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 …
OTA Comments on USDA Halting Organic Checkoff Proposal
The Department of Agriculture has stopped consideration of a national organic checkoff program. The Agricultural Marketing Service published the proposal this week to terminate the rulemaking for the organic checkoff. USDA says the decision is “based on uncertain industry support” for the program and “substantive issues” with the proposed program. The Organic Trade Association however says the USDA actions reflects …
GAO Gives USDA Approval to Ditch Organic Livestock Rule
The Government Accountability Office says the Department of Agriculture complied with rulemaking procedures during its withdrawal of The Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices final rule. The office reviewed the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s process to withdraw the rule after many groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, filed lawsuits claiming USDA did not follow proper rulemaking procedures. The …
Retail Market Mushroom Farm
How great would it be to see your produce growing right in the supermarket? Cathy Isom tells us about the innovative way a retail market is giving customers the freshest possible produce. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Retail Market Mushroom Farm A brand new Whole Foods location in New Jersey is catching a lot of attention in …
Organic Groups Suing USDA over Livestock Rule
Four organic groups have filed a lawsuit against The U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, regarding the organic livestock welfare rule. Led by the Center for Food Safety, the groups say the decision to withdraw the rule was “outrageous and unlawful,” similar to what USDA called the rule. In the March 13th decision, USDA claimed the regulations …