The USDA recently withdrew its organic livestock and checkoff rules, which signals that the agency likely won’t be setting any higher standards for the organic seal. Laura Batcha, CEO of …
Organic Farmers Association Applauds Organic Checkoff Withdrawal
The Organic Farmers Association is happy the U.S. Department of Agriculture took action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic. The …
Consumers Buy More Organic in 2017
More of America’s grocery carts were filled with organic products in 2017. The Organic Trade Association’s 2018 Industry Survey shows consumers were buying everything from organic produce and organic ice …
Fifth Crow Farm – An Ecosystem of Sustainability
“When you first start farming, you have ideas of what you want to do to be sustainable and successful, but you can’t afford it,” says 39-year old John Vars of …
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. …
GAO Gives USDA Approval to Ditch Organic Livestock Rule
The Government Accountability Office says the Department of Agriculture complied with rulemaking procedures during its withdrawal of The Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule. The office reviewed the USDA …
Retail Market Mushroom Farm
How great would it be to see your produce growing right in the supermarket? Cathy Isom tells us about the innovative way a retail market is giving customers the freshest …
Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule
Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule. Led by the Center for Food …
Agri View: Imported Organics
Everett Griner talks about how unreliable imported organics really are in today’s Agri View. Organic farming has become a well known phrase in today’s world. From it’s start a little …
Farm Bureau Praises Withdrawal of Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule
The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall: “The American Farm Bureau supports USDA’s decision to withdraw the misguided Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule. …
Organic Herbs & Female Empowerment: A NRCS Success Story
A native of Imperial Valley, Myrna P. Arambula hasn’t always been one of the leading female farmers in the area. The daughter of a farmer, Arambula would always have a …
USDA Decides Not to Impose Additional Regulatory Requirements for Organic Producers and Handlers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the decision to withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) final rule published on January 19, 2017. The rule would have increased …
USDA Seeking Dismissal of OTA Lawsuit
The Department of Agriculture wants a federal district court to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the department’s delay of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule. USDA claims it’s challenger, …
Organics Encourage Support for Livestock Rule
The organic food sector is drumming up support for the recently ditched organic livestock rule. Leading the charge, Organic Valley cooperative of Wisconsin says the group is demanding that the …