronic submissions preferred): Lia Sandoval, lia@paorganic.org • 814-422-0251

PCO’s partnership with the Gluten Fee Certification Organization (GFCO) provides you with a streamlined inspection process that…

• Simplifies the inspection process — PCO and GFCO will coordinate the scheduling of a simultaneous inspection for both gluten-free and organic certifications.

• Saves time —one inspector conducts a combined inspection of both gluten-free and organic products.

• Saves money —the amount of inspection fees and travel expenses incurred is reduced by having a combined inspection.

Contact PCO about becoming certified gluten-free under the dual-inspection process.

814-422-0251 • pco@paorganic.org

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Organic Marketplace

FOR SALE CROPS: PCO Certified organic produce. Several 1,000 lb. bins of red beets at $1.00/lb. Several 1,000 lb. bins of russet and yukon gold potatoes at $0.75 cents/lb. Twelve 750 lb. bins of butternut squash at $500 per bin. Twelve 750 lb. bins of gray kabocha squash at $500 per bin. Looking for buyers to purchase certified organic product beginning Summer of 2016. Contact John S. Zook at 23 Zehners Rohrsburg Rd., Orangeville, PA 17859 — no phone. Columbia County.

Dairy quality organic baleage, organic corn & organic soybeans.

OEFFA Certified. Forage test results available, we can do local deliveries. We custom dry and store organic grain. Call 570-4121392. Union County.

Organic Baleage for sale. Individually wrapped round bales. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th cutting. Alfalfa and mixed hay. 717-471-9438. 1 Mile of I78 in northern Berks County.

Organic Dry Hay, Baleage and Straw in 4x4 wrapped round bales.

High energy and digestibility, Priced based on forage test results.Trucking available. Organic grains and seed also available, call for availability. Provident Farms, Dave Johnson 570-3242285. Tioga County.

www.paorganic.org

REAL ESTATE Historic 1847 brick home in rural Juniata Co. sits on 14 PA Certified Organic acres! Features wood floors, 4 bedrooms, 6 fireplaces, front & rear stairways, open foyer. Potential for lg family or a B&B! $235,000. MLS#10253973 http://3857rt35s.c21.com/ Ask for Kristen 717.994.6627. Juniata County.

SERVICES Manure management plans, Ag erosion and settlement plans, manure brokering, and nutrient management planning. Government certified. Contact Ned Fogleman 717-994-4630.

Ag plastic recycling — I can use black and white bunker covers, bale wrap, plastic twine, clear stretch film, greenhouse covers, flats, and pots. Call . 717-658-9660. Franklin County, PA.

WANTED Organic Raw Milk. ACF Organics, LLC, d/b/a Amish Country Farms located in Totowa, NJ is looking to procure certified organic raw milk from farmers in PA. Ken Tensen: 800-990-3447 x202.

TO ADVERTISE Contact the PCO Office for information on advertising in the Marketplace. Call 814-422-0251 or email pco@paorganic.org.

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PCO Welcomes 1st Quarter New Members!

BUSINESS MEMBERS Amanda Pedersen Pedersen Produce LLC Fredericksburg, PA

Alina Corey Eastern Soy Products, LLC Kreamer, PA

Dwight Leaman Lime Valley Mill Farm Willow Street, PA

Joe Curfman Alliance, OH

Ethan Liddick Liddick Farms Filmore, NY

Daniel Davis Richville, NY

Bruce Schumann Grand Valley Fortifiers Cambridge Ontario, Canada

Curt Dietz Cee Dee Farms Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA

York Ag Products, Inc. York, PA

Morgan Dietz Riverview Farm Port Trevorton, PA

EnviroKure Philadelphia, PA

Lyle Diller Chambersburg, PA

NEWLY CERTIFIED MEMBERS Joseph Antonishak Les Trois Petits Cochons Wilkes-Barre, PA

Daniel R. King Millersburg, PA

Melvin Bricker Chambersburg, PA Allen M. Brubaker Locust Meadow Farm Carlisle, PA

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Allen E. Glick Elizabethville, PA Christ L. King Mountain View Acres Rebersburg, PA

Ron Bennick Laurel Grove Farms Sunbury, PA

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Randall Fischer Fredericksburg, PA

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Kathy Lyons Blue Moon Acres Buckingham, PA Ryan Markel Farfield, PA Amos M. Martin Lux-Star Organic Feeds Turbotville, PA Elton Z. Martin Pann Yan, NY Robert Martin Beaver Springs, PA Allen Matthews Eden Hall Farm — Chatham University Gibsonia, PA Robert McCutcheon Frederick, MD

John L. Miller Bird-In-Hand, PA

Robert Sensenig Quarryville, PA

Matt J. Miller Fredericksburg, OH

Kenneth Smith New Oxford, PA

Earl Ray Nolt Dundee, NY Dennis Nolt Laurel Grove Farms Millerstown, PA Tyler Nowell Rocky Ridge, MD Brian F. Peterka Peterka Farm Clifford township, PA Kevin Phelps Bullock Farm Waterford, VT

Daniel Smucker Mount Tabor Farm New Holland, PA Marsha Snyder Laysville, PA Ryan Stahl Costas Foods, Inc. Pottsville, PA Denise Staub East Berlin, PA Gladys Stelfox York Springs, PA

Dan Raber Millerburg, OH

Henry K. Stoltzfus Rebersburg, PA

Dan Reiff BJE Farms Lewisburg, PA

Katherine Stoltzfus Penn Hills Farm Spring Mills, PA Leroy Troyer Maple Valley Farm Sugarcreek, OH

Jacob F. King Brush View Farm Addison, NY

Gary Mclntire Upper Strasburg, PA

Dennis Rice Custom Particle Reduction Plumsteadville, PA

Matthew King Rushsylvania, OH

Stephen Miller Manheim, PA

Harold Ray Sensenig Hershey, PA

Spring 2016

Scott Smith New Oxford, PA

Marlin Wadel Pete & Gerry’s Walcott, VT

www.paorganic.org

PCO Welcomes 1st Quarter New Members!

Ken Wadel Shippensburg, PA Brian Weaver Bri-Mar New Oxford, PA Ernest W. Wenger Richfield, PA Jeff Werner Werner Acres Jonestown, PA Ken White Dieffenbach’s Potato Chips Womelsdorf, PA Stone Roads Farms New Oxford, PA

SUSTAINING MEMBERS Levi M. Byler Mayville, NY Alan & Josh Carpenter Carpenter Farm Harpursville, NY Nathan Crissinger Crissinger Dairy Farm, LLC Gratz, PA Robert Eberly Stevens, PA

www.paorganic.org

David B. Fisher The Fisher Farm Kinzers, PA

John Steiner Weis Markets, Inc. Sunbury, PA

Justin Fox BJE Farms Mifflinburg, PA

Benuel S. Stoltzfus Ovid, NY

Carl Hornberger Wolfgang Operations, LLC. York, PA Brad Johnson Kalmbach Feeds of Pennsylvania Upper Sandusky, OH Amos L. Lee Spring Hollow Dewittville, NY

Robert Reighard Yorktown, VA

Eunha Guadagno The Big G Organic Farms Waymart, PA

Daniel L. Renno Port Royal, PA

Matthew Surawski Ledge Rock Dairy, LLC Richfield Springs, NY

Mark Heater Millerton, PA

Liza Rolland Tilling Point Farm Dallas, PA

Reuben E. Swarey Little Falls, NY

Ben Hertzler Turbotville, PA

Amos E. Stoltzfus Christiana, PA

Bob Vernon Fiedler Farm Aaronsburg, PA

David F. Hoover Penn Yan, NY

Melvin B. Troyer Reynoldsville, PA

Clarence Watt Red Horse, WV

Michelle Long Spring Center of Learning Denver, PA

Abie Yoder Abie Yoder Feed Reynoldsville, PA

James F. Sargent Sargent’s Dairy Millerton, PA

Mose M. Yoder Water Brook Farm Falconer, NY

Sean Stanton Blue Hill Farm Great Barrington, MA

David G. Fisher Loganton, PA

Samuel J. Stoltzfus Nottingham, PA

Howard Levine Evergreen Synergies King of Prussia, PA

Jesse Shadle Huntsinger Farms, Inc. Hegins, PA

James Rainville Black Lake Farm Heuvelton, NY

Abner Ebersol Earleville, MD

TRANSITIONING MEMBERS Enos K Beiler Lancaster, PA

Ron Moule Carversville Farm Foundation Carversville, PA Kirby Nissley Green Meadow Farmstead, LLC Manheim, PA Alvin J. Peachey Belleville, PA

Cleason Weaver Stanley, NY James W. Weaver Geneva, NY Ben Wissinger Sinking Spring, PA Philip Yutzy Conneautville, PA

Jacob H. Peachey Belleville, PA Miranda Powers Grazeland Jerseys Holland Patent, NY

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Calendar April

May

APRIL 7 PA Farm Link Succession & Transition Workshop Butler County 717-705-2121 pafarmlink.org

MAY 3, 10 & 17 Exploring the Small Farm Dream Allegheny County Extension.psu.edu 814-563-9388

APRIL 9 Whole System Sustainability Five Elements Farm Armstrong County Pasafarming.org 412-365-2985

PASA’s 2nd Annual Summer Soil Health Conference

Live Roots 24/7/365 Thursday, July 28–Friday, July 29 Grange Fairgrounds Centre Hall, PA An in-depth exploration of strategies to build perennial agroecosystems through cover crops, forages, and crop diversity.

For more info: pasafarming.org/sumcon, 814-349-9856

MAY 7 Organic Pastured Hogs Rodale Institute Berks County Rodaleinstitute.org 610-683-1481

APRIL 1 0 5th Annual Philly Farm & FoodFest Philadelphia County phillyfarmfest.org APRIL 1 9 PASA Webinar Kiva Zip: 0% Interest Loans for Farmers and Food Businesses Pasafarming.org 412-365-2985

Conference speaker Steve Groff, Cover Crop Solutions

Save the Date! — July 29 PCO Member Day Grange Fairgrounds Centre Hall, PA Paorganic.org, 814-422-0251 Join us for an educational day with PCO’s Annual Membership Meeting, inspiring speakers, small-group discussions, Outstanding Organic Awards and fun family activities.

PCO’s 5th Annual FarmFest July 29–30 Grange Fairgrounds Centre Hall, PA • Educational Workshops & Speakers • Organic Food Court & Pie Contest • Live Music, Dancing & Crafts Farmfest.paorganic.org farmfest@paorganic.org 814-422-0251

Box 361, 119 Hamilton Place Penn Yan, NY 14527 315-531-1038 Certified Organic Feed, Seed & Livestock Products from Northeast organic farmers for Northeast organic farmers ❖ www.lakevieworganicgrain.com

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Avian Influenza continued from page 5

What can we do now?

Be vigilant and be prepared: n Tighten up biosecurity to prevent expo-

sure. This includes having a site-specific biosecurity plan that works for your farm and following it. A National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) proposal for biosecurity plans is under development for larger flocks. A “Biosecurity Flock Checklist” is available at agriculture.pa. gov or by contacting 717-787-4737.

Other good information can be found in the USDA “Biosecurity for Birds” campaign at usda.gov or by contacting 301851-4100. General important points include:

• Avoid other flocks, live bird markets, waterfowl and their habitats.

• Use poultry area -designated shoes/ overshoes and clothing / coveralls (you and all other workers, necessary visitors).

• Restrict visitors.

• Handle and dispose of dead birds properly.

• Keep feed bins, containers closed to prevent access by free-flying birds.

• Use clean water sources that are not accessed by free-flying birds.

• Separate domestic waterfowl from chickens and other gallinaceous species.

• If birds are confined within a poultry house, shed, barn: Prevent access of wild birds, animals, and remove them if they gain access. n Monitor your flock for clinical signs.

HPAI infection is quick and deadly. Early detection allows for rapid response which is critical for containment. Most cases of HPAI are discovered because of sudden, unexpected mortality, so investigate unusual mortality as soon as possible. In addition to the high mortality rate, clinical signs can include one or more of the following: • Birds show reduced activity, become very quiet.

• Neurological signs (head tilt, twisted neck)

www.paorganic.org

• Swollen face, head; hemorrhages on legs • Sudden egg production drop, cessation; egg shell abnormalities • Respiratory symptoms (labored breathing) are not typical with 2015 H5NX, but can be present with other HPAI viruses, and often present with LPAI viruses.

Pathogenic Avian Influenza.” This includes comprehensive information on methods and supplies that you can compile for quick reference when you may need it. Particularly important is specifying primary and alternative methods for depopulation and carcass handling and disposal that we will work for the birds on your farm.

n Know whom to contact and what to do immediately if HPAI is suspected. Please

n Register for a premises ID with the PDA.

see the “Avian Influenza: Where to Get Help in Pennsylvania” publication at extension.psu.edu for important phone numbers and other contacts (or reference the box below for the main contacts). As a suspected problem is being checked out further, it is important to institute selfquarantine of your flock until the problem is checked out further. If samples are taken for HPAI, test results should be available the same day or next day, depending on the time of submission to the laboratory.

UNIVERSITY DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES

Penn State Animal Diagnostic Laboratory University Park, PA 814-863-0837 New Bolton Center Laboratory of Avian Medicine and Pathology University of Pennsylvania Kennett Square, PA 610-444-5800 ext. 6710 PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE VETERINARIANS

State Veterinarian (Harrisburg): 717-772-2852 Regional Veterinarians (7 offices) • Northwest (Meadville): 814-332-6890 • North Central (Montoursville): 570-433-2640 ext. 2 • Northeast (Tunkhannock): 570-836-2181 • Southwest (Greensburg) 724-832-1073 • Central (Martinsburg): 814-793-1849 ext.218 • South Central (Harrisburg): 717-836-3237 • Southeast (Collegeville): 610-489-1003 USDA HEALTHY BIRDS HOTLINE

866-536-7593

Go to extension. psu.edu or call the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Distribution Center at 877-345-0691 for the document and video “Creating a Farm Plan for Highly

n Prepare a flock plan.

If PDA knows where your flock is, this will expedite control area mapping of flock locations and help with notifications, routing and testing priorities in the face of an outbreak. n Become a PA Certified Poultry Techni-

cian (CPT). This training available through PDA will prepare you to take proper samples for AI and other diseases from your own birds and submit them to the laboratory. This is often more biosecure and expedient than relying on others to come to your farm for this purpose. n Enroll in a monitoring/testing program

if applicable. Many PA flocks participate in NPIP programs and/ or PA Monitored Flock programs for regular AI testing that is partially subsidized. Others do testing independently on a regular or as needed basis. Either way, regular testing can ensure rapid detection and can be a marketing advantage for your product.

What is the prediction for HPAI occurrence in PA in the near future?

The only predictable thing about AI is unpredictability. We do not know the likelihood of introductions of HPAIV this spring, within this year, within the next several years, or which virus it may be: the “imported” H5Nx such as visited states to our west, or a “home grown” variety such as the H7N8 such as recently cropped up in Indiana or as we have experienced before as live bird market strains. PA’s previous experiences with AI have helped inform our preparedness efforts as have the lessons learned in 2015, but total preemption of any and all forms of AI is not likely. You are the best protection your birds have, so arm yourselves with facts and preparation, and be part of the solution if HPAI strikes.

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Membership/Certification Order Form Contact Information Name

Address

City

Phone

Email

Use postal mail for:

Billing

Applications

Organic Matters

Certification

State

Use my email for:

Billing

ZIP

Applications

Organic Matters

Membership

Transitioning Farmer ......................................... $100

Advocate Member ............................................... $40

Receive the same benefits as Sustainer Membership plus: One free farm visit per year by a PCO staff member to answer questions and discuss certification and organic production, phone access to certification specialist to answer questions, access to farmer mentors, and receives quarterly transitions newsletter.

Receives Organic Matters newsletter, workshop notices, discounts on PCO materials, invitations to meetings, and one free 30-word classified in Organic Matters per issue.

New Applicant ................................................... $75* New applicants will receive the following: PCO Certification Manual, NOP Standards Manual, PCO Materials List, and OMRI Materials List. *$75 new applicant fee plus $695 basic certification fee due prior to processing Please send me applications for the following categories (free): PCO 100% Grassfed Certification

Crops/Produce Dairy/Livestock

PCO Forest Grown Verification

Poultry Mushrooms

Sustainer Member ............................................... $75 Same benefits as the Advocate Member, plus you may request a free copy of the PCO Certification Manual, NOP Standards Manual, PCO Materials List, OMRI Materials List, and Record Keeping Systems. In addition, you may vote on PCO standards and policies. If you decide to apply for certification during your membership year, the $75 New Applicant Fee is waived.

Business Member ............................................... $150 Receives the same benefits as a Sustainer Member, plus a 10% discount on ads in Organic Matters.

Checks: Payable to PCO Pay Online: www.paorganic.org /orderform Pay via Phone: (814)-422-0251

Gluten Free

Maple Products

Kosher

Card No.

On-Farm Processing/ Handling

Other

CVV Code

Processor/Handler

.....................................

Exp. Date

Billing ZIP Code

Cardholder Name

Broker/Handler Signature

2017 PCO Calendar Photo Contest!

PCO would like to showcase your organic farm, and photography skills, in our 2017 calendar.

We are looking for pictures of your family and farm workers on your organic farm or handling operation, at work or at rest, throughout the seasons. We’ll display all submitted photos at FarmFest for in person voting and prizes. We will accept highresolution photos via submission on our website, by email, or on a CD. Please submit your entries for the photo contest by July 15 to: Pennsylvania Certified Organic 2017 Calendar Coordinator 106 School Street, Suite 201 • Spring Mills, PA 16875 calendar@paorganic.org • www.paorganic.org

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2016 Calendar

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Non-Profit Org US POSTAGE PAID CENTRE HALL, PA PERMIT NO. 33

106 School Street, Suite 201 Spring Mills, PA 16875