October 31, 2019 The U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced the official publication of an interim final rule, which establishes the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. This program, as required by the 2018 Farm Bill, creates a consistent regulatory framework around hemp production throughout the Read More »
News Archive
NOP Origin of Livestock rule – Open for Public Comment
The public comment period is now open – please make your comments here by December 2nd, 2019. The current regulations provide two tracks for replacing dairy animals which are tied to how dairy farmers transition to organic production. Farmers who transition an entire distinct herd Read More »
FACT’s 2019 Fund-a-Farmer Livestock Grants
FACT is now accepting applications for their next round of Fund-a-Farmer Grants. The application deadline is December 2, 2019 and grants will be awarded in winter 2020. This year FACT is delighted to again offer three types grants to working, independent family farmers located in Read More »
Mainers Invited to Dispose of Unusable Pesticides
Free disposal with pre-registration by October 7 This October, Mainers can dispose of unusable and waste pesticides thanks to a project sponsored by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection Read More »
Governor Mills and Commissioner Beal Urge USDA to Finalize Origin of Livestock Rules
August 5, 2019 Governor Janet Mills and DACF Commissioner Amanda Beal are calling on USDA Secretary Sonny Purdue to finalize the proposed Origin of Livestock rules to maintain important markets for Maine organic dairy farmers. Because of a lack of clarity in current regulation, some Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Spring 2019 Issue
The Fall 2018 issue of The Organic Sprout is available online! Please follow this link. You can read it from any device of your choice or download it as a PDF. Contents include Record Keeping for Certified Crop Producers-Part 2, Non-GMO Marketing Materials, Protecting Your Read More »
Defenders of Organic Integrity Win Victory for Transparency and Open Government
On Monday, May 6th, the Federal District Court in San Francisco agreed with organic farmers, consumers, and animal welfare advocates that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) cannot hide communications and documents that led up to the controversial decision by the Trump administration to Read More »
Farmer Scholarships Available for Seattle NOSB Meeting
The National Organic Coalition is offering a limited number of scholarships to farmers wishing to attend the NOC Pre-NOSB meeting (April 23, 2019) & NOSB meeting (April 24 – 26, 2019) in Seattle, WA. The following important topics will be discussed during the NOC and Read More »
New Resource on the MCS Website – Organic Marketing
MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) has new resources for its certified organic producers – an Organic Marketing menu which features newly developed Certified Organic IS Non-GMO labels, an organic certification and non-GMO label comparison checklist, as well as access to the Organic Valley (OV) Organic Is Read More »
Got hayfields and pastures?
Do you have hayfields and pastures that are in need of some attention? Are you feeding your animals good quality forages? Do you want to learn what makes a good hay crop? The University of Maine Cooperative Extension is offering a 3-hour workshop on Read More »
Maine Department of Education Seeks Farmers and Food Producers
The Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition Program is excited to announce the launch of Maine’s Harvest of the Month (HOM) Program, piloting in Spring of 2019. The program is a nationwide marketing campaign promoting the use of seasonally available, local products in schools, institutions, Read More »
Comment Period Opens for Proposed Rule to Amend the National List for Crops + Handling
On February 15, 2019, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances for crops and handling based on April 2018 recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board. This proposed rule Read More »