Assessing Organic Farm Nutrient Management

The United States Department of Agriculture provides requirements for a farm operation to become certified organic, but how do these regulations influence nutrient management on organic farms? There is insufficient evidence to show if the current regulations on nutrient sourcing and application are feasible and effective. An online survey was administered to owners and operators of organic farms. Survey respondents were offered a free soil test as an incentive to participate and to compare their practices and soil quality. Assessing the current nutrient management under organic regulations provides information to help assess the sustainability of their nutrient management practices. Early data suggest that organic farmers may most often be overapplying and creating legacy sources with this key resource.