The rule with the title: “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” is still hanging fire at USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
It’s said to be the single largest piece of organic food rule-making since the National Organic Program (NOP) was birthed by the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The NOP is the
Continue Reading Rule to reform and update enforcement of organic industry remains alive
The U.S Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service and it’s National Organic Program, have announced a public listening session for stakeholders to share their recommendations on the organic program’s’s rulemaking priorities and outstanding recommendations received from the National Organic Standards Board.
The session is scheduled to be held virtually on
Continue Reading USDA announces public comment session for input on organic program
U.S. District Court in San Francisco ruled this week that USDA was correct in certifying organic hydroponic operations as eligible for the National Organic Program (NOP). It was a victory for the Coalition for Sustainable Organics (CSO) and a defeat for the Center for Food Safety (CFS). It represented traditional
Continue Reading Court ruling clears way for hydroponics to join National Organic Program
Federal Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler is a former assistant U.S. attorney who spent much of her career as a top prosecutor for major federal crimes. Her latest assignment as Magistrate for the U.S. District Court for Northern California is to decide if the soil must be used to grow organic
Continue Reading Organic growers say it is in their economic interest to stay grounded in soil
Some fresh produce from hydroponic growers has been approved for and is being sold under USDA’s organic seal, but farmers who grow their organic crops in the soil don’t like the competition.
The litigious Center for Food Safety two weeks ago filed a rule-making petition with U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Continue Reading Organic industry is not giving hydroponic, aquaponic growers a warm embrace
Consumers buying pricey organic produce would likely be upset if they knew the imported fruits and vegetables they pay premium prices for are sometimes doused with chemicals when they reach the United States.
A new report by USDA’s Inspector General looks at the National Organic Program’s international “arrangements and agreements”
Continue Reading Inspector General again finds weaknesses in organic imports
The USDA’s National Organic Program will have new leadership as of October when Miles McEvoy steps down after eight years at the helm.
McEvoy, who has been deputy administrator of the National Organic Program within USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, announced his departure in a Sept. 10 letter he said he
Continue Reading Head of USDA’s organic program steps down after 8 years
And By Jay Lehr
President Obama tripled the budget and staffing at the offices of the USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP), only to see American organic acreage flatline during his tenure.
The $9.1 million might seem like a rounding error for Washington D.C. But what 43 organic staffers actually did
Continue Reading Should the boost in funding for organic farming survive in the new administration?
