Farmers, consumers and those interested in the organics industry are invited to attend the Georgia Organics Conference & Expo, February 16-17 in Augusta, GA. Michael Wall, director of farmer services at Georgia Organics, has more details. Georgia Organics Conference & Expo Coming in 3 Weeks Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding YearJune 30, …
Organics Encourage Support for Livestock Rule
The organic food sector is drumming up support for the recently ditched organic livestock rule. Leading the charge, Organic Valley cooperative of Wisconsin says the group is demanding that the Department of Agriculture stop interfering with the public process that created the rule. The coalition, which includes the National Farmers Union, published a paid open letter in the Washington Post …
Farmers Explore the Challenges and Rewards of Organic Farming
A panel of Farm Bureau members who farm organically discussed the challenges and rewards of choosing organic farming at the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2018 Annual Convention & IDEAg Trade Show. Panelist Tom Schwarz, an organic farmer from Bertrand, Nebraska, who currently serves on AFBF’s Organic and Direct Marketing Issue Advisory Committee, said organic was a viable option for his …
Support for Organic Agriculture Research, Extension, and Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced the availability of $17.6 million in grants focused on organic agriculture research, education, and extension activities. These grants are funded through a competitive process by NIFA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. “America’s organic industry continues to be one of …
Organic Trade Association Filed Complaint About Organic Livestock Rule
The Organic Trade Association filed a complaint in federal court regarding the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule a week before the Department of Agriculture announced its withdrawal. USDA on Friday published noticed that it would withdraw the rule because the rule exceeded USDA’s statutory authority. The rule is subject to 30 days of public comment. The Organic Trade Association …
NPPC Applauds Withdrawal Of Organic Rule
Listening to the farmers it would have affected, Agriculture Sec. Sonny Perdue announced that his agency will withdraw a proposed organic rule for livestock and poultry, a move hailed by the National Pork Producers Council. The Obama-era regulation – the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule – would have incorporated into the National Organic Program welfare standards that were not …
Farm Bureau Seeks End to Organic Livestock Rule
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is seeking full withdrawal of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule, now delayed until January. AFBF President Zippy Duvall this week in a statement said the rule “has been about pushing an agenda rather than advancing food safety or animal welfare.” Duvall said the rule would force organic farmers and ranchers out of …
Organic Livestock Rule Delayed Until January
The U.S. Department of Ag announced it will delay the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule until January 19. The Hagstrom Report says the announcement was strongly criticized by several House Democrats but praised by House Ag Committee Chair Michael Conaway, a Texas Republican. There are several provisions under the rule, an example of which is requiring outdoor access for …
Consumers See ‘Organic’ and ‘non-GM’ Food Labels as Synonymous
A study by University of Florida shows consumers regularly mix up food labels. University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says consumers mix up foods labeled “organic” and “non-genetically modified” and some view the two labels as the same. A national survey of more than 1,000 consumers gauged their willingness to pay for food labeled genetically modified versus …
NIFA Invests in Research to Help Boost Organic Farming, Ranching
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) announced grants to help farmers and ranchers grow and market high-quality organic food, fiber, and other products. The grants are funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and Organic Transitions Program (ORG). “Organic farming is one of many approaches to making American agriculture sustainable …