Note: Glossary entries marked NOP definition are quoted from the National Organic Program Standards §205.2 ("Terms defined").

H

Handle.
To sell, process, or package agricultural products, except such term shall not include the sale, transportation, or delivery of crops or livestock by the producer thereof to a handler. (NOP definition)

Handler.
Any person engaged in the business of handling agricultural products, including producers who handle crops or livestock of their own production, except such term shall not include final retailers of agricultural products that do not process agricultural products. (NOP definition)

Handling operation.
Any operation or portion of an operation (except final retailers of agricultural products that do not process agricultural products) that receives or otherwise acquires agricultural products and processes, packages, or stores such products. (NOP definition)

Humic acid.
One of two types of organic acidic polymer contained in humus, its name deriving from the Latin humus, meaning earth, indicative of its brown color.