IMO, USDA is a prime example of bureaucratic insanity. Here is what they require for your filter dirt to be organic. (you seem to fit through a small loophole)
In other words, Who really cares about the USDA? I think the whole thing is BS, start to finish.
https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labelingUSDA said:Overall, if you make a product and want to claim that it or its ingredients are organic, your final product probably needs to be certified. If you are not certified, you must not make any organic claim on the principal display panel or use the USDA organic seal anywhere on the package*. You may only, on the information panel, identify the certified organic ingredients as organic and the percentage of organic ingredients.
*Some operations are exempt from certification, including organic farmers who sell $5,000 or less.
In other words, Who really cares about the USDA? I think the whole thing is BS, start to finish.