[compost_tea] Re: USNOP, OMRI, More Manure

From: Kirk Leonard (kirk@oregonatural.com)
Date: Tue Jan 21 2003 - 16:54:28 EST


> From: laura_s@vaxxine.com
> Subject: OMRI vs. NOP etc
>
> OMRI has realized that they cannot keep up their good work without .....
money $$$ !!. <
Which is as it should be... and we have historically volunteered that by
setting up private certifiers in our own interests.

> So now you must subscribe to read the generic list. As a Canadian I am not
sure how the US process works but I hope they are listening to sources
like OMRI. <
I believe anyone can purchase the list or subscribe at www.omri.org. My
understanding is they are the keeper of USNOP lists, and it was largely by
their efforts that compost tea was saved last October, but I don't know
enough of the history to be certain where their generic list stands, or how
it's included in the Rule. Some NOSB meeting or conference call in the past
must have made it happen. It would be nice to hear from someone who knew
more.

I am still reeling from the whack I got from Oregon Tilth last year for
making vermicast from manure... working on a dairy farm that can't possibly
be certified even though it's a well-managed, zero emission (save a big
flood...), maker of large quantities of very good compost and vermicompost,
per past SFI and other lab tests, but the cows are pastured elsewhere. As
far as I know, any vermicompost or compost made on this farm, no matter how
well, still is regarded as "raw manure" under the NOP, a class that I
believe would also apply to any certifiably organic dairy or other animal
operation today, but I don't know.

The Compost Task Force report, both versions, solves my vermicompost problem
but not the manure question, which affects a whole lot more people than me.

As far as I can tell only "processed manure materials" can be certified USDA
organic (that's manure cooked at 150 degrees F for an hour, dried to 12%).
All other manure products are "raw" and subject to the 90-120-day raw manure
rules. I hate taking you to this little corner but it's not so little.
Does anybody besides me see what a boon this is to Mickey D's factory feed
lots, while throwing all the rest of us into confusion...? Like GE foods, I
think it's more of the "command the market before they figure out what's
happening" strategy. I really would like to be clearer sooner about manure
composts. Can someone clarify this?

Thanks, Laura, too. I was actually trying to make it easier for folks to
trust what to use without a bunch of effort, so sorry for the diversion and
I hope this manure thing can be resolved soon.

-- Kirk









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