What are you 'allowed' to use in CERTIFIED ORGANIC farming?

Question

What would the people who buy organic goods be surprised that farmers/producers can use on compost, the land, the crop?

If you have good reason there are other non organic substances you can use in certified organic farming. What are these? Have you used them?

Is organic, really organic?

Answer 1

the shortage of answers so far illustrates the misconceptions people (myself included) hold about exactly what 'certified organic' means.  i have been scouring the usda website in search of a concise definition that doesn't refer to another one and am having little luck.

judging from the amount of regulations and applications one must juggle (at least in the states) to be certified organic by the usda, the process covers many steps in the food production process.  here are some links which may help you find some of the information you're looking for... apologies in advance if they are too vague or elementary for what you're looking for!

Answer 2

Is organic, really organic...when I grow it in my backyard it is... Organic gardening is a method by which you remove all chemicals from the growing process, using natural methods to promote healthy soil, different plants are beneficial when grown together while other plants are not. It took me several years to create healthy vegetables. I tend to believe that packaging for commercial purchase in grocery stores may remove some of the benefits that are achieved if grown organic.  If you are interested in purchasing organic produce check out the organic vendors at local farmers markets and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture)

Answer 3

What are you 'allowed' to use in CERTIFIED ORGANIC farming?

Manure teas, green manure rotations (cover crops), and some plant based pesticides (Bt).

What would the people who buy organic goods be surprised that farmers/producers can use on compost, the land, the crop?

Witch hunt.

A key characteristic of organic farming is rejection of genetically engineered products, including plants and animals.