In a significant development for the organic farming sector, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the finalization of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) regulation. The new rule, a response …
New Organic Transition Initiative to Address Several Industry Needs
As much as $300 million will be made available through a new Organic Transition Initiative from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program is part of the Food System …
Current USDA Organic Survey Open Until April 4
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in the middle of the 2021 Organic Survey. USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will be collecting data from organic farmers and ranchers through …
California Organic Institute Begins to Take Shape
The University of California announced the establishment of a new institution to focus exclusively on organic production earlier this year. The organic sector continues on its path of expansion, pushing …
New Proposed Organic Rule Available for Public Comment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has published a new proposed organic rule in the Federal Register aimed at providing better oversight within the sector. The Strengthening Organic Enforcement proposed …
CSP Explained: Organic Stewardship Mirrors Program Goals
Many aspects of organic stewardship represent the core focus of the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Organic growers may find that because of some …
New ‘Roadmap to an Organic California’ Report Released
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) released the second portion of a research project looking at the value that organic production can provide. The Roadmap to an Organic California: Policy Report …
UCANR to Establish First-Ever California Organic Institute
The University of California will be establishing its first institution designed specifically for organic research and education; the California Organic Institute. The new institute will be developed through UC’s Agriculture …
Confronting the Challenges of the Organic Sector
While the organic sector has been expanding in value and acreage in recent years, there are still numerous challenges involved in organic production. There are concerns related to acquiring organic …
Organic Growers Converge in Monterey
The Organic Grower Summit is expected to attract more than 700 organic growers and other industry members for two days of education, networking, and exhibition. Presented by the Organic Produce …
Organic Farmers to Harvest Record Acres in 2019
Mercaris issues Annual Acreage Report, organic farm ‘heat map’ tool Silver Spring, MD, (MERCARIS-Sept. 9, 2019) — Organic commodity farmers will harvest a record number of acres across the U.S. this …
Gene Editing in Organic Production?
A recent House Agriculture Subcommittee meeting appears to have shed light on the possibility of allowing gene editing in organic production. USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Greg Ibach …
U.S. Organic Sales Hit $50 Billion for the First Time
American organic sales hit a milestone last year, surpassing $50 billion dollars for the first time ever. According to the 2019 Organic Industry Survey that was recently released by the …
Organic Certification Cost Aid Continues With New Farm Bill
USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification …