Pesticide Free and Organic?

18 years ago

Hello all!

I like to fight aphids with a dilute solution of ivory soap and neem oil on all of my plants when infestation warrants. However, I have contemplated selling some of my product locally through neighbors and maybe at a farmers market. I have seen postings on "organic" and "natural" methods that involve this type of pest management, but isn't it still a "pesticide" no matter how safe the ingredients would be for us?

The FDA says that "The term "pesticide" means (1) any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest, (2) any substance or mixture of substances intended for use as a plant regulator, defoliant, or desiccant, and(3) any nitrogen stabilizer, except that the term "pesticide" shall

not include any article that is a "new animal drug" within the meaning of section 321(w) (!1) of title 21. The term "pesticide" does not include liquid chemical sterilant products (including any sterilant or subordinate disinfectant claims on such products) for use on a critical or semi-critical device, as defined in section 321 of title 21."

I wanted to make a label for my product if it ends up at a farmer's market, but I don't want to call it "organic" or "pesticide free" if I am using them. How do you interpret this, guys?

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Comments (6)

Kimmsr
18 years ago
Per the FDA guidelines plain water would be a "pesticide" and just a plain water spray will knock aphids off a plant as well as a soapy water spray. As long as you let the consumer know what you used, ie a soapy water spray, you would not be deceiving them about anything.
jean001
18 years ago
I suggest you call your county's Agricultural Commission and ask to speak to someone in the Pesticide Division.

The reason -- to verify whether or not your product is legal.
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You know, Carol, there's something to be said for being as self-sufficient as one can be, given their situation. When I think along these lines, I always remember back to when I was a young Navy wife living in Oakland CA while DH was out to sea. I made friends with the others in the apartment building, who were young and poor as DH and I were. One day, as we sat around in Marjie's apartment drinking coffee, someone mentioned how hungry they were for pizza but even pooling what money we had, we did not have enough to order. So I said, "This will buy the ingredients and we can MAKE pizza!" They were all dumbfounded. It had never occurred to them pizza could be MADE. I, too, love to use whole grains but I have not begun to grind them myself. Maybe someday. I'm sure freshly ground grain tastes better. I find that a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice added to a 2-loaf whole wheat bread recipe makes for a better rise. My favorite is oatmeal bread, but I was born a country girl from German ancestors and we have to have our bread, so I enjoy almost all varieties. I have no idea how much I spend a week for groceries because I stock up the freezer when certain things go on sale and I haven't been keeping track of it. I haven't bought a lot of groceries since March (that's when I retired and took back my kitchen from DH) as I discovered DH was forgetting what he had in the freezer and buying more. LOL! The freezer was so full I didn't have room for garden stuff, or to store extra baked goods. So we've been eating out of the freezer all summer. I do think $50 a week is low, but I don't know anything about Grainlady's family. I think she uses a lot of things that are unusual (to me) that are supposed to be more healthy, such as coconut oil instead of shortening, but I've priced most of them and they are terribly expensive. The Chia seed is not cheap, but a little goes a long way. I just don't think it's possible to feed teenage boys on $50 a week unless they're eating tons of Ramen noodles, beans and mac and cheese, and maybe not even then. LOL I do wish I had more storage space and more garden space. But, the grandson has announced he's moving back in with his mom as soon as he graduates high school, and that's this spring, so I will have less need to grow in large quantities and therefore less need for storage space. Plus I will have an empty room when he moves out of his bedroom. Two, in fact, because he has taken over the den, as well, for his video games. Maybe some new shelves will be in order, when the time comes. --Ilene
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windfarm
18 years ago
You need to check out the USDA s National Organic Program (NOP). This is the federal agency that regulates organic agriculture in this country. If any food product is going to be sold as "organic" it must meet the standards of the NOP. Likewise, the producer of the organic food must be certified as organic by a USDA approved certifying agency. The application process to obtain certification takes quite a bit of work. I am currently working on my application, I should know. It is also not cheap. Expect to pay a bit of money to become certified-probably 500-1000 bucks.
The good news for you though, there is an exemption within the NOP which allows growers to circumvent the certification process if they make less than $5000 annually from their product(s). However, you still must contact the USDA and tell them of your intentions to receive the exemption. You still must be in compliance with all NOP regulations and are subject to inspection. If you are going to represent your product as "organic" you must meet the standards of the NOP, or you face a $10,000 dollar fine for misrepresentation.
To answer your question about what ammendments/pesticides/herbicides/fungicides/etc. are allowed, you should become familiar with the NOP. It lists in broad terms what is allowed and what is not for products under organic production. If you are looking at commercially available ammendments or controls, you should look for products that are "OMRI listed" (Organic Materials Research Institute, Eugene, Oregon) or products "that meet NOP standards". Check out Peaceful Valley Farm and Garden supply at www.groworganic.com and familiarize yourself with products that are OMRI listed or approved for NOP. Neem oil seems to be o.k. for NOP. I don't think that Ivory soap would meet the standards though.

A little bit overwhelming, huh..?
windfarm
18 years ago
Just to make myself clear,

If you label your product as "organic" you must meet all federal criteria regardless of where you sell it...farmers market, restaurant, grocer. The word organic, when describing food, is federally regulated.
If you do not wish to go through all the hoops, you can label your product as "synthetic pesticide free" or something. However, you cannot label it as organic unless you abide by the NOP.
As an aside, companies can sell product, such as a potting soil, as "organic" even though the ingredients may not necessarily meet the NOP. Potting soil is not a food item, so it is not governed by the NOP and not subject to organic certification.
robbins
18 years ago
Hey Windfarm - I'm not sure who you are certifying with, but potting soil too must meet the organic standards or be OMRI approved. Several companies have OMRI approved soil. The problem with most potting soils is that they include wetting agents, many of which are not ok by NOP rules. Check with your certifing agent.
Some companies are using the term organic to mean organic matter - like the Miracle Grow ad that is making people think it is an organic (like organically approved) product.
Robbins
gardenjo26
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you all for your responses! You have really helped direct me toward more information!

Pesticide Free and Organic?

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Kimmsr

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Pesticide Free and Organic?

Comments (6)

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