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Synthetic Substances - Parasiticides
A federal register notice was effective May 16, 2012 adds two livestock parasiticide substances, Moxidectin and Fenbendazole to the National List.
Clackamas Community College Offers Oregon's First Urban Agriculture Certificate Program
A new certificate program at Clackamas Community College provides a pathway to a career operating a small farm or community food system. The State Board of Education approved the Urban Agriculture certificate at its April meeting.
Organic 101: The Lifecycle of Organic Food Production
The NOP has published the fifth blog in the Organic 101 series: The Lifecycle of Organic Food Production. One of NOP's goals is to help audiences understand how comprehensive the organic standards and certification process are. To illustrate this, they created a "life cycle" story for their Organic 101 blog readers that examines the production process of organic cheddar from farm to retail.
OEC Shares the Harvest!
There's never been a more important time to donate fresh and nutritious produce from your garden to a local food bank or pantry.
Farmland LP Invests in the Future of Organics
Farmland LP started buying conventional farmland and converting it to organic food production in 2009. So far, 64 people have backed the project which currently holds $12 million worth of farmland.
Organic Foods Industry Creates More than a Half Million Jobs
Producing U.S. foods organically creates thousands more jobs than if that food were produced using conventional agricultural methods, according to a new economic study released today here at the Organic Trade Association’s (OTA’s) Policy Conference. The report, “2010 Impacts of the U.S. Organic Foods Industry on the U.S. Economy,” which shows the organic food industry generated more than five hundred thousand American jobs in 2010, builds on data released by OTA earlier in the week revealing the overall U.S. organic market in 2011 surpassed $31 billion for the first time.
Final Funding Opportunity for Organic Farmers and Ranchers in Oregon
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Oregon Acting State Conservationist Danny Burgett reminds potential applicants to contact their local NRCS office soon to find out if they are eligible for the agency’s Organic Initiative. Applications for the final ranking period of 2012 are due at NRCS offices by close of business on June 1, 2012.
Event on Capitol Hill celebrating the EU-U.S. equivalency agreement
The European Union Delegation will be celebrating the signature of the EU-U.S. equivalency agreement in our nation’s Capitol on May 10th 2012. An organic lunch will be organized in the Capitol Building and Joao Vale de Almeida, EU Ambassador to the United States and Kathleen Merrigan, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture will be offering opening remarks.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Grows, Celebrates Five Years
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) turned five years old in 2011, adding 80 new companies and another country (Kyrgyzstan) to the list of those with GOTS-certified facilities, expanding particularly in developed countries, accrediting a 14th certification organization, and receiving formal recognition by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). By year’s end, 2,714 facilities in 57 countries around the world were certified to the organic apparel and textile standard including 450 dyeing facilities, more than 220 spinning, knitting, and weaving units, and approximately 160 printing and manufacturing facilities.
Joel Salatin Responds to New York Times' "Myth of Sustainable Meat'
Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface Farm, makes a rebuttal to the myth of sustainable meat article published April 12, 2012 in The New York Times Opinion Page pointing to how meat can be raised sustainably and some of the challenges faced doing the right thing.
Organic Certification Cost Share 2012 Report
During FY 2011, USDA reimbursed certified organic farmers over six million dollars through the Organic Certification Cost Share Programs. This was an increase of over 20 percent from FY 2010. The NOP promoted the program through advertising, direct mail, and other outreach efforts to increase participation.
OMRI Supscription Discount
OMRI is offering a discount to certified operations who subscribe to OMRI. Subscribe now to get in on the coming soon online searches and resources exclusively for OMRI subscribers.
Comment Opportunity: NOSB Proposals and USDA Organic Accomplishments
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is now accepting public comments on its spring 2012 proposals. Also, view USDA's 2009 to 2011 accomplishments in support of organic agriculture.
Just Label It campaign hits million signature goal
The Just Label It campaign to label genetically engineered food delivered over a million comments of support to the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA was required to respond to the petition by March 27. It took less than 180 days to accumulate the record number of comments.
March 2012 Organic Integrity Quarterly
The March 2012 edition of the NOP newsletter, now called the Organic Integrity Quarterly, is now available! This issue includes updates on many important topics, including: U.S. / EU trade partnership, including reflections from Deputy Secretary Merrigan; Canada equivalency arrangement update; National List update EQIP Organic Initiative and other NRCS programs and services; Recap: 2012 certifying agent training NOP staff update
NOP Responds to December 2011 NOSB Recommendations
The National Organic Program published a memo in response to the recommendations made at the December 2011 business meeting of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
USDA Warns of Fraudulent Letters
USDA officials learned late Friday afternoon, March 16th, 2012, that fraudulent letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in at least four states. The letters purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information.
Apply Now for NRCS Organic Initiative
Is your farm eligible for financial and technical assistance through the National Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Organic Initiative? Part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Organic Initiative offers $50 million in financial and technical assistance to support a wide array of conservation practices specifically designed for organic production.
Updated List of Certified Organic Operations
As of the end of 2011, 17,673 organic farms and processing facilities in the United States were certified to the USDA organic standards. That's 478 more operators than at the end of 2010, and a 240% increase since NOP's tracking began in 2002. Worldwide, there are now 28,779 certified organic operators across 133 countries.
