The USDA announced that it is establishing cooperative agreements in six regions across the U.S. for the Organic Transition Initiative, Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
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The USDA announced that it is establishing cooperative agreements in six regions across the U.S. for the Organic Transition Initiative, Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
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A grant of more than $700,000 from the USDA will support a University of California collaboration to improve and expand undergraduate education in organic agriculture, with an emphasis on supporting underrepresented students.
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Some of the lead recipients include: $55M to the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture to help small and underserved farmers; $35M to Wolfe’s Neck Farm to catalyze transition incentives; $25M to the Organic Valley Carbon Insetting Program to help build a multi-stakeholder path to produce and market climate-smart commodities; $25M to Rodale Institute to quantify the reduction of GHG emissions and increase carbon sequestration; and $20M to Maple Hill Creamery to grow the supply and market for climate-smart, grass-fed organic dairy.
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According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of non-certified organic farms actively transitioning to organic production dropped by nearly 71% since 2008. Through the comprehensive support provided by this initiative, the USDA hopes to reverse this trend.
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In 2020, just as covid hit, the USDA, EPA and FDA launched a pro-GMO campaign called Feed Your Mind. That program has since been updated.
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In a visit to Maine, USDA undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt encouraged farmers to consider a transition to organic farming.
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Along with providing technical assistance, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring, the USDA also acknowledged that “there can also be climate and environmental benefits” with organic. Wow.
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Former Deputy Secretary of the USDA Kathleen Merrigan discusses how our country is moving in the wrong direction.
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USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s dismissal of the E.U. Farm to Fork Program is out of step with consumer sentiment, food justice advocacy and the latest cutting-edge research on agroecology.
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A new $20 million investment from USDA’s new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program will assist producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic.
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The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture announced an investment of over $30 million for 33 grants that support farmers and ranchers who grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber and other organic products.
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The USDA announced the other day that it will take another look at the organic animal welfare rules, which were tossed out by the Trump administration.
Read Article Jenny Lester Moffitt, a California organic family farmer, has been nominated to serve as undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the USDA. A very positive development.
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The USDA said it will dedicate at least $6 billion to help smaller-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers who were hurt by the pandemic, along with producers of organic food and other specialty crops.
Read Article Sen. Bernie Sanders was the lone progressive to vote against Vilsack, citing concerns about the corporate consolidation of agriculture and the welfare of family farms.
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While the Organic Trade Association is putting its faith in USDA Secretary nominee Tom Vilsack, the Center for Food Safety has outlined 7 reasons why he should not be confirmed.
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This is the latest instance of Trump political appointees overriding the agency’s scientists.
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While her track record on organic is unclear, Bronaugh would be the first woman of color to serve in the position, has extensive ag experience and is praised for addressing the mental health of farmers and food access issues within historically marginalized communities.
Read Article If approved, the USDA would consolidate its power in reviewing the safety and efficacy of both GMO animals and food — something that should be of real concern to organic advocates.
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Senators Corey Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) have announced The Justice for Black Farmers Act, a measure aimed at reforming the USDA and creating a land grant program to encourage a new generation of Black farmers.
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The New York Times is reporting that intense lobbying is going on behind the scenes for the USDA Secretary post. Organic advocates are pushing very hard for Rep. Marcia Fudge.
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The National Organic Coalition and Organic Farmers Association are outraged over the reimbursement cuts — at a time when these funds are needed more than ever.
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The USDA has missed its federally-mandated date to finalize the Origin of Livestock rule, whose absence is devastating many organic dairy farmers.
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Due to food shortages, the USDA is making it easier for low-income participants in the Women, Infant and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program to fill their grocery carts.
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