The "Final Rule" governing organic farming has been published by the United States Department of Agriculture and is now available on the web. http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/ It is so detailed that even composting is now a highly regulated activity:
"Compost. The product of a managed process through which microorganisms break down plant and animal materials into more available forms suitable for application to the soil. Compost must be produced through a process that combines plant and animal materials with an initial C:N ratio of between 25:1 and 40:1. Producers using an in-vessel or static aerated pile system must maintain the composting materials at a temperature between 131F and 170F for 3 days. Producers using a windrow system must maintain the composting materials at a temperature between 131 F and 170 F for 15 days, during which time, the materials must be turned a minimum of five times."
In their commentary, the USDA states: "The requirements for the carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio for composting materials is the same as that found in the NRCS practice standard for a composting facility." This seems insane to me. I know of no organic farm that produces compost on the level of a commercial composting facility. It would make sense to impose such a requirement for composting a large volume of material. But these requirements are imposed upon all organic farms, even on those that gross less than $5,000 per year.
It does not look like my old cold composting, low work method will be allowed under the new scheme! Simple composting, at least for the certified organic farmer, is a thing of the past. Indeed, I have read this new composting requirement several times, and I am still not sure how exactly I would have to implement it, but it would seem that laboratory testing of materials would be required, and that would be a ridiculous added expense. Perhaps I will figure out a simpler way to implement this portion of the rule in time.
