USDA Farm Service Agency’s Post

Are you ready for the USDA’s new organic certification requirements taking effect on March 19? We recommend important considerations for #foodandbeverage businesses that import into the United States in this new #RSM insight.

Big news in the #organic industry this week! The USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) has released a major update to its "NOP Handbook: Guidance & Instructions for Accredited Certifying Agents & Certified Operations." This is the first major update in many years, and we have been eagerly waiting for it! The NOP Handbook documents have been updated or archived to reflect new regulations, such as the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule. Additionally, general education resources have been relocated to more relevant locations on NOP’s website and in the Organic Integrity Learning Center. Check out the NOP Handbook here: https://lnkd.in/gK-JPNMB. But there's more! NOP has also posted responses to frequently asked questions to help businesses, customs brokers, certifiers, and others working in the organic trade. Find these responses here: https://lnkd.in/eyddsjXi. This is a major accomplishment for the USDA National Organic Program, and we are grateful for their hard work. Onward and upward with continuous improvement in the organic industry! #MajorAccomplishment #BigNews #SoHelpful #NOPIsHardAtWork #Gratitude #OnwardUpward #ContinuousImprovement #fraudprevention #supplychaintraceability #OrganicIntegrity #CodeOfEthics

Making it to the bottom of the Q & A on SOE after brushing up on the updates to the NOP Handbook!! Feeling good, indeed. We got this.....ok..well,...keep asking questions so we can continue to test our knowledge and understanding, and our ability to communicate, learn and improve! Right Kim Dietz, MJ and Johanna Phillips? We are loving it. #InThisTogether #GrowingPains #TakeThisInStride #GrowthIsGood #LetsNotMakeItHarderThanItNeedsToBe #Integrity #StrengtheningOrganicSystems https://lnkd.in/gGmc2gcp

The CDFA has opened the organic certification cost share program to applicants. This year, the cost share offers reimbursements at the original levels of 75% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $750 per scope. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2023. More info below. #CDFA #CCOF #OrganicCertification #OrganicFarming #OrganicTransition

>>>>>NOP USDA ORGANIC CERTIFICATION 5 SIMPLE STEPS<<<<< Simple Steps On how to Get Organically Certified as per National Organic Program or NOP USDA. if found valuable Subscribe and press the like button. (Anil M V, Founder, Organil Services) https://lnkd.in/gi7tiK3u

Addressing the Challenge of Non-Conforming Produce This article highlights the plight of Emiel, an organic farmer facing surplus produce due to non-conformity with market standards, and... https://lnkd.in/eS67iuiX

Understanding the National Organic Standards Board process can be daunting for newbies (and not so newbies). This free session could help get you up to speed. #organic #organicfarming #certification #advisoryboard #agriculture

The Spring 2024 NOSB Meeting is coming up on April 29th-May 1st! NOSB, or the National Organic Standards Board, hosts biannual meetings to engage the public on proposed regulations and “sunset review”, also known as the opportunity to review pesticides/soil amendments to add or ban to the National List of Prohibited and Allowed Substances. 🌞 Strengthening organic standards is a crucial opportunity to enforce agricultural practices that sequester CO2, keep waterways clean, and improve working conditions for farm workers. Beyond Pesticides has called on USDA to adopt changes decided by the NOSB, which is unlike other citizen-led advisory boards within the federal government. Public interest advocates, environmentalists, scientists, and citizens are required representation on the NOSB. People power means accountability! 🌱 If advocates, scientists, and the public were to engage in this process, we could improve organic standards within one year—unlike toxic pesticide regulations through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Pesticide Programs that is reviewed every 15 years with very little public input or transparency around the review process. 🔍 Groups such as BEYOND PESTICIDES provide links, resources, and scientific analysis of the pesticides in question. See below 👇 #organic #usda #NOSB #climate #publicinterest #environment

Heads up to the organic community! 🌱 The SOE rule deadline is coming up early next year. Want to get the details straight? 🤔 Check out this video guide from our partners from CCOF A must-watch for anyone in the industry. https://lnkd.in/g-wTA9Ss #organic #NOP #SOE