News & Research
Stay up-to-date on the latest from OCIA International, our operators, and the organic industry.News: Updates from the Organic Industry
We’ve compiled the latest news from the organic industry to help you stay up-to-date on industry innovations and regulatory updates.
USDA FUNDING AVAILABLE TO HELP CONTROL SOIL EROSION ON CROPLAND
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available to help Nebraska’s farmers control erosion on their cropland. This funding is available through the Ephemeral Gully Control Initiative under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program....
Proposed Changes to the National List for Organic Livestock and Handling
The U.S. Department of Agriculture published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List). The proposed changes are based on April 2019 recommendations from the National Organic Standards...
United States Streamlines Organic Trade with Taiwan
USDA today announced a new U.S.-Taiwan equivalence arrangement, effective May 30, 2020, that streamlines organic trade with Taiwan. The arrangement allows organic products certified in the United States or Taiwan to be sold as organic in either market. It also...
Specialty Crops Producers Can Now Apply for Financial Assistance Through USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
Specialty crops producers can now apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), which provides direct payments to offset impacts from the coronavirus pandemic. The application and a payment calculator are now available online and USDA’s Farm Service...
2020 Organic Inspections During COVID-19 Pandemic
OCIA has created an Emergency Remote Inspection Policy and Procedures document. This summary explains the main points of the policy and procedure. It is recommended that operators stay inspection-ready at all times. As on-site inspections are preferred and there may...
USDA to Host Webinar April 29
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will host a webinar on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 2 p.m. ET, for farmers, shippers and other suppliers interested in learning more about the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. This...
New Developments in Canada
OCIA has been accredited by IOAS to offer certification of cannabis production and cannabis processing in Canada, through the OCIA International Certification Standards. The OCIA International Certification Standards are OCIA's private standard. Certification under...
New Applicant Inspections
Thank you for applying with OCIA. Due to COVID-19, OCIA has been forced to pause inspections for now. The NOP requires that an on-site inspection occur for new applicants before certification can be granted, which includes operations currently certified by other...
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Organic Seed Alliance (OSA)
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) have released two national organic surveys—one for certified organic producers and the other for producers transitioning to organic certification. This collaborative effort is part of a...