A Vote for the Consumer on Carrageenan
November 1, 2026
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to reinstate the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices (OLPP) Rule through new rulemaking, after the previous final rule was withdrawn by the Trump administration. In his statement on June 17, 2021, USDA Secretary Vilsack noted that the new rulemaking would address the prior ...
The National Organic Program (NOP) recently re-opened the comment period on the 2015 Origin of Livestock rulemaking, soliciting stakeholder input on a few questions that will likely inform the rule’s next iteration. Despite the clear intent of organic law, some organic certifiers allow dairies to transition conventional cows into their ...
A newly published report from The Cornucopia Institute tells a story few are writing about: Underneath the dark cloud looming over the beef industry is a commendable sector that’s vital to retailers, chefs, eaters, and local farming communities. Published at the very moment magazines, restaurants, and the public are reconsidering ...
In March of 2019, when General Mills made a commitment to “advance regenerative agricultural practices on one million acres of farmland by 2030,” organic enthusiasts gasped – and we have been holding our breath ever since. No doubt these acres would include some organic production, necessary to fuel the quickly ...
By Patrick Myers and Kestrel Burcham The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently stated its commitment to climate change mitigation. If true, the USDA must focus on improving and supporting authentic organic farmers—systems thinkers who farm with the ecology of the land in mind and work with natural systems to ...
Building capacity for change at Kalamazoo People’s Food Co-op An iconic mural in downtown Kalamazoo paints the picture of community: food, farming, music, intergenerational work and play. The artist was commissioned to create a scene that would proudly display the vision and values of the People’s Food Co-op (PFC), housed ...
Authentic organic farmer and former NOSB member Francis Thicke appeared before the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) during the public comments webinar on Thursday, April 22 to share concerns regarding the integrity of the national organic standards. He was speaking on behalf of 40 former NOSB members who served on ...
The Cornucopia Institute is focused on community resilience; access to clean, nutrient-dense food; and supporting the farmers who produce organic food and contribute to the health of the planet. But there’s no rulebook for the common good. Corporations consistently erode the boundaries of organic regulations, hurting authentic organic farmers who ...
On March 19 a California court delivered a gut punch to the USDA organic label, betraying the trust of consumers and demoralizing authentic organic farmers. The ruling announced by the Northern California federal district court allows soilless produce operations to remain certified organic under the law. The lawsuit filed last ...
Join The Cornucopia Institute as we keep you informed via web updates and live tweets from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting online. We will be sharing the play by play of the meeting on April 28, 29, and 30 below and with our Twitter followers at #NOSB or ...
Preserving Gullah farming traditions and food culture in South Carolina Story and photo by LeeAnn Chisolm Morrissette [This article was previously published in the spring issue of the Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter.] I met Sara’ Reynolds Green, lovingly referred to as “Mama Sara’,” and her husband Bill when I was ...
[This article was previously published in the spring issue of the Cultivator, Cornucopia’s quarterly newsletter. Donate today to protect organic integrity and receive our summer issue in print.] The Cornucopia Institute is adamant that the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) enforce the required management of the living soil. Authentic organic ...
