As I’ve traveled around the nation to talk about our new nonprofit organization, SafeLawns.org, I’ve sensed a tremendous amount of confusion about organic products. “What’s really organic, and what isn’t?” people ask. A press release on April 6 from the Organic Trade Association confirmed the uncertainty.
         “Unlike organic food products that carry the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) organic seal, fertilizers and soil amendments allowed in organic farming do not have a national logo that identifies them,” said the release from OTA. “Furthermore, labeling regulations for fertilizers vary from state to state, and the word ‘organic’ on these products often refers only to the chemical composition of the product. The result is confusion for home gardeners. A 2006 Internet poll of 1,162 home gardeners, by the OTA, indicated that 97 percent of polled gardeners are confused by fertilizers and soil amendments labeled as organic.”
         The timely release went on to offer shoppers tips:
         1) Gardeners can start by looking for the “OMRI Listed” seal. The Organic Materials Review Institute, or OMRI, is a nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic farming, processing and handling. OMRI checks fertilizers, soil amendments and other products against the National Organic Program (NOP) standards. OMRI, however, is a voluntary program for fertilizer manufacturers, and products that don’t carry the OMRI label may, or may not, truly be organic.
         2) To find fertilizers and soil amendments more likely to be allowed in certified organic farming, look for labels that say: “This fertilizer product is allowed for use in organic production;” “Meets National Organic Program requirements for organic production;” “ Suitable for organic farming;” “Acceptable for use in organic production;” “Meets the requirements of the National Organic Program (NOP) for use in organic production;” or “This product is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production.” Such statements are currently in use or have been approved for use on labels of fertilizer and soil amendment products allowed in organic production.
         3) Gardeners can find suppliers of fertilizer products allowed in organic farming and gardening on OTA’s Organic Pages Online under www.theorganicpages.com/topo/index.html. This directory includes a wide range of organic products such as blended dry fertilizers, composts, liquid fertilizers, micronutrients and soil conditioners.
         The OTA also urges gardeners to become familiar with the National Organic Program and its lists of prohibited substances or practices.
         “Urea and biosolids are examples of substances prohibited from use in organic farming that can be found in some fertilizers labeled ‘organic,’” according to OTA.
         To me, something like urea offers no gray area. Synthetic nitrogen sources such as urea are created in a laboratory by intensely heating methane; it’s absolutely not organic. Biosolid composts and fertilizers, on the other hand, are the source of great debate among people I respect on both sides of the issue. Biosolids — derived from human waste — have been the basis of Milorganite fertilizer for decades. This popular brand from a Milwaukee sewage treatment plant is used on lawns across America. Many consider the product to be organic, although it would never clear OMRI or NOP standards.
         When writing my book, The Organic Lawn Care Manual, I was ready to endorse biosolid composts and fertilizers for use on organic lawns — until I talked with people off the record at the Environmental Protection Agency, who urged me to contact Cornell University. The result was this passage:

Opponents of biosolids point to reports of contamination with various toxic substances, including heavy metals and non-biodegradable PCBs, a group of known cancer-causing  compounds. Some folks, frankly, can’t stomach the idea of having the byproducts of human waste applied anywhere on their properties. The biggest issue, for many, involves clarity. If biosolids are allowed to be labeled organic, consumers won’t know what is inside the product.

“Sewage sludge isn’t just human waste, it’s also everything else that people flush into the system — a fact the industry tries to obscure,” said Ellen Z. Harrison, director of Cornell University’s Waste Management Institute. “Many of these other materials never, ever break down. I don’t feel enough testing has been done. Very little data exists about the long-term effects of biosolids and land treatment.”

Having used biosolid-based compost on lawns for more than 15 years, I had always believed the material provides a low-cost alternative to synthetic fertilizers. While biosolid compost is nowhere near as effective as many, often more expensive composts, I felt that applying these materials to lawns is a great way to recycle wastes — and to help deal with a material that will always be in abundance. Research for this book, including Harrison’s comments, will make me rethink my position.

“I have not personally tried them on lawns, but I can see where Milorganite or biosolid composts could make your lawn grow well,” she said. “If I were near retirement age, maybe I would put it on my lawn. If I had young children crawling around on the lawn who would be far more susceptible to potential contaminants, I would have a different view.”

            The biggest area of confusion in the use of organic products, however, involves the deliberate deception perpetrated by some extremely clever marketers. That means that you, as a consumer, parent, pet owner and homeowner, need to be a really good student of the language. Watch closely, for example, for the phrase “organic-based.” To a chemist, any compound that contains carbon is organic, so the most synthetic product in the world can be seen as organic by the chemical companies.
            To a deceptive marketer, the ambiguity about this word creates opportunity. By placing the phrase “organic-based” on a bag, the marketers are duping people into thinking the product is perfectly safe. Many organic-based products do contain some organic materials, but most often also contain synthetic materials.
            Another favored word by marketing companies is “natural.” Absolutely no legal strangleholds are placed on the word, and therefore it can literally mean anything.
            The best advice is to be sure to read the ingredient labels. True organic products are derived solely from animal and plant products and byproducts or mined minerals. If you see a whole bunch of chemical compounds listed on the bag, box or bottle, then chances are it’s not truly organic.
            In the future, as SafeLawns.org grows in stature and resources, we plan to offer a SafeLawns.org Seal of Approval. Until then, look for OMRI’s distinctive red seal and read carefully.

A NOTE: The mission of the Organic Trade Association is to promote and protect the growth of organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public and the economy. OTA envisions organic products becoming a significant part of everyday life, enhancing people’s lives and the environment. As a membership-based business association, the Organic Trade Association focuses on the organic business community in North America. OTA’s more than 1,500 members include farmers, processors, importers, exporters, distributors, retailers and certifiers. For more information, visit OTA online at www.ota.com and www.theorganicreport.org.