USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has posted draft guidance on Classification of Materials and Materials for Organic Crop Production for review and comments by organic stakeholders. The first set (NOP 5033) implements recommendations from NOSB concerning classification of materials (synthetic vs. non-synthetic and agricultural vs. non-agricultural). The second set (NOP 5034) provides clarification regarding materials for [...]
Tag Archives | Organic Production
OTA members receive discount for SFTA webinars
The Sustainable Food Trade Association (SFTA) is offering webinars April 25 and May 30 that are of interest to the organic sector, with 10 percent discounts available to OTA members. The first is a webinar on animal welfare. Register Online (promo code AnimalsOTA). This webinar will cover National Organic Program rules for animal production (meat, [...]
Free webinar offered on organic dairy cow feeding trials
eOrganic will host a webinar Thursday, April 18, from 2 – 3:15 p.m. (Eastern time) on “Supplementing the Organic Dairy Cow Diet: Results of Molasses and Flaxseed Feeding Trials.” The free webinar is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. As certified organic grain prices continue to increase, dairy farmers are interested in finding [...]
Immigration reform and its impact on organic agriculture
As bipartisan Congressional support for immigration reform gains momentum, the issue of a consistently available work force for farmers is at the center of the debate. Arguably, this impacts organic farmers more significantly than conventional, since organic production is generally more labor-intensive. There is broad consensus that a readily available field labor force is essential to [...]
Negative television segment anticipated
ABC15, out of Arizona, is airing a segment Thursday at 10 p.m. MST, questioning whether imported organic produce bearing the USDA Organic seal is “chemical-free.” The ABC15 “investigators” claim to have found chemical residues on imported organic produce tested at a certified lab. The promotional clip for the segment teases “what’s really behind the sticker?” [...]
Cell fusion techniques used in seed production
Cell fusion is not defined in the USDA organic regulations but it’s included under the definition of excluded methods. In response to inquiries about the definition of cell fusion used in seed production, the National Organic Program (NOP) has released a policy (View Policy Memo 13-1) addressing when cell fusion is considered an excluded method and [...]
Organic experts sought for Tunisian volunteer project
The International Executive Service Corps (IESC), an international development firm based in Washington, D.C., is seeking individuals with organic expertise to assist with a U.S. Agency for International Development project being implemented in Tunisia. The project aims to boost Tunisian exports and promote broad-based economic growth by providing technical assistance to firms in the organic [...]
Canadian seed survey
USC Canada invites Canadian farmers and seed producers to participate in a brief survey to help identify demand and supply trends in the ecological seed sector. Questions relate to which vegetable and field crop seeds are most commonly used; the sources of those seeds; and which seeds are most commonly sold by Canadian seed companies. [...]
New guides for organic operations
The National Organic Program (NOP) has partnered with the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) to provide detailed Guides for Current + Prospective Organic Operations. The guides describe the relevant organic requirements for organic crop, livestock and handling production, and further explain the certification process. The guides provide helpful information for both beginning and current operations [...]
Energy efficiency in organic food production
The Principal Solar Institute has released a downloadable white paper entitled “Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Organic Food Supply.” The white paper concludes that one of the biggest opportunities in sustainability is energy efficiency.
