Organic

USDA announces new members of the National Organic Standards Board

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Dec. 7 announced the appointment of five new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). “We appreciate the great work of the outgoing board members,” said Deputy Administrator... more »

Organic fits for future, say Organic Grower Summit speakers

Agricultural visionaries encouraged organic growers Dec. 5 at the Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, California, as the industry honored a family of farmers as its 2019 growers of the year. Organic Grower Summit this year... more »

Long-term study will offer more data on cover crop benefits

The popularity of cover crops has reemerged in recent years with farmers looking to a variety of grasses, brassicas and legumes to improve soil health. Cover crops can also improve water holding capacity, reduce erosion... more »

Organic farm transition funding available

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently shared a funding opportunity through its organic transitions program. “It is expected that all projects will integrate research, education and extension activities, as appropriate to project... more »

Penn State research projects awarded USDA organic agriculture grants

Three organic-agriculture projects led by faculty members in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have received grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding, totaling more than $1.3 million, was... more »

USDA 2019 Organic Survey to get underway in December

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will mail letters with survey codes this December to more than 22,000 U.S. producers involved in certified or transitioning to certified organic farming for the... more »

Exclusive showing of ‘The Last Harvest’ at Organic Grower Summit

An exclusive showing of the award winning Driscoll’s documentary The Last Harvest, which shines light on the labor shortage and immigration reform, will be held at the upcoming Organic Grower Summit, followed by an open forum discussion among... more »

Organic growers don’t like talk GMOs

Consider this a conversation-stopper. A USDA gene editing dialogue with the organics community didn’t get very far before a chorus of organic growers responded in the negative, saying it was a distraction from more pressing... more »