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Labeling farm products for wholesale
Do non-retail containers (like a container of wholesale packaged products) need to be labeled? Yes. All non-retail containers (aka, “master cases”) that ship or store any raw or processed...
Alternate OTCO Logo
Who can use the alternate OTCO logo? Our OTCO “certified organic” logo is only available for OTCO-certified clients in good standing. However, there are additional requirements for...
OSP (Livestock)
The Organic System Plan (OSP) is your operation’s blueprint for planned organic production practices. Need to update your OSP? Blank forms for your livestock OSP are below. Check out answers...
USDA National Organic Program
What information do I need to have on my organic label? There is certain information all USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified products must have on their labels: An ingredient …...
Born to Be Wild
As the early spring sun rises over northern Michigan, bees shake off the cold and head out into the blooming tart cherry orchards. While collecting pollen for their brood, they …...
A Man, a Microscope and a Blueberry
Rufus Isaacs is a professor of entomology and Extension specialist at Michigan State University (MSU), focused on insect ecology and behavior to develop insect pest management practices for...
It’s Time to Bee Better
When most of us think of bees, we think of the Western honeybee: those familiar, sociable, hive-dwelling insects with the iconic black-and-orange stripes. But honeybees—introduced to the United...
Paying It Forward
In rural Iowa, George and Patti Naylor are a rarity — organic farmers in a landscape dominated by corn and soybeans. George Naylor, a strong voice against GMOs and a …...
Not your grandfather’s hemp
The 2018 farm bill has opened the door to U.S. hemp production for the first time in nearly 50 years, presenting opportunities for veteran farmers interested in cultivating a previously …...
From Plant to Product
Prior to the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, hemp was widely grown in the United States for its durable fibers and nutritious seeds. But, the law didn’t distinguish between hemp …...