This fact-sheets from WSDA explains the organic regulations on boundaries and buffer zones and how to minimize risk of contamination by using buffers.
Establishing Organic Buffers
O rg a n i c C e rt i f i c a t i o n F a c t S h e e t
An organic site is any field or farm parcel from which harvested crops are intended to be marketed
as organic or transitional. USDA organic regulations require that farmers maintain the organic
integrity of their sites by minimizing the risk of contamination by prohibited substances outside
site boundaries.
Organic sites must have distinct, defined boundaries and buffer zones such as
runoff diversions to prevent the unintended application of a prohibited substance
to the crop or contact with a prohibited substance applied to adjoining land that is
not under organic management. 7CFR §205.202
What is a buffer?
A buffer is an area located between a certified organic crop and activities on adjacent land that
pose a risk of contamination. Growers establish a buffer when applying to bring new land into
certification. The size of your buffer will vary depending on your site’s risk of contamination. Your
buffer must be sufficient in size or other features (e.g., windbreaks or a diversion ditch) to prevent
the possibility of unintended contact by prohibited substances.
A buffer may be an area outside your site managed with native plantings or non-harvested
vegetation. A buffer may also be an area inside your site. If you produce crops within that buffer
area, they must be diverted to the conventional market.
If all adjacent land is managed organically, and no runoff or other contamination is of concern, a
buffer may not be necessary for your site.
Additionally, if adjoining land use or conditions change, an adjustment of buffers may be required.
Factors influencing buffer requirements
Prevailing wind moves towards organic site from conventional land
Prohibited materials applied with an air blast sprayer or aerial applicator
Adjacent conventional field is higher in elevation than the organic site
Adjoining area is unmanaged lawn, pasture, field, or other natural land
Only approved materials used on adjacent land
Adjacent prohibited materials applied with low risk equipment
AGR 3025 – July 2019
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Establishing Organic Buffers
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Ultimately, it is the grower’s responsibility to ensure the organic integrity of a crop is not
jeopardized.
Evaluating buffers at inspection
As part of your annual inspection, your organic sites will be inspected to confirm established buffer
management practices. This may include:
1. Verifying buffer management activities that have occurred since the last annual inspection
through observations and verification of records.
2. Confirming boundaries, buffers, and adjoining land use information on file matches observations
made and client input received at inspection.
3. Confirming buffers are adequate to prevent unintended contact with a prohibited material.
4. Providing technical assistance to help explain buffer requirements
5. Sampling certified product nearest to the source of contamination.
Keeping consistent and clear records (such as land management agreements, roadside
management agreements, and buffer harvest records) related to the management of your buffers.
This will allow your inspector to review practices that may not be observable in the field.
Collecting samples
Sampling is a tool used by WSDA Organic Program to test the effectiveness of an established
buffer. Samples are taken based on risk and at the discretion of the inspector. If a sample comes
back positive for a prohibited material, the growers’ buffer plan will need to be readdressed.
When residue testing detects a prohibited substance at a level greater than 5 percent of the
Environmental Protection Agency’s tolerance for that specific residue, the agricultural product can
not be sold, labeled, or represented as organic or transitional.
Additional Resources
What are Buffer Zones and Why Does My Farm Need Them?
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/6%20Buffer%20Zones%20FINAL%20RGK%
20V2.pdf
NOP Guide for Organic Crop Producers
https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/GuideForOrganicCropProducers.pdf
WSDA Organic Program
PO Box 42560 | Olympia WA 98504-2560
(360) 902-1805 | organic@agr.wa.gov
http://agr.wa.gov/organic
AGR 30XX
3025 – July 2019
2018
All Regions
External Link
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https://cms.agr.wa.gov/WSDAKentico/Documents/FSCS/Organic/Pubs_organic/3025_OrganicBuffers.pdf?/3025_OrganicBuffers