An organic industry data service says the U.S. now has 6.5 million acres of organic certified land. A report from Mercaris reveals that, as of August 2018, there are 17,648…
USDA Appoints Members to Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
…the fruit and vegetable industry. Committee members represent organic and non-organic growers, shippers, wholesalers, retailers, industry trade associations, importers, processors, foodservice suppliers, food brokers, state departments of agriculture and farmers…
Choosing the Right Mulch for Your Garden
…shops, and hotels are great spots for getting free, boxy garbage. Organic mulches also develop the garden soil for plants, and they moderate the soil temperature so that plants don’t…
Purdue: GMO Labeling Law Still Expected This Year
The GMO Labeling law mandated by Congress will be established by the end of this year, according to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Perdue told Organic Insider last week that despite…
Court to Hear OTA Suit Against USDA Organic Livestock Rule Withdraw
…agency contends that the Organic Food and Production Act does not give the National Organic Program the authority to regulate animal welfare. The Organic Trade Association is arguing that the…
Farm Bill Expiration Jeopardizes Multiple Programs
…rural development, trade promotion, and organic programs are also at risk in the short term. The farm bill expiration will not affect certain programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance…
High-Yield Farming May Be Better for Environment Than Previously Believed
…Contrary to common belief, results from the study show that organic production is more ecologically damaging than conventional methods. An evaluation of organic farming in the European dairy sector found…
Organic Production Project to Evaluate Advantages of No-Till Farming
A new organic production project will be looking closely at soil conditions and evaluating the effects of tilling in vegetable production. The project is being funded through a grant from…
California Navel Oranges Forecast to Rebound in 2018-19
…the statistical models estimating production. The varieties forecast in this report include conventional, organic, and specialty Navel oranges (including Cara Cara and Blood orange varieties). Survey data indicated a fruit…
OTA Moving Forward with Voluntary Checkoff
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is moving forward with plans to create a voluntary checkoff program. The Association says the program would provide industry-invested organic research, promotion and education check-off…
OTA Wants Voluntary Checkoff Program
…place by stakeholders across the organic supply chain. Laura Batcha is CEO of the Organic Trade Association. She says the group recognizes the industry’s demand for coordinated organic research and…
2018 CA Agricultural Leadership Class Selected
…California Olive Ranch, Gridley Steven Filter, Filter Farms Inc., Live Oak Cherie France, Homegrown Organic Farms, Visalia Daniel Hartwig, Woolf Enterprises, Fresno Alyssa Houtby, California Citrus Mutual, Visalia Betty Lindeman,…
How, and Best Time, to Plant the “Three Sisters”
…Vegetable gardening…How to plant a three sisters garden. Sustainable prepper garden. Companion gardening and sustainable! Planting organic corn, squash and beans! First Nations Permaculture garden technique or design. “How to…
Your Trash May Benefit Your Garden
…worthy and what is composite worthy. Organic compost Why? Compost enhances garden fertility. It recycles the nutrients of food scraps, grass clippings, fallen leaves, and other common organic matter from…