Are the National Organic Program standards applicable to organic farms in Minnesota?
A. Minnesota has adopted the federal National Organic Program regulations as the organic food production law and rules in this state. Minn. Stat. 31.92, 31.925. In creating the Organic Advisory Task Force and related laws, Minnesota policy-makers have also determined that sustainable agriculture represents the best aspects of traditional and modern agriculture and is both good for the environment and for sustaining a Minnesota farm economy. Minn. Stat. 17.114, Subd. 2. Q. What are some specific ways in which construction and maintenance of a crude oil pipeline could impact organic certification? A. Pipeline construction and maintenance practices that may not be significant for conventional commodity agriculture may contaminate organic soils and threaten organic certification. National Organic Program standards preclude prohibited substances for a period of 3 years immediately preceding harvest of an organic crop. NOP, 7 C.F.R. 205.105, 205.202(b). Contamination with plant nutrients, pa
