Blog posts by Guest Blogger

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, May 23, 2022

A new long-term lease partnership between CCOF-certified Spade & Plow and the legendary Van Dyke Ranch was announced this month. This collaboration will preserve Santa Clara Valley agricultural land and bring the valley’s rich farming history into the future. Spade & Plow is the result of five generations of family farming. Mike and his two sons Nick and Sam got the idea for Spade & Plow after working for several years in corporate agriculture, managing over a thousand acres of farmland, large sales teams, and gigantic distribution coolers. It started with the idea of connecting…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, April 25, 2022

If you operate a certified organic farm growing vegetables, fruit, or nuts, or are considering organic certification for your farm, then we would be grateful if you would answer our short 10-minute survey on third-party food safety certification. The survey is funded by the USDA, and all responses are anonymous. To complete the online survey, please go to our secure website at wsu.edu. We have heard that organic farmers may face unique challenges in meeting both National Organic Program standards and third-party food safety requirements. Our goal with this survey is to identify the best…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 7, 2022

Save the date for a western states webinar, 10–11 a.m. (PST) on March 11, on a revision proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to Subpart E of its Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule that would change the pre-harvest agricultural water requirements for covered produce (other than sprouts).   The webinar is co-hosted by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) and California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for the western states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.   FDA’s proposed…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 7, 2022

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2022 – This week, the USDA announced supplemental American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Local Agriculture Market Program (LAMP). In fiscal year 2022, LAMP will receive a total of $97 million in competitive grant funding to help local and regional food entities develop, coordinate, and expand producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets, and local food enterprises. Of the $97 million, LAMP’s Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program (FMLFPP) will receive $57 million, and Regional Food System Partnerships (RFSP) will receive $40 million. FMLFPP…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), as part of a federal grant, is working with the Central Valley Community Foundation and several other partners to evaluate an opportunity for a new community food hub or aggregation center in Fresno. A food hub can offer some unique opportunities, particularly for smaller specialty crop growers, to access new markets and is not meant to replace current market channels.  CAFF would love to hear from farmers and buyers; please respond via the following survey links:  Buyers Survey Farmers Survey CAFF has a few modest prizes to encourage…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 22, 2022

On March 2, 2022, Organic Farmers Association, Organic Trade Association, and the Swette Center at Arizona State University will be co-hosting a national meeting for organic farmer input on core organic priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill. We really want your voice to be included, but you need to act in the next week! There are two ways farmers can participate: 1.  Attend the virtual National Organic Farmer Meeting on March 2 (10 a.m – 2 p.m.). Register online by February 25! 2.  Complete a 20 minute 20203 Farm Bill survey by March 1! *** This article was submitted by the Organic Farmers…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Researchers from the University of California, Davis, Kansas State University, University of Georgia, and University of Florida want to better understand the organic industry’s needs and challenges regarding postharvest handling and the safety of fresh produce.  As part of a USDA Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) grant, these scientists seek your participation in a survey that will help design practical research and education programs to ensure the quality, shelf life, and safety of organic fruits and vegetables throughout the supply chain.  You will receive a $10 gift card…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 22, 2022

USDA has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), part of the organic regulations overseen by the NOP. The proposed changes are based on October 2020 and April 2021 recommendations from the NOSB. This proposed rule would: Allow paper pots, seed tape, and collars for use as planting aids in organic crop production. Allow low-acyl gellan gum for use as a thickener, gelling agent, or stabilizer in organic food processing. Correct a spelling error on the National List to change “wood resin” to “wood…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 22, 2022

New Pandemic Cover Crop Program Benefits Producers and Supports Climate-Smart Production Practices Agricultural producers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit from the USDA if they planted cover crops during the 2022 crop year. To receive the benefit from this year’s Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP), producers must report cover crop acreage by March 15, 2022.   The new program comes on the heels of the recently announced Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, which creates market opportunities for U.S. agricultural and forestry…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, February 14, 2022

A team of Arizona State University (ASU) researchers is looking for organic farmers to take a survey about their nutrient management practices.  The first 100 participants will be provided with a free soil test for their participation.  The survey should take approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. Your responses will be confidential and not associated with your identifiable information. We will not retain identifying information, except for your name and contact information, which will be used only if you opt into the free soil testing. If you have any questions regarding the survey or…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, February 7, 2022

The National Young Farmers Coalition is joining other agricultural justice organizations in launching the most inclusive survey of young and BIPOC farmers to date. Every five years, we survey young farmers across the country to present an up-to-date picture of the challenges and promises of the next generation in agriculture. Our 2017 National Survey was a crucial tool in winning major federal policy reforms, and as the 2023 Farm Bill approaches, we have a critical opportunity to push for equitable land access, climate action, and racial equity in agriculture. If you are a current or former…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, February 1, 2022

  from left to right: Erica Godshall, April Crittenden, Renee McKeon, Dave Apple, Gamai Gregory, Zelda StoltzfusThe USDA National Organic Program (NOP) today recognized the work of accredited organic certifiers with awards for extraordinary support of the National Organic Standards. The awards were presented at the annual NOP Certifier Training for organic inspectors from around the world, held virtually. Ten certifiers were recognized for exceeding requirements for delivering high quality data to the Organic INTEGRITY Database in 2021. Two Certifiers were also recognized with a Director's…
Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Join University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the Agricultural and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA) this winter for a weekly lunchtime seminar series for organic growers. During each Zoom session, a guest speaker will give a 30-minute presentation, followed by questions from the listeners and a more general discussion. See below for more details on the weekly seminar topics and instructions for connecting to the Zoom sessions. Spanish translation will be available. Series Dates: January 18–March 8, 2022 Day/Time: Tuesdays, 12–1 p.m. Pacific Time How To Connect: The…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, December 20, 2021

Organic farmers keep our families and communities fed with healthy, nutritious food, but they also do so much more. Through their work, organic farmers are also contributing to the fight against climate change, helping our economy recover, and solving health inequities. Even when times are hard, organic farmers continue in their commitment to keep food on our tables.  Now is the time to repay that commitment by donating to our Bricmont Hardship Assistance Fund, which gives financial support to organic farmers in times of need. Every dollar of your donation goes to a farmer who needs help.…
Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, November 22, 2021

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) as part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which provides new, broader, and more equitable opportunities for farmers, ranchers, and producers.    OTECP funding is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act…