Organic Greenhouse Production Resources

Organic methods of plant production are of increasing interest to many growers of horticulture crops including greenhouse operators. Some greenhouses are seeking “organic certification” in the same way as farmers of edible crops and livestock. When using organic methods for greenhouse crops, growing media, fertilizers and pest management techniques may differ from conventional greenhouse production.

The greenhouse environment is very effective at promoting rapid plant growth, as well as insects and diseases in a short time period. Greenhouse crops are grown in small volume containers and they are irrigated frequently with large volumes of water. The combination of rapid plant growth, limited root volume, and frequent leaching make organic fertility management a challenge. Pest management in greenhouses has changed dramatically over the past few years. Growers are now using natural enemies purchased from commercial suppliers to manage many pests in their greenhouses.

Below are resources for producing organic greenhouse crops in Massachusetts.

Organic Standards

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place a set of national standards that food and plants labeled "organic" must meet, whether it is grown in the United States or imported from other countries." From: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/Consumers/brochure.html

Organic food and plants are produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.   Growers of plants (includes dairy and crop farms also) and handlers that have more than $5,000 in gross organic sales per year and are marketing their products as Organic, are required to become certified organic to be in compliance. People who sell or label a product "organic" when they know it does not meet USDA standards can be fined up to $10,000 for each violation.

Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the plants and food are grown to make sure all the rules are being followed that are necessary to meet USDA organic standards.  If you are considering growing and selling organic products, contact a certifying agency. In Massachusetts , Baystate Organic Certifiers can answer questions about the process. See contact information below.

Information on the National Organic Program and a list of other organic certifying agents can be found on the USDA's website at:  www.ams.usda.gov/nop .

Baystate Organic Certifiers www.baystateorganic.org/

683 River St. Winchendon , MA 01475
Contact: Don Franczyk, 978-297-4171
USDA National Organic Program accredited certifying agent that certifies operations in the Northeast United States . Though their primary operations are in Massachusetts and Connecticut , they will certify Growers, Livestock Producers, Processors or Handlers in the following Northeast states:

• Massachusetts , Connecticut , Rhode Island , New Hampshire , Maine , Vermont , New York and New Jersey .

UMass Extension information on organic greenhouse production

Below are some fact sheets and resources to produce crops organically in greenhouses.

• Sources of Natural Enemies for Managing Pests in Greenhouses (scroll down fact sheet)
• Organic Growing Media and Fertilizers for Greenhouses
• Organic Greenhouse Pest Management Tables for Vegetable Bedding Plants
• Using Biological Control: Pesticide Compatibility, Testing Quality
• Using Biological Control: Greenhouse Pests and Natural Enemies
• New England Greenhouse Floriculture Guide: A Management Guide for Insects, Diseases, Weeds and Growth Regulators

Other Organic Greenhouse Production Information

Organic Greenhouse Vegetable Production (ATTRA):
http://attra.org/attra-pub/ghveg.html

Organic High Tunnel Nutrient Management, (slide show in pdf format by Vern Grubinger, UVM)

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) www.omri.org/

The OMRI is a nonprofit organization that specializes in the review of pesticides and fertilizers for use in organic production, processing, and handling. OMRI provides guidance on the suitability of material inputs under the USDA National Organic Program standards .  OMRI does not screen all possible products, only those submitted for review, so there may be other acceptable products not on its list. Suppliers can have products reviewed for a fee. Products that pass review can be labeled "OMRI listed". Some products on the list are regulated and subject to restrictions. In some cases, certain formulations of a product are permitted and others are not. Be sure to check with your certifying agency to be certain that the materials and practices you plan to use are approved.

Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) www.nofa.org

NOFA is an affiliation of seven state chapters. Each chapter is a self-sustaining entity within its state.

Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) www.SARE.org

This program of USDA's Cooperative State, Research, Education and Extension Service provides grants and other support for producers to conduct their own trials and explorations into organic and sustainable production.

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (NCAT) http://www.attra.org/

ATTRA is funded under a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture's Rural Business-Cooperative Service. It provides information and other technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, Extension agents, educators, and others involved in sustainable agriculture in the United States .

April 2011