This webinar took place on October 5, 2016.
About the Webinar
Organic operations must follow the National Organic Program’s (NOP) regulations. The NOP Natural Resources and Biodiversity Conservation Guidance, which interprets these regulations, helps organic producers and their certification personnel determine which conservation practices are appropriate. Biodiversity conservation in organic agriculture varies in a continuum from simple to complex stewardship practices. Examples from Wild Farm Alliance that suggest compliance, and minor and major issues related to the Guidance, will be shared. This webinar will also feature presenter, Assistant Professor John Quinn, who will discuss components and issues around biodiversity. Organic producers will learn how to implement conservation practices, and certification personnel will become skilled on how to observe and verify organic operation’s biodiversity conservation practices.
Resources mentioned in the webinar:
- Wild Farm Alliance website
- Wild Farm Alliance publications: Biodiversity Conservation: An Organic Farmer's and Certifier's Guide and other publications
- NRCS Organic Farming portal
- USDA Organic Portal
- Healthy Farm Index Biodiversity Calculator
- New natural resources and biodiversity conservation compliance tool: https://www.organic-center.org/biodiversitytool/
About the Presenters
Jo Ann Baumgartner is the Executive Director of Wild Farm Alliance in Watsonville, California. A major focus of her work is on conservation education and advocacy in organic agriculture.
John Quinn, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology, Furman University, Greenville, South Carolina. John's work focus on biodiversity conservation opportunities and benefits of these actions in agricultural ecosystems; focusing on organic and agroforestry systems.
