Oct 16, 2020

‘Natural resources and biodiversity’ free course offered

Natural resources and biodiversity is the subject of a new free course from the National Organic Program’s Organic Integrity Learning Center.

For no charge, growers can study the core principles of preserving natural resources and developing biodiversity on their property.

The USDA described the course in a recent newsletter:

Core principles in organic farming systems include protecting natural resources and enhancing biodiversity. USDA organic regulations require operations to maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality. These are broad categories encompassing a range of activities impacting wildlife, water, soil, and air quality on a farm.

This course teaches certifiers and inspectors how to assess natural resources and biodiversity requirements as indicated in organic system plans (OSPs) and on-site during annual inspections. The course provides tools that help you know what to review and what to include in inspection protocols and reports. 

Previously-created courses include recordkeeping, organic system plans, certification review essentials, traceability techniques, and organic fraud and the criminal mind.

Registering by creating an account is required to access the courses.

Once logged into the Organic Integrity Learning Center, signing up for a course is like buying a product at an online store, but all training is free, the USDA said in its newsletter. Detailed sign-up instructions, with screenshots, are available online.