Known as the Streamlining Organic Research Act, it would require the USDA to study the feasibility of certifying more research land as organic and would protect mandatory funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative.
Read Article
Known as the Streamlining Organic Research Act, it would require the USDA to study the feasibility of certifying more research land as organic and would protect mandatory funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative.
Read Article
“While we appreciate the USDA providing some help, the reality is that this program equates to roughly $6,000 for a 60-cow herd. It is going to make very little of a difference to the struggling small organic dairies in our community,” said Ed Maltby, executive director of the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance.
Read Article
Among other measures, the USDA will issue up to $75M in competitive grants to expand and improve markets for domestically-produced organic products.
Read Article
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service just released details about its $75M investment in conservation assistance for producers transitioning to organic production.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
In a visit to Maine, USDA undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt encouraged farmers to consider a transition to organic farming.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
Former Deputy Secretary of the USDA Kathleen Merrigan discusses how our country is moving in the wrong direction.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
This is the latest instance of Trump political appointees overriding the agency’s scientists.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
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.
Read Article
