The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) evaluates gardening products, including fertilizers and soil amendments, to ensure compliance with certain standards. Products in the U.S. must comply with the standards set forth by the USDA National Organic Program in order to be OMRI listed. In addition to bearing information on their labeling, listed products will also appear in the OMRI search database.
Here at Wakefield BioChar, we know that our customers want to maintain thriving gardens without the use of potentially toxic substances. That’s why we diligently developed our biochar science to ensure our soil amendments offer top performance without increasing chemical exposure.
We use proven processes and all-natural materials to support healthy growth of fruits, vegetables, and plants. Our products even help limit your garden’s environmental impact.
Why Are Organic Materials Best for Gardening?
Good soil quality is an important factor when gardening. Because soil quality is often lacking, gardeners need to add nutrients to help plants grow. Use of pesticides and weed killers are also common within gardens to limit pest damage to emerging plants.
Using these products introduces a variety of harmful chemicals to your garden, which then infuse into fruits and vegetables after they’ve been harvested. Exposure to toxic chemicals is associated with an increased risk of serious diseases, including certain types of cancer.
Accordingly, many gardeners these days demand that the input products they use do not contain harmful substances. Organic materials offer the same benefits as harsh chemicals, without any of the possible risks.
What Happens During the OMRI Listing Process?
OMRI uses a comprehensive vetting process before allowing products to be listed. Here’s how the application process works:
- Submission – Upon request, OMRI provides an application package that contains essential information and resources. After reviewing these resources, the business can create an account with OMRI to have its products evaluated or renewed.
- Review – OMRI applies the standards created by the USDA National Organic Program to ensure compliance. The business applying will be charged a fee for this process, which is based on gross sales. The review phase typically takes a few months to complete, depending on how many applications have been received.
- Approval – Once products have been approved, manufacturers can include the OMRI seal on packaging. Products will also be listed in OMRI materials, including website databases.
Companies that would like to be included must update their application every year to remain compliant.
Additionally, listing is not the same as organic certification, which focuses on the harvested produce sold in grocery stores. However, certified organic produce must be grown using OMRI-listed products to receive the proper certification.
How Do Soil Amendments Enhance Gardens?
One thing Wakefield BioChar likes to stress to our customers is that biochar soil conditioner is not the same as fertilizer. Our products do not facilitate growth by introducing chemicals to the soil, which can lead to serious issues if the surrounding environment is contaminated. Instead, our products improve the texture of the soil and its ability to absorb moisture to ensure maximum nutrient and water uptake for plants and grass.
We love our products and love talking about them with customers. Feel free to contact us today if you’d like more information.
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