CDFA Commodities exam
What is the NOP? - correct answer-National Organics Program; est after Organic Food Prod
Act of 1990; Made into law in Oct 2002; Does NOT cover non-food items
Why National Organic Standards? - correct answer-Uniformity among standards; Uniformity
among certifying agents; Assurance of organic integrity
What is organic food? - correct answer-Meets NOP standards; grown without use of most
conventional pesticides, fertilizers made w/synthetic ing./sewer sludge, bioengineering, or
ionizing radiation.
organic agriculture - correct answer-Set biological, cultural & mechanical practices that
support the cycling of farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve
biodiversity.
National Organic Standards for Crop Production - correct answer-No prohibited substance
for 3 years prior to harvest.
Establish buffer zones.
Improve soil conditions & reduce erosion.
Crop rotation, cover crop, compost...
Reduce environmental contamination.
How do you improve soil fertility? - correct answer-Compost, animal manures, green
manures, cover crop & mulches.
Seeds & Planting stock organic standards - correct answer-May use conventional seeds if
organic seeds are not available but only if seeds have not been genetically modified or
treated with prohibited substances i.e. fungicides.
What are the benefits of crop rotation? - correct answer-Interrupt insect life cycles; suppress
soil borne plant diseases; prevent soil erosion; build organic matter/fix nitrogen; increase
farm biodiversity
National Organic Standards for Animal Production - correct answer-Organic management
starts from last third of gestation (2nd day of life for poultry); 100% organic feed, no synthetic
hormones or antibiotics; synthetic vitamins & trace minerals allowed.
Organic Milk - correct answer-At least one year under organic management.
How do you convert and entire dairy herd to organic production? - correct answer-Providing
80% produced feed for 9 months, followed by 3 months 100% organically produced feed.
•Any producer, handler, or processor with an annually gross sale of $_____ or more must be
certified. - correct answer-$5000
Who does organic certification? - correct answer-•Certification is done by USDA accredited
certifying agents (ACA).
When can the producer be exempt from certification? - correct answer-•Exempt producer,
handler can be certified and market their product as being certified.
How long shall organic records be kept for? - correct answer-5 years
How long is the organic certification good for? - correct answer-Until the client closes their
account with the certifier or if it is revoked by CDFA or USDA through process of law.
What is COPA? - correct answer-California Organic Production Act. •Requires that food
produced and sold as organic must meet specified standard.
•It requires annual registration of all processors, growers and handlers of commodities
labeled as organic.
What year was the COPA signed into law? - correct answer-2003
What is the NOP? - correct answer-National Organics Program; est after Organic Food Prod
Act of 1990; Made into law in Oct 2002; Does NOT cover non-food items
Why National Organic Standards? - correct answer-Uniformity among standards; Uniformity
among certifying agents; Assurance of organic integrity
What is organic food? - correct answer-Meets NOP standards; grown without use of most
conventional pesticides, fertilizers made w/synthetic ing./sewer sludge, bioengineering, or
ionizing radiation.
organic agriculture - correct answer-Set biological, cultural & mechanical practices that
support the cycling of farm resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve
biodiversity.
National Organic Standards for Crop Production - correct answer-No prohibited substance
for 3 years prior to harvest.
Establish buffer zones.
Improve soil conditions & reduce erosion.
Crop rotation, cover crop, compost...
Reduce environmental contamination.
How do you improve soil fertility? - correct answer-Compost, animal manures, green
manures, cover crop & mulches.
Seeds & Planting stock organic standards - correct answer-May use conventional seeds if
organic seeds are not available but only if seeds have not been genetically modified or
treated with prohibited substances i.e. fungicides.
What are the benefits of crop rotation? - correct answer-Interrupt insect life cycles; suppress
soil borne plant diseases; prevent soil erosion; build organic matter/fix nitrogen; increase
farm biodiversity
National Organic Standards for Animal Production - correct answer-Organic management
starts from last third of gestation (2nd day of life for poultry); 100% organic feed, no synthetic
hormones or antibiotics; synthetic vitamins & trace minerals allowed.
Organic Milk - correct answer-At least one year under organic management.
How do you convert and entire dairy herd to organic production? - correct answer-Providing
80% produced feed for 9 months, followed by 3 months 100% organically produced feed.
•Any producer, handler, or processor with an annually gross sale of $_____ or more must be
certified. - correct answer-$5000
Who does organic certification? - correct answer-•Certification is done by USDA accredited
certifying agents (ACA).
When can the producer be exempt from certification? - correct answer-•Exempt producer,
handler can be certified and market their product as being certified.
How long shall organic records be kept for? - correct answer-5 years
How long is the organic certification good for? - correct answer-Until the client closes their
account with the certifier or if it is revoked by CDFA or USDA through process of law.
What is COPA? - correct answer-California Organic Production Act. •Requires that food
produced and sold as organic must meet specified standard.
•It requires annual registration of all processors, growers and handlers of commodities
labeled as organic.
What year was the COPA signed into law? - correct answer-2003
