New & Updated Publications

The National Organic Program Rule, §205.203, Soil Fertility and Crop Nutrient Management Practice Standard, does not define specific land practices that producers must use. But it does identify general soil management and environmental protection objectives. From these objectives, producers and the organic certifiers they work with must determine whether specific farming practices meet the NOP criteria. This publication released in July 2005 provides management guidelines for meeting, and measurable parameters for monitoring, these objectives. It also discusses why these objectives are essential for maintaining sustainable, organic production systems.