Blog posts by Peter Nell
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 25, 2017
on advocacy, research, standards
On Monday, over 20 CCOF members throughout Congressman Doug LaMalfa’s (R CA-01) district signed a letter urging the congressman to support H.R. 2436, the Organic Agriculture Research Act of 2017.
The letter explains that organic farmers and ranchers work hard to produce their crops, livestock, and food products, but their sector needs more funding for organic agricultural research.
The Organic Agriculture Research Act will increase annual organic research funds in the farm bill up to $50 million. These funds will ensure that researchers have ongoing support for their organic research...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 25, 2017
on advocacy, NOSB, policy
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will host their second yearly meeting in Jacksonville, Florida October 31 through November 2, 2017.
Organic stakeholders can now register to speak at a pre-meeting webinar and at the meeting in Jacksonville.
The NOSB will host an online webinar on October 24, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Those interested in the webinar must register before October 11, 2017. If all speaking slots are taken, NOSB will host an additional webinar on October 26, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Commenters are allotted a three-minute comment...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 18, 2017
on general organic, NOP
Last week, the National Organic Program’s (NOP) Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy announced his retirement in a letter to the organic community.
In his letter, McEvoy gives deep appreciation to each level of the organic food chain. He highlights his top ten list of accomplishments at NOP which includes:
Developing a quality management system for NOP that improves program consistency and effectiveness.
Improving the communication and transparency of NOP.
Developing the NOP Handbook and implementing the Sound and Sensible certification process.
Ensuring that all accreditation audits were...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 18, 2017
on general organic, standards
The Organic Trade Association (OTA) filed a lawsuit against USDA over its delay of the implementation of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) rule.
OTA’s lawsuit alleges that:
USDA violated the Administrative Procedure Act because it delayed OLPP without any public process and also violated the same act by abusing its discretion by proposing action to indefinitely delay or shelve the rule;
USDA violated the Organic Foods Production Act and its consultation provisions where industry and public stakeholders can revise, refine, and advance organic standards via the well-defined...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 18, 2017
on general organic, materials, NOSB, standards
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) has released the meeting materials for their upcoming fall meeting in Jacksonville, Florida.
NOSB will discuss:
Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification Subcommittee:
o Proposal: Eliminating the incentive to convert native ecosystems to organic production
o Proposal: Excluded operations in the supply chain (uncertified handlers)
Crops Subcommittee:
o Crops 2019 Sunset Reviews
o Proposal: Petition - Fatty alcohols (octanol/decanol mix)
o Proposal: Petition - Anaerobic Digestate
o Proposal: Strengthening the organic seed guidance (NOP 5029)...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 18, 2017
on events, general organic, grower
USDA and the National Center for Appropriate Techonology (NCAT) will host the third annual Latino Farmer Conference on November 7, 2017, in Palm Desert, California. The conference is open to all farmers and ranchers, and will be presented in Spanish with English translation provided via translation headsets. The conference aims to bring the Latino farming community, the agricultural industry and agribusiness, and advocates for sustainability together for workshops and networking.
Registration is $20 and includes breakfast and lunch. No one will be turned away due to lack of funds, and...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 11, 2017
on advocacy, policy, regulatory
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will vote on the re-listing or removal of 43 substances on the National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances (National List) at their meeting in Jacksonville, Florida on October 31 – November 2, 2017.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit public comments via https://www.regulations.gov/ using docket number AMS-NOP-17-0024-0001 until October 11, 2017. Additionally, oral comments will be accepted in-person and through a pre-meeting webinar.
NOSB reviews all substances on the National List every five years to determine their status...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, September 11, 2017
on general organic, grower, handler, regulatory
FDA released an informational guide to assist businesses in complying with the Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011 (FSMA). The guide, “Standards for Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: What you Need to Know about the FDA Regulation: Guidance for Industry Small Entity Compliance Guide,” explains FSMA and its rules.
CCOF highly encourages members falling into the small entity category, as defined in the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement and Fairness Act, to reference the comprehensive guide for questions regarding FSMA requirements.
Chapter...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, August 28, 2017
on advocacy, farm bill, policy
The state of California shared their 2018 Farm Bill recommendations with congressional leaders in the House of Representatives and the Senate. The letter was signed by the heads of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), the California Natural Resource Agency, and the California Health and Human Services Agency.
California’s recommendations cover funding food and nutrition programs, protecting and enhancing conservation programs, safeguarding marketing and trade programs, strengthening animal and plant health...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, August 28, 2017
on education, events, general organic
The Occidental Arts & Ecology Center (OAEC) and California Climate Action Network (CalCAN) are hosting a fully funded four-day policy advocacy training for women farmers and ranchers. The training, Forces of Natures: Advocacy Skills Training for Women Farmers and Ranchers, will be held at OAEC in Sonoma, California, on November 9-12, 2017.
The training will boost advocacy skills for women passionate about regenerative ranching and farming, enhance strategic thinking, and provide an environment ripe for networking and mentoring. The training schedule is available online.
Registration...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, August 14, 2017
on education, funding, general organic
CDFA’s Healthy Soils Program is now accepting applications for grants to farmers and ranchers who implement on-farm practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and/or store carbon in soil, trees, and shrubs. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on September 19, 2017.
The CCOF Foundation has funding through the California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN) to provide support for the Healthy Soils applications of small, organic, and disadvantaged growers. Please contact Jessy Parr at jparr@ccof.org for more information.
The Healthy Soils Incentives Program will provide...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, August 7, 2017
on advocacy, policy, regulatory
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will meet via web conference on August 14, 2017 at 1:00–3:00 p.m. to discuss hydroponics in organic food production.
Access the web conference at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/3itgag2r7btt&eom.
CCOF highly encourages stakeholders and those interested to listen into the web conference.
NOSB is a federal advisory committee composed of 15 volunteers representing farmers; handlers; environmental protection and resource conservation; public interest and consumer groups; toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry; retailers; and organic certifying...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, August 7, 2017
on advocacy, farm bill, policy
On Thursday, August 10, 2017, Congressman Jimmy Panetta and Congressman Jim Costa will host a roundtable discussion with Ranking Member Collin Peterson of the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee.
The roundtable will be held from 9:30am to 11:00 a.m. at:
Hartnell Community College – Steinbeck Hall
411 Central Ave.
Salinas, CA 93901
CCOF highly encourages members to attend the meeting and advocate on behalf of the organic community. The roundtable is a rare opportunity for stakeholders to speak to three congressmen on the important House Agriculture Committee as they work...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, July 31, 2017
on advocacy, farm bill, policy
Members of the United States House of Representatives Agriculture Committee will host a roundtable discussion on the 2018 Farm Bill on Thursday, August 10, 2017.
Congressmen Jimmy Panetta and Jim Costa will be joined by House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson to gather California’s Central Coast’s farm bill priorities from 9:30 am to 11:00 a.m. at:
Hartnell Community College – Steinbeck Hall
411 Central Ave.
Salinas, CA 93901
The event is a rare opportunity for producers on the Central Coast to contribute to the national discussions that will help form the 2018...
Written by Peter Nell
on Monday, July 31, 2017
on advocacy, farm bill, policy
Modesto, California will host the next House Committee on Agriculture’s farm bill listening session. The session will start at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at:
Modesto Junior College West Campus – ACE Ag Pavilion
Brink Ave. & Shoemaker Ave.
Modesto, CA 95385
Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson are hosting the session to gather input from farmers and stakeholders that will help them form the 2018 Farm Bill. The bill includes funding to the National Organic Program (NOP), the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, the Organic...
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