As 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 Read More »
News Archive
Trademark Registration Increases Cost of Misusing the USDA Organic Seal
Tuesday, 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 Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Fall 2022 Issue
The 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, Read More »
USDA Amends the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
The 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 Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Spring 2022 Issue
The 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 Read More »
USDA Announces OTECP Program for 2022
The 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 Read More »
USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy
WASHINGTON, Mar. 29, 2022 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by Read More »
Avian Influenza Detected in Maine
Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in Knox County 02/22/2022 09:32 AM EST Read the USDA APHIS press release (Feb 20) regarding this incident. *H5N1 strain presents low risk to the public, bird owners urged to take steps to prevent disease* AUGUSTA, Maine – Read More »
Deadline Extended to Apply for Pandemic Support for Certified Organic and Transitioning Operations
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2021— The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for agricultural producers who are certified organic, or transitioning to organic, to apply for the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This program provides pandemic assistance to cover certification and education expenses. The deadline to apply for 2020 and 2021 Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Fall 2021 Issue
The Fall 2021 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 impacts of COVID-19 on our food system, changes to the MCS fee schedule and OSP points of emphasis, Read More »
USDA Restores Organic Cost Share Through Pandemic Assistance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on November 4, 2021 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 Read More »
USDA Introduces New Insurance Policy for Farmers Who Sell Locally
Oct. 7, 2021 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is rolling out a new insurance option specifically for agricultural producers with small farms who sell locally. The new Micro Farm policy simplifies record keeping and covers post-production costs like washing and value-added products. USDA’s Read More »