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 more. Remember, back issues of the Sprout are also available on the MCS…

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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 Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP) as part of USDA’s…

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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 eligible expenses is now Feb. 4, 2022, rather than the original deadline…

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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 Program (OTECP) as part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which…

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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 Risk Management Agency (RMA) created this new policy based on…

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NOP Microlearning Now Available

The National Organic Program (NOP) is pleased to launch Microlearning on the Organic Integrity Learning Center. This new format is designed for quick, on-the-job learning. Each microlearning covers one topic, includes an ungraded knowledge check, and can be completed in 10-15 minutes. Microlearning is great for all organic stakeholders. You can use microlearning to understand…

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Organic Advocates Appeal District Court Decision Authorizing Labeling of Soil-less Hydroponic Operations as Organic

May 19, 2021 SAN FRANCISCO—Yesterday, Center for Food Safety (CFS), along with a coalition of organic farms, certifier, and organic stakeholder groups, filed an appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, appealing a district court’s ruling issued this March that authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue certifying soil-less hydroponic operations as organic under the Organic label. In the lower court case, CFS had argued that hydroponic operations cannot comply with federal organic standards…

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