As the demand for organic food and products in the United States has grown dramatically over the last 10 years, so has the complexity of organic supply chains. The supply chain, domestically and internationally, now involves a series of complex transactions with businesses that grow, handle, Read More »
News Archive
More time proposed for produce water standards
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing extending compliance deadlines on Food Safety and Modernization Act (FSMA) provisions for produce water standards. Finalized in 2015, the water standards aim at keeping deadly pathogens like E. coli 0157:H7 out of water used to grow crops by Read More »
Mainers Urged to Sign Up for Free Disposal of Unusable Pesticides
AUGUSTA— This October, the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s (DACF) Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) will team up with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to help Mainers dispose of unusable and waste pesticides. The Obsolete Pesticides Collection Program, jointly sponsored by Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Spring 2017
The spring Organic Sprout is here! Certified producers will receive a copy in the mail, but you can read it online right now. Read More »
MCS Staff Announcement
Katy Green has joined MCS as a full time staff inspector and materials reviewer, and is replacing our outgoing staff inspector, Jake Galle. Katy has worked for MOFGA since 2008, primarily helping farmers and processors transition to organic production. This work has allowed Katy to Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Fall 2016 Edition
The Sprout is out and full of noteworthy content and relevant issues including MCS reaching its milestone of certifying over 500 producers in 2016. Certified producers will receive a copy in the mail, but you can read it online here right now. Read More »
MOFGA Certifies More than 500 Organic Producers
The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) is excited to announce that as of August 2016, Maine has more than 500 certified organic farms and processors, according to MOFGA Certification Services LLC (MCS). About 464 farms (some of which are involved in processing as Read More »
The Organic Sprout is Back – Spring 2016 Issue
After a 3 year hiatus, The Organic Sprout, MOFGA’s Newsletter for Organic Producers, is back with the Spring 2016 issue. If you haven’t yet received your copy in the mail, you can read and download the PDF here. Read More »
Good information available from MOFGA’s Ag Services
Pest reports….If you grow crops, you’ll want to check out Eric Sideman’s pest reports. Tomato & potato growers, we hope you are dodging late blight this season. Price reports…Heather Omand’s summer price report can be found here. If you value this information, consider contributing to Read More »
22 April 14 Field Notes-Maple Syrup
Jerome Rigot and I just returned from the last of the maple syrup inspections in the north woods of Somerset County, Maine. In order to access these sugar camps, located in the unorganized territory of Seboomook Lake, we stay in St. Georges, Quebec, and Read More »
One-Stop Shop for Organics
Looking for USDA programs and services that support the growing organic sector? USDA has created a centralized web resource center containing all their programs, services, and data. The new site gives access to: Conservation programs, flexible microloans, and other financial resources for farmers and ranchers. Read More »