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 withdraw the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule (OLPP), which…

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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 would allow: Elemental sulfur to be used as a slug…

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Uncertainty Prevails as the Partial Government Shutdown Continues

From the National Organic Coalition (NOC). The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) remains closed as the government shutdown continues for a fifth week and the NOP has canceled its annual certifier training, which was scheduled for January 29 in Greenville, South Carolina. The training provides critical information pertaining to organic standards and their enforcement to…

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Winter Regional Growers Meetings Scheduled for February 2019

You’re Invited! Winter Regional Grower Meetings – Four Locations in Maine Southern Maine: February 14th, York County Extension Office, Springvale, ME Maine Highlands: February 16, Sangerville Grange, ME Downeast: February 27th, Ellsworth City Hall, Ellsworth, ME Aroostook County: February 28th, Littleton Snowmobile Club, Littleton, ME Approximate timing of events will be from 10:00 am – 3:00…

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