ProfCreditation

Healthy Yards Accreditation

Healthy Yards accreditation supports sustainable and ecological landscaping. It's aim is to enhance biodiversity, water and soil health and the restoration and preservation of our natural habitat.

To receive a Healthy Yards Accreditation landscapers need to commit:

Not to use conventional or organic pesticides for standard maintenance
Not to use chemical fertilizers
Not to use soil amendmend for standard maintenance
Not use gasoline operated garden equipment (mower exempt)
Limit the use of leafblowing to hardscapes
Be familiar with the practice of mulching and composting
Be respectful of our habitat

If you think your company can pledge to the above, let us know. We love to accredit your healthy yard practices. Please contact us at:

► info@healthyyards.org

NOFA

The mission of the Northeast Organic Farming Association's Organic Land Care Program (NOFA OLC) is to extend the vision and principles of organic agriculture to the care of the landscapes where people carry out their daily lives.

Organic land care is a sustainable ecological landscaping system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-site inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony and beauty in urban and suburban landscapes and gardens. Organic, in particular, means landscaping with no synthetic pesticides of any kind (insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.) and with no synthetic fertilizers or soil amendments. NFOFA offers an Accreditation Program for organic land care professionals based on the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care. The accreditation exam is given on the last day of the 30-Hour Accreditation Course. NOFA OLC is offered 2-3 times per year; to view upcoming accreditation opportunities, click here.

Those who pass are eligible to become NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals (AOLCPs) and pledge to practice according to the NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care for those clients who ask for organic

Contact:

NOFA Organic Land Care Program

126 Derby Avenue, Derby, CT 06418 tel: 203 308 2584

►www.organiclandcare.net

Go Electric

Gas-powered machines are damaging and cause serious pollution. Electric models have improved >

Planting

Look for plants that suit the climate and location. Plant at the right times. Use natives to support birds and pollinators >

Pesticides

Conventional and organic pesticides are harmful. There are more sustainable ways to fight pests >

Mulching

Leaf mulching reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides; it also reduces the pollution from leaf blowers >