Cornucopia is the most vocal and engaged watchdog of The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member NOSB is an expert citizen panel created by Congress, charged with advising the Secretary of Agriculture on organic policy. Cornucopia closely monitors the NOSB’s biannual meetings and activities.

One of the NOSB’s most important tasks is to determine which synthetic/non-organic farm inputs or food ingredients are permitted on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances.

Cornucopia supplies NOSB members with independent analyses of agenda items, relying on publicly funded research and surveys of authentic organic farmers. Cornucopia is committed to representing the interests of organic farmers and consumers to the NOSB.

If you would like to take action and comment to the NOSB, please sign up for Cornucopia’s bi-weekly newsletter and periodic action alerts.

Spring 2024 meeting, online
Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s comments before the NOSB
Anne Ross’s comments before the NOSB
Watch/Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Fall 2023 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s comments before the NOSB
Anne Ross’s comments before the NOSB
Watch/Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Spring 2023 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Watch/Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Fall 2022 meeting, online
Oral comments to NOSB
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Spring 2022 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s comments before the NOSB
Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Fall 2021 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s comments before the NOSB
Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Spring 2021 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on native ecosystems
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments and the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s comments before the NOSB
Melody Morrell’s comments before the NOSB
Listen to the NOSB Meeting via Zoom

Fall 2020 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments and the meeting
Kestrel Burcham’s testimony before the NOSB: Transcript / Audio
Melody Morrell’s testimony before the NOSB: Transcript / Audio
Helen Kees’ testimony before the NOSB: Transcript / Audio

Spring 2020 meeting, online
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the public comments and the meeting
Anne Ross’ testimony before the NOSB
Kestrel Burcham’s testimony before the NOSB

Fall 2019 meeting, Pittsburgh, PA
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on oversight improvements to deter fraud
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on livestock issues, petitioned materials, and organic integrity
Synopsis of webinar testimonials: October 15 & 17
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Anne Ross’ testimony before the NOSB
Kestrel Burcham’s testimony before the NOSB (webinar)

Spring 2019 meeting, Seattle, WA
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on oversight improvements to deter fraud
Cornucopia’s formal written comments regarding Control Union Certifications
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on petitioned materials and organic integrity
Synopsis of webinar testimonials: April 17 & 18
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Anne Ross’ testimony before the NOSB
Kestrel Burcham’s testimony before the NOSB

Fall 2018 meeting, St. Paul, MN
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on certifier oversight and conflicts of interest
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on petitioned materials
Synopsis of webinar testimonials: October 16 and October 18
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Anne Ross’ testimony before the NOSB
Mark Kastel’s testimony before the NOSB
Melody Morrell’s testimony before the NOSB

Spring 2018 meeting, Tucson, AZ
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on regulating organic imports
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on emergency use of parasiticides
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on preserving native ecosystems
Synopsis of webinar testimonials: April 17 and April 19
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Dr. Linley Dixon’s testimony before the NOSB

Fall 2017 meeting, Jacksonville, FL
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on hydroponics and container growing
Cornucopia’s formal written comments on preserving native ecosystems
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Spring 2017 meeting, Denver, CO
Cornucopia’s formal written comments
Analysis of submitted written comments by the full nonprofit community
Synopsis of April 13, 2017, NOSB webinar testimonials
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Dr. Linley Dixon’s testimony before the NOSB
Mark Kastel’s testimony before the NOSB
Dave Chapman’s (Long Wind Farm, VT) testimony before the NOSB
Anaïs Beddard’s (Cornucopia advisor and Lady Moon Farms) testimony before the NOSB
Tom Beddard’s (Lady Moon Farms) testimony before the NOSB

Fall 2016 meeting, St. Louis, MO
Cornucopia’s Formal Written Comments:
Carrageenan
Hydroponics
Policy and Procedures Manual
Sunset Review
Tocopherols
Analysis of submitted written comments on carrageenan and hydroponics/container certification
Synopsis of webinar testimonials
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting
Dr. Linley Dixon’s testimony before the NOSB
Mark Kastel’s testimony before the NOSB

Spring 2016 meeting, Washington, DC
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments
Synopsis of webinar testimonials
Analysis of Policy and Procedures Manual (PPM) changes
Carrageenan: material review
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Fall 2015 meeting, Stowe, Vermont
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments
Synopsis of webinar testimonials
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Spring 2015 meeting, La Jolla, CA
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments
Methionine Recap
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Fall 2014 meeting, Louisville, KY
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Spring 2014 meeting, San Antonio, TX
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments
Cornucopia’s web coverage of the meeting

Spring 2013 meeting, Portland, OR
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments

Fall 2012 meeting, Providence, RI
Written Comments
Analysis of submitted written comments

Spring 2012 meeting, Albuquerque, NM
Written comments
Testimony by Dr. Joanne Tobacman on carrageenan and its harmful impacts on human health

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