News
Site News
New Organic Cost Share Point of Contact
The National Organic Program (NOP) is providing a new point of contact for Organic Cost Share Programs. Your previous contact, Patricia Atkins, will be deploying to the Pentagon for the next few months - we wish her well!
Parents are Increasingly Aware of Unlabeled GMOs in Food
Results from the latest consumer survey conducted for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) reveal that as U.S. families are becoming increasingly aware of the presence of unlabeled genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in foods in the marketplace, they turn to organic as the food labeled by law to not have been made with genetically engineered ingredients.
The Organic Center names new Board of Trustees
The Organic Center has named 15 persons to its new Board of Trustees, and formally introduced them at its sold-out fundraiser dinner March 9 held in conjunction with Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, CA.
New Reports: "Biotech Testing" and "NOP Database Needs"
The National Organic Program (NOP) has posted two new reports on its website. Both reports were completed in response to the USDA Office of Inspector General's Organic Milk Audit Part 1 published in 2012. The NOP currently posts a searchable list of certified organic operations once a year. While we have received feedback that this tool is useful for website visitors, a more modernized system is needed to provide up-to-date information about certified organic operations across the supply chain, and to increase the NOP's ability to oversee a growing network of certifiers and operators.
Federal Crop Insurance Program for Organic Farming Practices
USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA) has announced new changes to the Federal crop insurance program for organic farming practices. On Feb. 22, 2013, USDA's Office of Inspector General issued an audit of the USDA Risk Management Agency (RMA) Federal crop insurance program for organic farming practices. The audit found that Transitional yields* (T-Yield), offered to organic growers generally exceeded what they had produced using organic farming practices for the crop years of 2008-2010.
Oregon Bill Would Bar Local GE Policies
Although Washington is getting a lot of buzz on its labeling bill, Oregon is also a hotbed of activity in the fight against genetically engineered (GE) crops. Citizens in Jackson County (in Southern Oregon) have successfully achieved getting a GE crop ban on the May 2014 ballot. Citizens in four other Oregon counties are also hard at work on similar county GE crop bans.
ORCA to Shed Light on "Natural" Product Labeling
The million-strong Organic Consumers Association (OCA), North America’s leading watchdog over organic and fair trade standards, announced today at the national Expo-West Natural Products convention, along with its allies in the organic and natural health community, a new nationwide campaign: the Organic Retail and Consumer Alliance (ORCA). This new alliance of public interest groups and food producers and retailers, including co-ops, natural food stores, farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) buying clubs and wholesalers, will aggressively promote organic food and products, and expose and eliminate the misleading practice of “natural” labeling and marketing that has slowed the growth of America’s $30-billion dollar organic sector.
Organic Producer Interview with Oregon Tilth's Aaron Zeis
Organic Producer is an online free subscription exploring organic topics. Watch their interview with Aaron Zeis, Oregon Tilth Certification Officer.
USDA Makes Progress on Improving Crop Insurance for Organic Farmers
USDA’s Risk Management Agency this week announced the removal, starting in 2014, of the five percent premium surcharge assessed against all organic farmers seeking federal crop insurance. This penalty against organic farming has been an issue NSAC has campaigned against for nearly a decade and we are delighted to finally report significant progress.
Sustainable Food Trade Association Releases Its First Annual Sustainability Report
According to a new report by the Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA), organic food companies are increasingly adopting a wide range of sustainability initiatives. Indeed, according to the first SFTA Annual Member Sustainability Report, member companies used less energy, created less waste, reduced their carbon footprints, and donated to the community considerably more in 2011 (the reporting year) than the previous year.
The Organic Center steps up research focus
The Organic Center has signed an agreement with U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) for ARS scientists to conduct targeted research on the factors affecting the presence of arsenic in organically grown rice. Making this research possible is a $50,000 grant to The Organic Center from the newly formed UNFI Foundation.
New Platform Established to Advance Research within Organic Sector
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements announced the formation of a new group to advance organic agriculture research. Known as the Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM (TIPI), the new group will address innovation and technology transfer needs in organic agriculture. TIPI will foster international cooperation; engage all who benefit from advances in knowledge; facilitate information exchange; and assist practitioners to disseminate, apply and implement innovations and scientific knowledge consistent with the principles of Organic Agriculture.
More Nutritious Milk from Flaxseed-fed Cows
A new study at Oregon State University (OSU) has shown that dairy cows fed flaxseed produce more nutritious milk, including more omega-3 fatty acids and less saturated fat, than that produced by cows fed a traditional feed mixture of corn, grains, alfalfa hay and grass silage. In the study, ten pregnant cows at OSU’s dairy were fed different amounts of flaxseed. Collaborators in OSU’s food science and technology department then turned the milk produced into butter and fresh cheese, and then tested them for texture and nutritional composition.
Robust Results from Research on Organic Cover Cropping
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are showing that farmers can fine-tune their use of cover crops to help manage costs and maximize benefits in commercial organic production systems. ARS horticulturist Eric Brennan has helped design a long-term investigation examining several different cover cropping strategies for an annual organic lettuce-broccoli production system. Six of the strategies involved cover cropping every winter, and the other two involved cover cropping every fourth winter. Studied were rye, mustard, and a legume-rye mix cover crops.
Seeds, Kelp, Livestock Feed Guidance + Residue Instructions
The National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to announce four new resources for its Program Handbook including: The Use of Kelp in Organic Livestock Feed, Seeds, Annual Seedlings, and Planting Stock in Organic Crop Production, Evaluating Allowed Ingredients and Sources of Vitamins and minerals for Organic Livestock Feed, and Responding to Results from Pesticide Residue Testing.
Response to October 2012 NOSB Recommendations
At its October 2012 meeting, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) recommended that the National Organic Program (NOP) take several actions. In advance of the April 2013 NOSB meeting, the NOP has published a response to these recommendations.
NOSB Spring 2013 Proposals
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is now accepting public comments on its spring 2013 proposals. A small block of rooms has been set aside for the public. To get the Government per diem rate ($113.00 per night), call the hotel by March 22nd and ask for the USDA block.
Organic 101 Blog + Organic Transitions Program Announcement
The National Organic Program (NOP) has posted the tenth blog in the Organic 101 series: Strengthening Organic Integrity through Residue Testing. Also, check out the funding opportunity through the Organic Transitions Program.
Visit the NOP at MOSES + U.S.-EU Trade Report
If you are attending the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) conference later this week, we hope you will visit us in booth 713! Also, view a report summarizing market opportunities from the United States/European Union organic trade partnership.
New Fact Sheet: Organic Livestock Requirements
NOP's new organic livestock fact sheet summarizes: Standards for all livestock, Allowed and prohibited substances, Ruminant pasture requirements, Benefits of organic and pasture-based management
