But, what wrong with the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement (NLGMA)? Why can’t we use it as a basis for our efforts to develop a program?

The NLGMA effort is focused on large scale commercial farming activities and has a one-size-fits-all standard that if Ohio decided to participate it would be only one vote among a group of states that do not share Ohio's environmental conditions, demographics, land, and other things particular to Ohio.

While the National effort fits only leafy greens like the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement what happens at the store, distributor or broker level is to apply the leafy greens standard to all commodities and thereby cancel out a number of farmers that were selling a wide and high level of customers. This is normally done by purchasing all commodities from a signatory to the leafy greens agreement to save time and separate transportation costs of ordering radishes from a small farmer and leafy greens from a large commercial grower.

Will I be able to sign on to the National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement if I desire?

Yes.

The proponents of the National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement have indicated that almost all of the farmers in California have signed onto the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement?

Virtually all of the large commercial farmers have signed onto the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement but a significant number (thousands) of small- to medium-sized farmers have not taken part in the effort. Generally the reasons have been because of too much government control, extreme resource requirements (direct monetary cost, land taken out of production, equipment requirements, additional supplies, additional personnel, inspection fees, and the time involved in maintaining compliance) and the detrimental effect on the environment.

The Community Alliance for Family Farms (CAFF) is opposed to the idea of both the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement and the National Leafy Green Marketing Agreement for the same reasons noted above. They have an extensive web site on this matter located at caff.org. Small farmers nor the diverse nature of this nation’s agricultural basis is not considered and pushed to the back of the line with both these agreements. One size does not fit all and under these agreements Ohio looses on all fronts. In the case of the small- or medium- farmer that decides not to sign on to the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, they loose business and the ability to compete intra- or inter-state.

How does this the proposed Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement affect Organic agriculture?

It does not in any way affect, change or alter organic agriculture. The National Organic Program is a quality standard with some food safety requirements built into it such as its composting requirements. The Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement is a food safety program and completely complements NOP.

At the top tier or Tier Level Three, there may be a number of second, third, or regulatory certification parties and programs that are required of a grower. Will this eliminate those other certifications?

No it will not. It will always be the case that everyone will want their own inspections and certifications. There is nothing that can be done about this situation. It could potentially eliminate some but it is not likely.

Then, given the last FAQ, why are we doing this?

In the top tier or Tier Level Three, there may be no reason to have the Ohio certification. This group of growers may join under a member-type status so to show their support for the Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement.

What is the concept of the first tier?

To begin, this is an all-inclusive program centered on a three-tier system. We want to be able to offer this program to anyone rather than make it exclusive to just a small category of growers. The tier system also allows anyone to participate without cost. These are two distinct advantages over the national program.

Is this program or concept in direct contradiction to the National Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement concept?

No, it is not. The need for this program came from the idea that California has a program to promote and protect specialty crops from that state and Ohio because of its more diverse and significant specialty crop agricultural culture needed some way to promote and protect its agriculture. The application of a California standard or any standard that is not custom fit to Ohio does not help the Ohio grower promote their farm products. There are a growing number of states that are devising their own standard to fit their demographics.

Is this a resource intense program? I cannot afford to add more people or take hours out of my day to do paperwork.

While the cost to implement this program is not exactly known, there will be a cost to the grower to come into compliance with the core standards. One of the objectives of this program is to keep the cost as low as possible. We are looking at making Tier Level One completely cost-free unless you want a participation certificate or inspection, and for the remaining two tiers attempt to use grant or other money for inspections.

Would there be a cost to use a logo or obtain a certificate or inspection report at Tiers Two and Three?

The tangible cost to change from using a manure system to composting process, water testing once or twice a year, using a Julian calendar or other system for trace-back, and training personnel to follow good hygiene standards all depends on the current status of the organization, the size and type of farm and how much paperwork and recordkeeping the grower needs to be for compliance with the standard.

The greatest cost may be the cost of attending training that is in addition to the training required by OFPMA on GAP’s. This additional training of course is voluntary but many growers find they desire much more information than provided in these programs. This is a good thing.

What products are covered by the Ohio Fresh Produce Marketing Agreement?

Unlike other efforts that only endorse particular commodities, the OFPMA covers all commodities thereby excluding no one and not developing a method for buyers to exclude a grower because they cannot supply a complete set of products covered by this program.

Is this a certification program?

This is a certification program but it does not mean that the products are certified food safe. What the certification means is that your farm has met a valid standard and is in compliance with the requirements of the program. The certificate will read, “Jones Farm was found to be in compliance with the standards prescribed by the OFPMA program.” There is no program anywhere that can certify one or all food produced from a farm or handler as safe 100%. It is the diligence of the grower and handler to do their part every day and with every harvest or production run to meet the standards as reasonably as possible.

Does this program also apply to processing or packing operations?

This program does not, but does require a compliant regulatory or third party audit of the facility if the OFPMA logo is intended to be used on the produce container.

I am accustomed to receiving a score when audited by an outside agency. Why does this feature not apply to this program?

The designation of Superior, Excellent, or other such ranking with a score of 95%, 89% or other numerical rank is for marketing purposes only. The international community only recognizes meeting the standard or not meeting the standard.

What happens to the grower who is not in compliance? How is it enforced?

To begin, an inspection is required to set a baseline and measure growth of a program over time. When one of the standards is not met, it is considered, “Not in Compliance”. Given the seriousness of the non-compliance it may only require a corrective action on the part of a grower or re-inspection by an OFPFSS inspector. Serious non-compliance actions such as repeated water issues or a direct contradiction to the standard will be reviewed by the Compliance Committee for appropriate action. Such remedies may be a review of the circumstances or standard itself, another inspection, probationary status, or a removal from the approved list of compliant growers for a prescribed period of time.

Who may belong?

No one is excluded, not even other states and growers. The lady growing lettuce in her back yard, the young boy selling his pumpkins by the side of the road, the muck farmer, Mennonite at an auction, any grower large or small – ANYONE. This standard is all inclusive at many levels.

Do you have a question?

Contact the OFPMA project manager Karl Kolb at foodsafety@opgma.org.