What does it mean to be organic?
There are many confusions where the word “organic” is concerned. From a legal perspective to be labelled organic, a producer must abide by a detailed set of government standards. The USDA qualifies produce as organic if no synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMO) are used. Pest control and fertility must be managed with only natural physical, mechanical and biological controls. And when producing organic meat, eggs and dairy, for instance, farmers must provide non-GMO livestock with year-round outdoor access. They are also prohibited from using growth hormones or antibiotics.
If you are interested in an overview of producing organic products, review this simple guide published by the USDA: Allowed Prohibited Substances
For more detailed information, review these links:
Synthetic substances allowed for use in organic crop production
Nonsynthetic substances prohibited for use in organic crop production