Federal assistance programs allow low-income regions to enjoy the season’s bounty. National Geographic by Gloria Dickie Image courtesy of Tammy Farrugia For many living in the lower reaches of the United States, it’s a touch of southern comfort: Farmers markets—with offerings of peaches, sweet corn, watermelon, and cantaloupe—are cropping up across the region, filling “fresh… Read more »
Search Results for: national organic program
Another Corrupt Check-off Program Comes to Light
Cornucopia’s Take: One of the concerns of farmers, in regards to the proposed organic check-off, is how the collected funds will be used. This article about the state check-off program, Oklahoma Beef Council, illustrates one terrible scenario. $2.6 million paid by farmers and ranchers missing from Oklahoma Beef Council Harvest Public Media by Peggy Lowe… Read more »
Autopsy or Message of Hope?
Withdrawn animal welfare rule still under USDA analysis An unusual action by the USDA has left us scratching our heads. In April of this year, the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) requested public comments on the economic analysis of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) Rule—despite the fact that the USDA withdrew the… Read more »
(ALERT OVER) Mr. Obama, Please Fix Bush’s Katrina-Problem at USDA’s Organic Program
Action Alert Message to Obama: Please Fix the USDA’s Organic Mess Overhaul of Management and Culture Needed Please urge President Obama and new USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to take immediate action to repair the USDA’s increasingly dysfunctional National Organic Program (NOP). Suspect imports of grains, nuts, and vegetables from China and other countries, questionable organic… Read more »
Washington Post Investigative Report Documents Rampant Corruption at USDA Organic Program
[View Cornucopia’s formal legal complaints against Aurora Dairy and the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and the letter to USDA Secretary Perdue.] Industry watchdog calls for removal of organic program manager One of Aurora’s feedlot dairies Based on a scathing front-page exposé in The Washington Post presenting strong evidence that the largest organic milk producer in the… Read more »
Concerns Over Organic Commodity Check-off Proposal Swirling in Advance of Nation’s Largest Organic Farming Conference
Proposal by Industry Trade/Lobby Group Could Tax Farmers for Research and Promotion La Crosse, WI – As organic farmers and enthusiasts begin gathering for the nation’s largest organic farming conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, a number of questions and concerns are being posed about a proposal to create a federal market order and commodity check-off… Read more »
NFU Voices Concerns with Petition for Organic Checkoff
National Farmers Union Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106 [email protected] WASHINGTON (May 13, 2015) – National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today voiced concerns over a recent petition to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin the process of setting up a checkoff program for the organic industry under the 1996 Generic Act, citing issues… Read more »
(ALERT OVER) – USDA’s Organic Program Sides With Factory Dairy Farms
Ask Secretary Johanns to intervene Way back in the year 2000, concerned consumers and farmers asked the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to address a new and troubling trend – factory farms producing “organic” milk in confinement conditions. The board responded in 2001 by adopting a guidance document that would have helped farmers and certifiers… Read more »
2018 Farm Bill May Include “NOSB Reforms” Benefiting Industrial Organics
Cornucopia’s Take: Natural Grocers’ Alan Lewis recently visited Capitol Hill to discuss the upcoming Farm Bill with lawmakers. He shares his experience, insight, and disturbing commentary below about what this may mean for organic food and agriculture. Will Coming “Reforms” at the USDA Spell the End of Organic? LinkedIn by Alan Lewis Source: Douglas Simkin… Read more »
Bipartisan Agreement for More Agricultural Research
Cornucopia’s Take: The Senate Agriculture Committee recently held a meeting to discuss the history and future of agricultural research in the U.S. President Trump’s proposed budget makes deep cuts to agricultural research programs. More research funding is needed, particularly for chronically underfunded organic agricultural research. AGRICULTURE RESEARCH HEARING EMPHASIZES THE NEED FOR INCREASED RESEARCH INVESTMENT… Read more »
