Organic compost in crop production

This chapter provides information on organic crop production which has been one of the faster growing segments of U.S. agriculture in the past decades. In the United Sates, the consumer appeal is the use of the organic seal guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture certification, monitoring and official standard, the “National Organic Program” (NOP). The NOP included non-GMO, toxic pesticides or chemicals, dyes or preservations. The chapter discusses how the compost industry can use compost on organic fruit/nuts and vegetable production and must comply with the NOP standards. Also mentioned the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI http://www.omri.org/"> www.omri.org/ ) as a marketing tool to wholesale or retail the compost into the organic horticulture industry.