Organic farmers must follow practices that resemble land sharing methods. Land sharing is a form of agriculture that allows for the integration of nature/natural biodiversity and agricultural crops. To be organic, you cannot operate a monoculture system. With more biodiversity, fields will attract pollinators, naturally fight off pests, and allow the soil to regain nutrients that are lost in monoculture competition.

Soil testing must be done each year to maintain a minimum of 6 inches of dense topsoil across the entire field. Only 1% of soil erosion loss is permitted each year.

Increasing the number of root systems within the soil will help build its structure. Unhealthy fields can be restored to have 6" of dense topsoil, as older conventional tilling practices should only have effected the top 6" of a field.

Soil erosion is the result of many agricultural methods like tilling, monoculture systems, and overfertilization which leads to poor soil quality. To be considered organic, there must be special attention given to your soil. Organic fields must lose no more than 1% soil erosion each year. Here are a few preventative measures that fall within our standards; however, if there is an alternative method that a farmer uses to manage firm, healthy soil and prevent soil erosion, the method must be reviewed by the committee and determined to also be sustainable.

Our approved methods are as followed:

• We highly suggest that organic farmers use rotational grazing, which involves putting livestock in a concentrated area to graze and consume about 50% of material, then move them to another area, to prevent overgrazing and the loss of CO2 in the soil.
• Grazing done before crops are planted.
• Natural fertilization by manure
  • Recommended grazers:
    • Horses
    • Cows
    • Sheep
    • Goat
• To offset the methane production of these animals, we suggest planting evergreen trees. Evergreen trees can be incorporated within an alley cropping or windbreak system.