Lobbyists Conspired to Confine Chickens to Factory Farms Consumers Fight Back through Marketplace Activism Reacting to the close of a 90-day public comment period on July 13, the nation’s preeminent organic industry watchdog harshly criticized the USDA for what they called a “giveaway” to factory farm interests masquerading as organic. The Cornucopia Institute suggested that… Read more »
Search Results for: Linley Dixon
Is Hydroponics Organic?
[For more on this, read Cornucopia’s white paper The Organic Hydroponics Dichotomy: Can a Soil-less Growing System be “Organic”?] USDA’s Organic Program Allows Soil-less Practice Over NOSB’s Objections By Linley Dixon, Ph.D. The NOSB formally recommended that hydroponic systems, such as the lettuce farm above, be prohibited from organic certification.(Source: DollarPhotoClub) Hydroponics is a technology for growing terrestrial plants… Read more »
Follow the National Organic Standards Board Meeting in La Jolla, CA #NOSB
Last Updated: 4-30-15, 3:22 p.m. PT Join The Cornucopia Institute as we live tweet from the National Organic Standards Board meeting in La Jolla, California. We will be sharing the play by play with our Twitter followers under #NOSB or simply follow our stream. If you’re not already following us on Twitter, please do so… Read more »
Fall 2018 NOSB Meeting – Webinar: Tuesday, October 16, 2018
A Cornucopia staff member attended the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) pre-meeting webinar yesterday, where the NOSB heard comments from the public. Cornucopia’s notes from this meeting are below. Thirteen of 15 NOSB members present: Source: Aaron Yoo Ashley Swaffar Jesse Buie Emily Oakley Steve Ela Harriet Behar Asa Bradman A-dae Romero-Briones Sue Baird Tom… Read more »
Day Three (Wednesday) Report: Kowtowing to Corporate Agribusiness?
NOP Deputy Administrator Miles McEvoy Source: USDA Wednesday was the third day of the four-day National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California. At least twice a year the 15-member expert stakeholder panel meets at different locations around the country. The NOSB was created by Congress to represent… Read more »
The Stench of Hog Waste and Environmental Racism
Cornucopia’s Take: Industrial farms, in this case the hog lobby, have managed to deregulate their industry since the 1990s. Enormous hog CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) spray noxious waste held in “lagoons” on neighboring fields, making local people sick. Research shows that African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans are significantly more likely than white residents… Read more »
Women Farmers
Montana Public Radio by Beth Anne Austein Source: USDA Producer Lacy Roberts brings us an hour of conversation with and about female farmers. First, we learn why photographer Audra Mulkern started the Female Farmer Project and what it reveals about female back-to-the-land farmers. Next, we sit around the kitchen table with Tracy and Margaret, owners of… Read more »
Your Comments Needed: National List Too Long to Review Thoroughly
Source: CA2M By law, The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) must review every substance on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) every five years. This is to ensure that each material still meets the criteria stated in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA, of the 1990 Farm Bill). Since the organic… Read more »
USDA Seeks Nominations for the National Organic Standards Board
Four seats are open on the 15-member citizen board that advises the USDA National Organic Program. Nominations to fill the vacancies—for an environmentalist, an organic producer, an organic handler, and a retailer—are due May 15. “NOSB members serve a vital role for the organic community advising the Secretary of Agriculture (mostly through the NOP) and… Read more »
French Organic Winemaker Faces Prison for Defying Pesticide Order
The Guardian by Kim Willsher in Paris Credit: Pz.IStP Emmanuel Giboulot to appear before judge in Dijon for refusing to treat vines against insect that spreads devastating disease A French organic winemaker could face a prison sentence and a hefty fine after refusing to spray his vines with pesticide. Emmanuel Giboulot will appear before a… Read more »
