Section 375 IAC 1-3-2 - Management practicesAuthority: IC 15-15-8-17
Affected: IC 15-15-8
Sec. 2. The following management practices are required to receive organic certification:
(1) Development and implementation of a conscientious soil building program designed to enhance organic matter and encourage optimum soil health.(2) Rotation of nonperennial crops in accordance with accepted regional organic practices. Rotations must be as varied as possible and aim to:(A) maintain or improve soil fertility;(B) reduce nitrate leaching; and(C) reduce weed, pest, and disease problems.(3) Use of careful management, resistant varieties, intercropping, and maintenance of soil health as the first line of primary defense against weeds, pests, and diseases.(4) Generation of an audit trail that will permit tracing the sources and amounts of all off-farm inputs, date and place of harvest, and all steps between harvest and sale to the wholesaler, retailer, or final consumer. Certifying agents shall recommend denial of certification if an inadequate audit trail exists.(5) Maintenance of machinery and equipment in condition sufficient to avoid contamination of soil or crops with hydraulic fluid, fuel, oil, and similar contaminants.(6) Use of preharvest and postharvest handling procedures and packaging materials that ensure maximum product quality (appearance, hygiene, freshness, and nutrition) using techniques and materials that are consistent with the Indiana organic standards. Irradiation is prohibited.(7) Soil and/or residue testing will not be mandatory for inspection and/or certification purposes.(8) Maintain records of all organic operations separate from records relating to other operations and make such records available at all times for inspection by the panel, the commissioner, the certifying agent, and its inspectors.Indiana State Department of Agriculture; 375 IAC 1-3-2; filed Jun 15, 2001, 11:46 a.m.: 24 IR 3634; readopted filed Nov 26, 2007, 2:49 p.m.: 20071226-IR-375070721RFA