Organic System Plan Template

• Farm Name or Field Identification

• Parcel Location
  Address
• City / Town, State & County
  Address

• Producer

• Date submitted

  Date

Land Requirements

• Area (specify units) to be certified organic

• Do you have a map to identify the distinct location, size, boundaries and buffers of this parcel?

  Yes

  No

• Attach the map.

  Media

• Describe the distinct, defined boundaries of this land; and the size and features of buffer zones.

• Describe production practices and/or management history of this land for 3 years before the anticipated harvest of an organic crop.

• List the last application date(s), location(s) and type of prohibited material(s) used (e.g., synthetic fertilizer, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, treated seed, sewage sludge or biosolids)

Prohibited Material

• Type of Prohibited Material Used

  Select Synthetic Fertilizer Pesticides Fungicides Herbicides Treated Seed Sewage Sludge Biosolids Other

  • Synthetic Fertilizer
  • Pesticides
  • Fungicides
  • Herbicides
  • Treated Seed
  • Sewage Sludge
  • Biosolids
  • Other

• Specify.

• Last Application Date

  Date
• Location
  Address

• Attach documentation of land management history (materials used and their application dates).

  Media

• Does your recordkeeping system demonstrate compliant practices related to the separation of any crops grown in buffer zones from organic sales?

  Yes

  No

• Briefly describe your practices.

Description of Operation, Soil, Crop Nutrient Management, and Crop Rotation

• Organic Production to be Certified

  Select Food (vegetables, berries, tree or vine fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, herbs, mushrooms, etc.) Feed (pasture, hay, silage, forage beets, etc.) Fiber (cotton, flax, etc.) Seed or planting stock (seed, annual seedlings, planting stock—annual or perennial) Other

  • Food (vegetables, berries, tree or vine fruits, nuts, grains, legumes, herbs, mushrooms, etc.)
  • Feed (pasture, hay, silage, forage beets, etc.)
  • Fiber (cotton, flax, etc.)
  • Seed or planting stock (seed, annual seedlings, planting stock—annual or perennial)
  • Other

• Describe.

• Production Sites and Methods

  Select Field grown Hoophouse (soil or planting medium) Greenhouse Harvest of Wild Crops Other

  • Field grown
  • Hoophouse (soil or planting medium)
  • Greenhouse
  • Harvest of Wild Crops
  • Other

• Describe.

• Marketing and Sales Methods

  Select Direct (CSA, Farmer’s Market, produce stand, U-pick) Wholesale Contract Export Other

  • Direct (CSA, Farmer’s Market, produce stand, U-pick)
  • Wholesale
  • Contract
  • Export
  • Other

• Describe.

• Attach any other management plans and certifications you have attained or are pursuing (e.g., food safety, fair trade, conservation programs, organic livestock or handling).

  Media

• Describe specifically how your soil improvement, crop nutrient management and crop rotation practices meet organic goals.

• Methods used to verify the effectiveness of your soil/crop nutrient management and crop rotation plans

Monitoring Method

• Method

  Select Soil or Crop Observation Analysis of Soil Characteristics Nutrient and Organic Matter Content Plant Tissue or Microbiological Tests Crop Yield or Crop Quality Comparison

  • Soil or Crop Observation
  • Analysis of Soil Characteristics
  • Nutrient and Organic Matter Content
  • Plant Tissue or Microbiological Tests
  • Crop Yield or Crop Quality Comparison

• Frequency or Timing

  Before Fertilizer Application

  Weekly

  Yearly

  As Needed

• Does your recordkeeping system demonstrate implementation and monitoring of compliant soil and crop nutrient management, and crop rotation practices?

  Yes

  No

• Supporting Evidence

  Select Monitoring Methods Results Test Results or Documentation of Characteristic Deficiency Symptoms (if micronutrients are applied) Planting Records and/or Field Maps Input Purchase Receipts, Invoices, Delivery Tags, or Custom Application of Fertility / Soil Amendments Input Application Records Other

  • Monitoring Methods Results
  • Test Results or Documentation of Characteristic Deficiency Symptoms (if micronutrients are applied)
  • Planting Records and/or Field Maps
  • Input Purchase Receipts, Invoices, Delivery Tags, or Custom Application of Fertility / Soil Amendments
  • Input Application Records
  • Other

• Describe.

• Do you use compost or manure?

  Yes

  No

• Describe your compost and/or manure use and management.

• Indicate how your recordkeeping system demonstrates compliant practices related to production, management and use of manure and compost.

• Compost containing manure or animal products is:

  Purchased

  Produced on farm

• Attach your compost supplier's copy of the time, temperature and turning schedule and Certificate of Analysis (COA) for microbial activity

  Media

• Attach sample records of production including methods (in-vessel/static pile with aeration vs. windrow); ingredients or feedstock; temperature and turnings; curing or finishing

  Media

• Type of Manure

  Raw

  Processed

• Raw manure is:

  Select Applied to land producing a crop not intended for human consumption (pasture, hay, cover crops, etc.) Incorporated at least 120/90 days before harvest of a crop Intended for human consumption whose edible portion does/does not directly contact the soil surface or soil particles

  • Applied to land producing a crop not intended for human consumption (pasture, hay, cover crops, etc.)
  • Incorporated at least 120/90 days before harvest of a crop Intended for human consumption whose edible portion does/does not directly contact the soil surface or soil particles

• Processed manure is:

  Select Purchased, with documentation or verifies allowed status Documented to meet NOP requirements (heating at 150°F for one hour or 165°F with <12% moisture content)

  • Purchased, with documentation or verifies allowed status
  • Documented to meet NOP requirements (heating at 150°F for one hour or 165°F with <12% moisture content)

Natural Resources of Operation and Biodiversity Conservation Management

Soil

• Describe soil (e.g., type or classification, slope, texture, structure, organic matter content, and/or other characteristics relevant to soil conservation and improvement)

• Indicate the practices you use to maintain or improve soil

  Select Build soil organic matter content Rotate crops; plant cover crops or green manures Apply compost Create physical and/or biological features Maintain filter strips or grassed waterways, hedgerows or windbreaks Maximize soil cover; reduce time & land area when soil is exposed Time tillage operations for appropriate soil moisture Carry out farm operations under appropriate weather conditions Use nutrient budgets that consider crop needs Manage nutrient applications (material, application method, rate and timing) Other strategies and practices

  • Build soil organic matter content
  • Rotate crops; plant cover crops or green manures
  • Apply compost
  • Create physical and/or biological features
  • Maintain filter strips or grassed waterways, hedgerows or windbreaks
  • Maximize soil cover; reduce time & land area when soil is exposed
  • Time tillage operations for appropriate soil moisture
  • Carry out farm operations under appropriate weather conditions
  • Use nutrient budgets that consider crop needs
  • Manage nutrient applications (material, application method, rate and timing)
  • Other strategies and practices

• Describe.

Water

• Describe water (e.g., groundwater, surface water, irrigation and wash water sources; comments or concerns regarding supply or water quality):

• Indicate the practices you use to maintain or improve water conservation and quality

  Select Plant crops and varieties appropriate to the climate and region (consider water demands) Manage cropland, field & farm borders, wetlands to increase water infiltration and reduce runoff Maintain or improve watershed and wildlife habitat (woodlands, wetlands and riparian areas) Time & calculate fertilizer applications to meet crop needs; prevent nutrient loss or contamination Utilize wetlands to manage wastewater and improve water quality Other strategies and practices

  • Plant crops and varieties appropriate to the climate and region (consider water demands)
  • Manage cropland, field & farm borders, wetlands to increase water infiltration and reduce runoff
  • Maintain or improve watershed and wildlife habitat (woodlands, wetlands and riparian areas)
  • Time & calculate fertilizer applications to meet crop needs; prevent nutrient loss or contamination
  • Utilize wetlands to manage wastewater and improve water quality
  • Other strategies and practices

• Describe.

• Is irrigation water used?

  Yes

  No

• Indicate the practices you use to maintain or improve water conservation and quality

  Select Avoid overdrafting water sources; balance use with rates of replenishment; facilitate recharge Match irrigation quantity and timing to crop requirements Manage irrigation applications to prevent nutrient leaching beyond the crop root zone Maintain or improve irrigation efficiency Monitor water systems regularly and repair leaks promptly Use technologies and techniques to increase efficiency of energy use for pumping (explain) Other strategies and practices

  • Avoid overdrafting water sources; balance use with rates of replenishment; facilitate recharge
  • Match irrigation quantity and timing to crop requirements
  • Manage irrigation applications to prevent nutrient leaching beyond the crop root zone
  • Maintain or improve irrigation efficiency
  • Monitor water systems regularly and repair leaks promptly
  • Use technologies and techniques to increase efficiency of energy use for pumping (explain)
  • Other strategies and practices

• Describe.

Woodlands & Wetlands

• Describe woodlands (e.g., forest, grassland, scrub or chaparral; species mixtures and proportion of area; production benefits such as windbreak, watershed, or habitat functions).

• Describe wetlands (watershed, riparian areas, water bodies or storage features that double as habitat).

• Indicate the practices you use to maintain or improve woodlands and wetlands (and other habitat types, as applicable)

  Select Establish or improve vegetative cover to cycle nutrients; filter or degrade pesticides and pathogens Conserve/restore/create/improve habitat for native species, including predators of crop pests Manage for biodiversity and habitat in non-crop areas, including field borders, windbreaks, fence lines, roadsides, equipment yards, outbuildings, post-harvest handling areas, and processing facilities Other

  • Establish or improve vegetative cover to cycle nutrients; filter or degrade pesticides and pathogens
  • Conserve/restore/create/improve habitat for native species, including predators of crop pests
  • Manage for biodiversity and habitat in non-crop areas, including field borders, windbreaks, fence lines, roadsides, equipment yards, outbuildings, post-harvest handling areas, and processing facilities
  • Other

• Describe.

Wildlife & Biodiversity

• Describe wildlife / biodiversity (common, threatened, endangered or invasive species; implications for predator-prey relationships, practical management strategies, challenges or benefits)

• Indicate the practices you use to maintain or improve wildlife, ecological balance and biodiversity (including Control of Invasive Species)

  Select Plant a diversity of crops or genetic strains of the same crop Plant or manage for diversity in cover crops, green manures or pastures Plant or manage for diversity of species and types of non-crop plants on the farm Maintain or improve habitat for wildlife, beneficial organisms and natural enemies of pests Minimize use of pesticides, especially broad-spectrum materials that impact non-target species Select pest management materials that are less toxic; more pest-specific and/or biodegradable Use exclusion, repellant, and other non-lethal pest and predator management whenever practical Encourage natural wild predation-prey relationships Design fencing (materials and placement) Prevent pest or invasive species introductions by using weed-, pest- and disease-free seed, planting stock, soil amendments and mulch materials Learn to identify non-native invasive plant and animal species Monitor for new invasive species Develop a management plan to remove, control, and reduce the spread of invasive species Recognize rare, threatened, endangered species and their habitat; develop protection plans Other strategies and practices

  • Plant a diversity of crops or genetic strains of the same crop
  • Plant or manage for diversity in cover crops, green manures or pastures
  • Plant or manage for diversity of species and types of non-crop plants on the farm
  • Maintain or improve habitat for wildlife, beneficial organisms and natural enemies of pests
  • Minimize use of pesticides, especially broad-spectrum materials that impact non-target species
  • Select pest management materials that are less toxic; more pest-specific and/or biodegradable
  • Use exclusion, repellant, and other non-lethal pest and predator management whenever practical
  • Encourage natural wild predation-prey relationships
  • Design fencing (materials and placement)
  • Prevent pest or invasive species introductions by using weed-, pest- and disease-free seed, planting stock, soil amendments and mulch materials
  • Learn to identify non-native invasive plant and animal species
  • Monitor for new invasive species
  • Develop a management plan to remove, control, and reduce the spread of invasive species
  • Recognize rare, threatened, endangered species and their habitat; develop protection plans
  • Other strategies and practices

• Describe.

• Describe how your monitoring methods verify and recordkeeping systems demonstrate that your natural resource practices and biodiversity conservation management plans are effectively implemented.

• Methods used to verify and recordkeeping systems demonstrate that your natural resource practices and biodiversity conservation management plans are effectively implemented.

Monitoring Method

• Method

• Frequency

• Tracking

Seedlings, Seed & Planting Stock

• Indicate the types of seedlings, planting stock, seeds, seed treatments & inoculants you use

  Select Certified organic annual seedlings (purchased) Certified organic annual seedlings (produced on farm) Certified organic seed (purchased) Certified organic annual or perennial planting stock (purchased) Certified organic seeds or planting stock (produced on farm) Untreated seed (annual or perennial planting stock that is not organically grown and not treated with prohibited materials) Seed treatments or coatings Inoculants with non-GMO status Other

  • Certified organic annual seedlings (purchased)
  • Certified organic annual seedlings (produced on farm)
  • Certified organic seed (purchased)
  • Certified organic annual or perennial planting stock (purchased)
  • Certified organic seeds or planting stock (produced on farm)
  • Untreated seed (annual or perennial planting stock that is not organically grown and not treated with prohibited materials)
  • Seed treatments or coatings
  • Inoculants with non-GMO status
  • Other

• Describe.

• Additional steps and/or strategies to source the highest possible proportion of your seed and planting stock as certified organic

  Select Identify additional suppliers of organic seed Use organic seed search resources Conduct variety or quality trials Pursue advance ordering or contract production Other

  • Identify additional suppliers of organic seed
  • Use organic seed search resources
  • Conduct variety or quality trials
  • Pursue advance ordering or contract production
  • Other

• Describe.

Pest, Disease & Weed Management

• Recurrent or potential pest, disease, and weed problems

  Select Arthropods Vertebrates Other pests Diseases Weeds

  • Arthropods
  • Vertebrates
  • Other pests
  • Diseases
  • Weeds

• Weed Management Plan Preventative Practices

  Select Monitoring Crop rotation Nutrient management Cover/smother/green manure crops Fallow Tillage No till / reduced tillage / minimizing soil disturbance Inter/overseeding Early seeding Delayed planting Fast-emerging varieties Pre-irrigation / planting into moisture Preventing weed seed set Mowing Livestock grazing Mechanical cultivation Hand weeding Flame or heat Biodegradable mulch Allowed herbicides Water management Cleaning equipment between fields Field / orchard sanitation Other

  • Monitoring
  • Crop rotation
  • Nutrient management
  • Cover/smother/green manure crops
  • Fallow
  • Tillage
  • No till / reduced tillage / minimizing soil disturbance
  • Inter/overseeding
  • Early seeding
  • Delayed planting
  • Fast-emerging varieties
  • Pre-irrigation / planting into moisture
  • Preventing weed seed set
  • Mowing
  • Livestock grazing
  • Mechanical cultivation
  • Hand weeding
  • Flame or heat
  • Biodegradable mulch
  • Allowed herbicides
  • Water management
  • Cleaning equipment between fields
  • Field / orchard sanitation
  • Other

• Describe.

• Crop Pest Management Plan Preventative Practices

  Select Learning pest life cycles Determining economic damage / action threshold Degree days IPM / ecological management Crop rotation Resistant species/varieties Timing of planting Crop diversification Trap crops Lures Traps Repellents Augmentation or introduction of predators or parasites of the pest species (biological control) Development of habitat for natural enemies of pests (e.g. insectary plants in field or borders) Weed host management Water management Shooting Other

  • Learning pest life cycles
  • Determining economic damage / action threshold
  • Degree days
  • IPM / ecological management
  • Crop rotation
  • Resistant species/varieties
  • Timing of planting
  • Crop diversification
  • Trap crops
  • Lures
  • Traps
  • Repellents
  • Augmentation or introduction of predators or parasites of the pest species (biological control)
  • Development of habitat for natural enemies of pests (e.g. insectary plants in field or borders)
  • Weed host management
  • Water management
  • Shooting
  • Other

• Describe.

• Crop Disease Management Plan Preventative Practices

  Select Crop rotation Resistant species/varieties Sanitizing tools and equipment Water / drainage / irrigation management Burning Material inputs (non-synthetic biological, botanical, or mineral) Other

  • Crop rotation
  • Resistant species/varieties
  • Sanitizing tools and equipment
  • Water / drainage / irrigation management
  • Burning
  • Material inputs (non-synthetic biological, botanical, or mineral)
  • Other

• Describe.

• Indicate disease to be controlled by burning

• Specify diseases and circumstances for use of material inputs (allowed only if other methods are insufficient)

• Describe how your monitoring methods verify and recordkeeping systems demonstrate compliant practices related to pest monitoring, prevention, and materials-based pest management

Materials List (Input Substances)

Material

• Product Name and Formulation, or Generic Material Type

• Manufacturer or Raw Material Supplier

• Intended Use or Purpose of Material

  Select Fertilizer Mineral Micronutrient Compost Manure Seeds and Planting Stock Inoculant Coating Seed Treatment Pest Management Disease Management Weed Management Spreader Sticker Adjuvant Crop Production Aid Post-harvest Handling (Cleaner / Sanitizer)

  • Fertilizer
  • Mineral
  • Micronutrient
  • Compost
  • Manure
  • Seeds and Planting Stock
  • Inoculant
  • Coating
  • Seed Treatment
  • Pest Management
  • Disease Management
  • Weed Management
  • Spreader
  • Sticker
  • Adjuvant
  • Crop Production Aid
  • Post-harvest Handling (Cleaner / Sanitizer)

• Restriction or Annotation / Preventative Practices Used

• Third-Party Verification

• Describe how your recordkeeping system demonstrates compliant practices related to sourcing and use of materials.

  Select Materials Purchase Records that clearly identify product source including brand name, formulation and manufacturer, as applicable. Input application records that include material source or product brand name and manufacturer), date, crop, application method, rate, purpose, and location of use. Other recordkeeping related to material inputs

  • Materials Purchase Records that clearly identify product source including brand name, formulation and manufacturer, as applicable.
  • Input application records that include material source or product brand name and manufacturer), date, crop, application method, rate, purpose, and location of use.
  • Other recordkeeping related to material inputs

• Describe.

Audit Trail, Traceability & Production Verification

• Attach a sample sequence of documents that make up your audit trail.

  Media

• Describe how each part of your recordkeeping system links to the next component to create a continuous audit trail to track your organic product.

• Certified producers are required to keep all records for 5 years from their creation.

• Attach all quantifiable recordkeeping related to each crop produced, land area, the timeframe of harvest and sales, and records of inventory in storage, if any.

  Media

Labeling and Representation of Organic Product

Product

• Name / Label / Brand

• Specify:

  Owned by me

  Packing into a private label

• Attach a full-color sample of each retail or non-retail label you use.

  Media

• Attach any other written, printed, audiovisual, or graphic market information you use that identifies the product as certified organic (e.g. printed twist ties or rubber bands, signage used at farmers markets or farm stands, CSA newsletter, website, advertising, brochures, pamphlets or flyers, catalogs, or poster).

  Media

Contamination & Commingling Risk Assessment & Prevention Plan

Prohibited Materials & Heavy Metals Risk

• Identify potential risk

  Select Ash from manure burning Lead salts Potassium chloride Rotenone Sodium fluoaluminate (mined) Sodium nitrate Strychnine Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate)

  • Ash from manure burning
  • Lead salts
  • Potassium chloride
  • Rotenone
  • Sodium fluoaluminate (mined)
  • Sodium nitrate
  • Strychnine
  • Tobacco dust (nicotine sulfate)

• Describe your prevention plan to reduce risk

Prohibited Materials & Heavy Metals Risk Control

• Monitoring Method

• Frequency

Pathogens Risk

• Identify area of potential risk

  Select Worker health and hygiene Site and dust management Water for irrigation Facility cleaning Product wash water Cooling and ice Soil amendments Pest management Pre-harvest assessment Animal intrusion Food contact surfaces Containers Utensils Harvest Packing Transportation (field and final product)

  • Worker health and hygiene
  • Site and dust management
  • Water for irrigation
  • Facility cleaning
  • Product wash water
  • Cooling and ice
  • Soil amendments
  • Pest management
  • Pre-harvest assessment
  • Animal intrusion
  • Food contact surfaces
  • Containers
  • Utensils
  • Harvest
  • Packing
  • Transportation (field and final product)

• Describe your prevention plan to reduce risk

Pathogens Risk Control

• Monitoring Method

• Frequency

• Do you use facilities for post-harvest handling, storage, packing, or processing the organic product?

  Yes

  No

• List all facilities.

• Attach a current organic certificate or storage affidavit, as applicable.

  Media

Affirmations

• Do you affirm that this OSP accurately describes all aspects of your current organic operation?

  Yes

  No

• Will you follow this plan and maintain all appropriate records and documentation?

  Yes

  No

• Will you permit on-site inspections by the certifying agent and its designated representatives, with complete access to the production and/or handling operation, including non-certified production and handling areas, structures and offices?

  Yes

  No

• Do you understand that your operation may be subject to announced and/or unannounced inspections and/or sampling at any time as deemed appropriate to ensure compliance with NOP Regulations?

  Yes

  No

• Do you agree to maintain all records applicable to your organic operation for not less than 5 years beyond their creation and to allow authorized representatives of the Secretary, applicable State organic program's governing State official, and certifying agent access to such records during normal business hours for review and copying to determine compliance?

  Yes

  No

• I affirm that all information in this OSP is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

• Authorized Representative Name & Signature

  Sign