The foliar industry has fully come around to accepting and advocating for the use of organic agricultural products during the last several years. As the popularity continues to grow, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) now regulates the legitimacy of these “organic” products. Companies across the world have been falsely advertising their fertilizers and pesticides as organic when they do not meet the standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s definition of the word. With the goal of regulating specific standards for farms and wild crop harvesting across the country, the USDA created the National Organic Program (NOP) which monitors the sale of agricultural products that are marketed and produced organically.

The NOP refers to “organic” in terms of labeling. This means that if a food or agricultural product of any kind is labeled “organic” that is must adhere to their standards and requirements. The NOP strives to conserve biodiversity, promote an ecological balance, and cultivate cycling of resources. Let’s take a look at the greatest advantages of using organic fertilizers:

• Mobilization of soils already on the grounds, reducing waste and density of nutrients
• Slow release of nutrients at more consistent rates to lessen the chances of a boom-and-bust pattern
• Most cost-effective than artificial counterparts
• Improvement of soil structure
• Increased soil moisture
• Prevention of topsoil erosion
• Decrease usage rates

From mechanical to biological to cultural practices, organic fertilizers and pesticides far outrank their artificial counterparts. The USDA’s NOP has taken massive strides to improve the agricultural landscape throughout the nation and this has led to healthier, stronger crops. Organic products will continue to lay the foundation for the future success of growers and farmers across the United States.