Glossary

Biodynamic
Based on the work of philosopher Rudolf Steiner, biodynamic farmers consider the rhythms of the sun, moon, planets and stars in making planting, fertilizing and harvesting decisions. The ideal biodynamic operation is organic and self-sustaining.

Biological Diversity (Biodiversity)
The variety of plant and animal species living in a specified geographical area.

Buffer Zone
An area located between a certified organic farm or a portion of a certified operation and adjacent land that is not maintained with organic standards. The buffer zone must be large enough or have other features that prevent contact of prohibited substances from adjacent land entering into the certified organic operation.

Certified Organic
A determination made by a certifying body that a production or processing operation meets minimum organic standards. A certificate is issued documenting the compliance and permitting the operation to use the certifier’s logo and certification number on the product.

Compost
The product resulting from the decomposition of organic material (such as leaves and manure), used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients.

Ecosystem
Living things – and their corresponding physical environment – that form a complex, interconnected web of interactions and relationships

Food Irradiation
Exposure to ionizing radiation, intended to be used as a method to kill bacteria and parasites that would otherwise cause food-borne diseases. Critics warn of the potentially harmful health impacts of this process. Food irradiation is not allowed in organic production.

Genetic Engineering
The use of recombinant DNA technology to deliberately manipulate the genes in an organism, resulting in a genetically modified organism (GMO). Potential dangers include the creation of new allergens and toxins, the evolution of new weeds or other noxious vegetation, and other safety and environmental issues resulting from the lack of long-term studies on GMOs. Genetic engineering is not permitted in organic production.

Natural
The term “natural” is not well understood with respect to food products. It has often been used in conjunction with health food marketing, but has few regulatory controls to its use on products. “Natural” does not indicate that a product is organic, or that it is necessarily healthy.

Organic
Grown or produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation or genetically modified organisms. Organic production promotes the use of sustainable systems, respecting ecological balance.

Pesticide
A chemical used to control, repel or kill pests. Pesticides include the following: herbicides (for plants/weeds), insecticide (for insects), fungicide (for fungi), rodenticide (for rodents), acaricides (for mites), molluscicides (for snails) and fumigants (used to sterilize soil).

Precautionary Principle
The precautionary principle states that if an activity might cause severe or irreversible harm, it should not be carried out – despite the absence of full scientific certainty that harm would ensue.

Sewage Sludge
Solid or semi-solid material generated during the treatment of domestic sewage in a treatment works, often used as a fertilizer. Sewage sludge is not permitted in organic production.

Last Updated: 2009-05-04 09:56:30