The Spring 2020 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 Organic Certification During the COVID-19 Pandemic, MOFGA Certified Organic promotion extension, Wash Read More »
News Archive
USDA Supports Specialty Crops Producers with Direct Payments for Losses Due to COVID-19
WASHINGTON, May 19, 2020 – As part of the Coronavirus Farm Assistance Program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that it will provide up to $2.1 billion in direct payments to specialty crops producers. The payments will be based on losses where prices and Read More »
Two Maine organizations collaborate to launch emergency grants for Maine farms
Maine Farmland Trust (MFT) and the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) are introducing new Maine Farm Emergency Grants to assist farmers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. A recent survey conducted by the Beginning Farmer Resource Network of Maine indicates farmers and food producers Read More »
Interim Guidance for Essential Agriculture Businesses
The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry has developed interim guidelines to help answer owner and employee questions about essential agriculture, horticulture, and animal care operations. The department’s website, containing a broad range of COVID-19 resources, is available here: https://www.maine.gov/dacf/covid19/ and includes a wealth of Read More »
USDA, DEA Provide Options for Labs, Disposal of Non-Compliant Hemp Plants
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the delay of enforcement of certain requirements under the interim final rule (IFR) establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. Under the new guidance, USDA will delay enforcement of the requirement for labs to Read More »
Farmers’ Guide to Applying for the USDA Value-Added Producer Grant Program
The National Sustainable Agricultural Coalition (NSAC) has published a comprehensive guide for the 2019-2020 Grant Cycle. Program Basics The Value-Added Producer Grant program (VAPG), a subprogram of the Local Agriculture Market program (LAMP), provides grants, awarded on a competitive basis, to individual independent agricultural producers, Read More »
MOFGA Regional Grower Meetings 2020
Join us from 10am – 2pm for a day of connection with growers and service providers in your region, MOFGA Certification updates and education from MOFGA Farmer Programs! Catered lunch included. DOWNEAST – February 5, Cobscook Community Learning Center, Trescott Twp CENTRAL – February 14, Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Fall 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 the interim final rule for domestic hemp production, record keeping for organic Read More »
Federal Register Publishes Interim Final Rule Establishing the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program
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 »
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 »