We would like to formally invite you to a Farm Bill listening session on Monday, July 31, 2023 at 2pm at Freeport High School which is located at 20 Holbrook Street in Freeport, Maine. Congresswoman Pingree, Chairman Thompson and other members of the House Agriculture Committee will have the opportunity to hear from Mainers about the issues…
Details
Soil is Key to Organic Production MOFGA Certification Services, LLC has joined forces with five other leading organic certification organizations to release an official statement emphasizing the fundamental importance of soil-based farming for USDA Organic operations. MOFGA Certification Services, LLC has collaborated with OneCert, Inc., OneCert International Pvt. Ltd., Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association…
Details
USDA Offers Assistance to Help Organic Dairy Producers Cover Increased Costs On May 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced assistance for dairy producers with the new Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP). ODMAP is established to help mitigate market volatility, higher input and transportation costs, and unstable feed supply and prices that have…
DetailsOrganic Market Development Grants OMDG Application Deadline Extended & Webinar The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for the Organic Market Development Grants (OMDG) Request for Applications (RFA) to August 8, 2023. Through OMDG, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will issue up to $75 million in competitive grants. Eligible entities include businesses…
DetailsThe Spring 2023 issue of The Organic Sprout is here – MOFGA’s biannual newsletter for certified organic producers. Contents include the strengthening organic enforcement (SOE) final rule, composting for organic production, record keeping, transition to organic partnership program (TOPP) and much more. Remember, back issues of the Sprout are always available on the MCS website.
DetailsMOFGA and MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) are pleased to announce that we have been chosen as a core partner and the state lead for Maine through USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is one of three focus areas by USDA to transition more agriculture to organic (generally known as the Organic Transition Initiative),…
DetailsAs many of you know, MCS works with the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry (DACF) to administer the USDA organic cost share rebate for certified producers located in Maine. This long established relationship has been a benefit to producers because MCS provides your certification fee information, and DACF requests the funds from USDA.…
DetailsTuesday, Dec 20, 2022 – – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced that it has registered the USDA organic seal trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The USDA seal trademark is specifically described in the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) and is currently protected by federal regulation.…
DetailsThe Fall 2022 issue of The Organic Sprout is here! You can access it and view or download a PDF from here. Contents include the NOP origin of livestock final rule, organic labeling, selling live certified organic livestock, sunset materials and much more. Remember, back issues of the Sprout are also available on the MCS website.
DetailsThe USDA organic regulations contain detailed requirements about how to produce and label organic products. Part of the regulations, the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), describes what can and cannot be used in organic—like what materials are allowed in organic food production and processing. On Monday, November 14, USDA will publish…
DetailsThe Spring 2022 issue of The Organic Sprout is here! You can access it and view or download a PDF from this link: https://indd.adobe.com/view/0184379f-6fe0-467b-a366-c7ab40eeee2f Contents include the NOP origin of livestock final rule, organic labeling, selling live certified organic livestock, sunset materials and much more. Remember, back issues of the Sprout are also available on the MCS…
DetailsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on May 16, 2022 that it will provide pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses to agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic. USDA will make $20 million available through the new Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) as part of USDA’s…
Details