News
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...
National Organic Standards Board – Spring Meeting
The NOSB Spring Meeting 2020 will be held live online, instead of in-person. This will allow the NOSB Board to move forward with deliberations in an open and public setting, without needing to travel. Public Comment is being expanded to two, webinar-based public...
USDA Seeks Five Nominees for National Organic Standards Board
Deadline for Nominations: June 1, 2020 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations of qualified individuals for five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member advisory board considers and makes recommendations on the...
Quaternary ammonia sanitizers/Desinfectantes de amonio cuaternarios
OCIA is resending this information from 2016. This includes updated test kit information. The use of Quaternary ammonia sanitizers are allowed under some organic programs with restrictions, but as they are a residual sanitizer, their use is discouraged unless required...
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet April 29 – May 1, 2020
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet April 29 - May 1, 2020 in Crystal City, VA to discuss substances petitioned for addition to or deletion from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), substances due to sunset from the...
Changes to OCIA Standards from 2020 AGMM
The 2020 Annual General Membership Meeting (AGMM) voted in favor of changes to the OCIA standards. * The membership voted to revise the definition of "conversion" and "transition." Conversion is defined as "A written program of organic crop improvement designed to...
USDA Providing Funds to Protect and Restore Agricultural Working Lands, Grasslands and Wetlands across Nebraska Applications due April 3, 2020 at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service offices
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is now accepting applications for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). This program, created under the 2014 Farm Bill and reauthorized in the 2018 Farm Bill, provides funding for the...
Recent EU Policy Change-Certificates of Inspection
The European Commission has announced that Certificates of Inspection must be issued prior to shipments leaving the country of origin. Failure to request a COI prior to shipment (plus allowance for processing time) may result in the product being rejected at port....
Future Leaders in Agriculture Program
The USDA Future Leaders in Agriculture Program offers undergraduate and graduate students in agriculture-related studies an opportunity to meet with producers, policymakers, business, government and industry leaders at the Forum and to discuss issues at the...
Nominations Open for USDA Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee
The USDA is accepting nominations to fill vacancies on the Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee. FVIAC provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on issues of importance to the produce industry. The nomination deadline is...