2, 2005:Since the National Organic Program (NOP)
was implemented in October 2002, organic farmers have been
required to use certified organic seeds when planting organic
crops and cover crops. This was big news to many organic farmers,
since previously they were only required to attempt to use
There are four types of seeds for organic farmers to be aware
- Certified organic seeds:
Labeled as “certified organic” or “organic”
these seeds are grown in accordance with the NOP. The certifying
agent should be listed on the label.
- Untreated seeds:
These seeds are grown conventionally, but have not
been treated with any prohibited substances.
- Treated seeds: These
seeds are grown conventionally and are treated with prohibited
substances, such as Captan or Apron or other fungicides
or insecticides used on many seeds that are planted in cold
soil. The EPA classifies Captan as a probable human carcinogen.
Treated seeds must not be used by organic farmers!
- GMO seeds:
These include crops that have been genetically engineered
to include genes from viruses, bacteria, plants, and animals
to make them herbicide tolerant or to contain toxins that
kill pests. GMO seeds are prohibited for organic production!
Technically (see §NOP 205.204), organic farmers must
use organically grown seeds, annual seedlings and planting
stock. In the event that a seed variety is not commercially
available organically, an organic farmer may use untreated
seeds. If untreated seeds are not commercially available,
an organic farmer may use seeds and planting stock treated
with a substance included on the National List §205.601.
Currently, there are no synthetic seed treatments on the National
Just to make things a bit more confusing, some natural seed
treatments are allowed. Examples of allowed natural seed treatments
are bacterial (non-GMO) inoculants for legumes and clay pelleting
for small seeds such as carrots. The Organic Materials Review
Institute (OMRI) Brand Names List (January 2005 issue, page
13) lists 6 allowed seed treatments by brand name.
So where can you find certified organic seeds? A number of
seed companies have moved into this niche market. Many certifying
agents provide a list of organic seed companies upon request.
There is also a wealth of seed information on the web. Many
organizations including certifiers have posted their lists
on their websites. For example, the Midwest Organic Services
Association, a Wisconsin based certifier, lists 45 seed suppliers,
offering corn, soybean, alfalfas, clover and a variety of
vegetables. ATTRA also provides a list of organic seed suppliers
on their website, www.attra.ncat.org.
To go directly to the seed list, click http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/altseed.html.
You can also find lists of organic seed suppliers through
OMRI at http://www.omri.org/OMRI_SEED_list.html.
The “Save Our Seed Project” is producing organic
and heirloom seeds in the southeast region of the United States
and includes a list of their available seeds at http://www.savingourseed.org/.
Or for more information on growing organic seeds try http://www.seedalliance.org/.
Most of the seed companies on the lists mentioned above are
not exclusively organic, so you need to read the description
or understand the catalog symbols in order to be sure you
are ordering organic seed.
There may be instances where the specific seed you want is
not available as certified organic. The NOP allows you to
use untreated seed if organic seed is not available in the
form, quality, quantity or equivalent variety you need.
In our certified organic vegetable operation, about half
of the seeds we use are available as certified organic. We
grow cabbages. We have always planted a variety called Stonehead
because it matures early prior to the arrival of the cabbage
moth. This variety allows us to harvest cabbages without using
any allowed insecticides, such as Bt. Early maturation is
a quality of this particular variety of seed. Stonehead
cabbage was simply not available as organic seed this year.
So I bought conventionally-grown, untreated Stonehead seeds,
with records to show I searched 3 seed companies supplying
organic vegetable seeds. I wrote down on my seed log why this
particular variety is important to me. I am also trying a
different variety of cabbage that is available organically
as a trial.
Check with your certifying agent for seed supplier lists
and their recordkeeping requirements when using untreated
seed. They may require a non-GMO statement from your seed
supplier if the seed you use is non-organic. I use seed suppliers
that provide a non-GMO pledge in their catalog. Called the
Safe Seed Pledge, you and your certifying agent can
be assured that the seed company does not knowingly buy or
sell genetically engineered seeds or plants.
Keep samples of your seed labels and/or seed packaging. These
provide verification that your seeds are certified organic
or untreated. Inspectors may also want to review your seed
Under no circumstances should you use seeds treated with
prohibited substances. Fields where treated seeds are used
will be disqualified for organic certification for 36 months
following the planting of these seeds.
To recap – organic, always; untreated, if you must;
treated, proceed with extreme caution, some natural treatments
are allowed but as a general rule stay away. Tune in next
month when we’ll investigate soil erosion on the organic