An organic industry data service says the U.S. now has 6.5 million acres of organic certified land. A report from Mercaris reveals that, as of August 2018, there are 17,648 U.S. farms certified as compliant with the USDA National Organic Program standards for organic row crop production. The total represents three percent increase from 2017, or 460 new operations across …
OTA Moving Forward with Voluntary Checkoff
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is moving forward with plans to create a voluntary checkoff program. The Association says the program would provide industry-invested organic research, promotion and education check-off program that will be collaboratively designed and implemented by organic stakeholders across the organic supply chain. The trade association has formed a Steering Committee to coordinate and lead the efforts. …
OTA Wants Voluntary Checkoff Program
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) announced a plan to move the industry toward a voluntary industry-invested organic research, promotion, and education checkoff program. It will be put together and in place by stakeholders across the organic supply chain. Laura Batcha is CEO of the Organic Trade Association. She says the group recognizes the industry’s demand for coordinated organic research and …
FDA to Consider Organic Labeling Claims
The Food and Drug Administration will apparently investigate labeling claims of organic products. FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb took to Twitter this week, responding to a critical Wall Street Journal editorial, which a former FDA official argued under the headline “The Organic Industry is Lying to You,” that the agency has been lax in allowing the use of non-GMO and pesticide-free …
USDA Invests in Projects to Spur Innovation in Grazing Lands, Organic Systems and Soil Health
USDA will invest more than $10.6 million for 22 new projects that will drive public and private sector innovation in conserving natural resources in 27 states. The competitive Conservation Innovation Grants program helps spur development and adoption of new conservation approaches and technologies. “Through our Conservation Innovation Grants, we are able to bring together a wide array of groups to drive innovation …
ADAI Accepting Applications for USDA Organic Cost-Share Reimbursement Program
Alabama growers and handlers of organic agricultural products can recover part of the cost associated with their USDA certification. The reimbursement covers 75% of certification costs, up to a maximum of $750. The cost-share program makes it easier for certified organic businesses throughout the supply chain by recouping the costs associated with USDA organic certification. The Alabama Department of Agriculture …
Florida Organic Certification Cost Share Program
Florida Organic Growers (FOG), in cooperation with Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, is pleased to announce the 2017-2018 Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Certified organic operators in Florida can now apply for reimbursement of up to 75 percent of certification costs from October 1, 2017 to September 30, 2018, for a maximum of $750 per scope of certification. …
OTA: Higher Organic Standards Up to Industry
The USDA recently withdrew its organic livestock and checkoff rules, which signals that the agency likely won’t be setting any higher standards for the organic seal. Laura Batcha, CEO of the Organic Trade Association, says it’s up to the industry to take over from here. At the OTA annual policy conference, she said USDA has gone as far as it’s …
Organic Farmers Association Applauds Organic Checkoff Withdrawal
The Organic Farmers Association is happy the U.S. Department of Agriculture took action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic. The proposed program was causing divisions among the organic community. Checkoff programs must have the support of an entire industry to be implemented, which this didn’t have. The proposed Organic Research …
Consumers Buy More Organic in 2017
More of America’s grocery carts were filled with organic products in 2017. The Organic Trade Association’s 2018 Industry Survey shows consumers were buying everything from organic produce and organic ice cream to organic fresh juices and organic dried beans. U.S. organic sales totaled a new record of $49.4 billion in 2017, up 6.4 percent from the previous year. That total …