http://tilth.org Site News daily 1 2008-01-25T01:57:03Z http://tilth.org/news/nop-requests-comments-regarding-bulk-organic-products The National Organic Program (NOP) published draft guidance with request for comments. The draft guidance clarifies the certification requirements for handlers of unpackaged organic bulk commodities and specifies that handlers of bulk organic products—including grain, soybeans, hay, milk and livestock—must be certified or be covered under another operation’s organic certification. No publisher jborjesson 2012-02-06T19:39:15Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/nop-program-handbook-updates Visit the revised handbook page, which provides the table of contents in a more user-friendly, PDF format with improved readability. Frequent users may wish to bookmark the link for fast access. No publisher jborjesson 2012-02-06T19:32:56Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/usa-report-recommends-gearing-agricultural-policy-to-organic-farming The Organic Farming Research Foundation set up in 1990 has published a report on “Organic Farming for Health and Prosperity”. The report clearly summarizes the benefits of organic agriculture and formulates the goal of changing the US government’s agricultural policy. No publisher jborjesson 2012-02-06T19:25:46Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/tell-the-president-to-cease-fda-ties-to-monsanto President Obama has appointed former Monsanto VP and lobbyist Michael Taylor to become senior advisor to the FDA's commissioner. This unthinkable linkage between food safety and corporate interests that have little regard for the public health must be stopped. This example of a "fox watching the henhouse" is inexcusable. President Obama must reverse this unimaginably dangerous policy and isolate the FDA from corporate influence. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-31T22:19:35Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/2012-eqip-organic-initiative The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) was reauthorized in the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 (Farm Bill) to provide a voluntary conservation program for farmers and ranchers that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible national goals. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-27T22:40:22Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/canada-recognizes-usda-organic-pasture-reg-as-equivalent The National Organic Program is pleased to announce that Canada has recognized the USDA organic pasture regulations as equivalent to the Canadian organic stocking rates. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-27T17:58:16Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/ota-board-votes-to-move-forward-on-exploring-organic-check-off-program At its recent quarterly meeting and annual retreat, OTA’s Board of Directors agreed to move forward to Phase 2 of an initiative to facilitate an industry decision on a research and promotion order for organic. After reviewing the feasibility assessment prepared by a member-based steering committee, the Board looks forward to continuing this exploration with the entire organic industry. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-25T22:33:21Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/ofrf-awards-50-640-in-grants-to-organic-farm-research The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has awarded four grants totaling $50,640 to fund research for organic farmers. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-25T22:25:44Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/usda-seeks-proposals-for-organic-research-and-extension-initiative-grants The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has posted a request for proposals for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) for fiscal year 2012, with a submission deadline of March 9. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-25T22:19:28Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/nop-updates-website-with-new-training-modules NOP recently posted several new Training Modules to its website. Examples of new training modules include a label review and exercise, adverse action notices review and exercise, review of procedures for submitting questions to NOP, and NOP’s GMO policy. Additionally, NOP has added several new documents related to accreditation and certification procedures to the NOP Program Handbook. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-25T21:59:37Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/nop-seeks-public-comment-on-proposed-rule-changes Public comment on proposed rule changes for non-agricultural ingredients listed in, §205.605 and non-organic ingredients listed in §205.606 is now open. The National Organic Program is asking that comments be submitted for proposed changes to Yeast, Pectin, Colors, Potassium Iodide and Hops by February 13, 2012. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-25T19:52:53Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/sunset-2012-vitamins-and-minerals-comments The Sunset 2012 and vitamins and minerals proposed rules were published in the Federal Register on Jan 12 and the comment period is now open. These rules were previewed online earlier this week and have been replaced with the Federal Register versions. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-13T23:16:59Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/missouri-organic-association-invites-public-to-workshops The Missouri Organic Association (MOA) meets February 2-4 at the Union Station Mariott for their annual conference, with a packed schedule of educational and thought-provoking events that are open to the public. “The most special thing about this year’s conference is Jeffrey Smith and his Seeds of Deception presentation which helps people understand that they do have a choice when it comes to the food they eat,” said MOA board chair Sue Baird. “It’s a great opportunity for people to hear the truth about their food sources.” No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-12T17:23:38Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/government-poised-to-approve-agent-orange-corn USDA is preparing to escalate, letting chemical/biotech companies force a new wave of genetically engineered herbicide-tolerant crops, mutants that can survive being sprayed with the infamous herbicide 2,4-D, an Agent Orange ingredient with documented, uncontested major health problems that include cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, and immunosuppression. No publisher jborjesson 2012-01-05T18:49:52Z News Item http://tilth.org/news/new-risk-management-tool-to-help-producers-achieve-gap-certification Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, along with leaders from food and agriculture organizations, introduced today a free online tool to help U.S. producers of all sizes achieve Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) harmonized standards and certification, helping to further expand economic opportunities for American agriculture. No publisher jborjesson 2011-12-20T23:11:04Z News Item