The Fall 2022 issue of The Organic Sprout is here! You can access it and view or download a PDF from here. Contents include the NOP origin of livestock final rule, organic labeling, selling live certified organic livestock, sunset materials and much more. Remember, Read More »
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USDA Amends the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
The USDA organic regulations contain detailed requirements about how to produce and label organic products. Part of the regulations, the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), describes what can and cannot be used in organic—like what materials are allowed in organic food Read More »
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 Read More »
USDA Publishes Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy
WASHINGTON, Mar. 29, 2022 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture published the highly anticipated Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule for organic dairy. This change to the USDA organic regulations will promote a fairer and more competitive market for all organic dairy producers, by Read More »
Avian Influenza Detected in Maine
Maine Officials Respond to Avian Influenza Detected in Knox County 02/22/2022 09:32 AM EST Read the USDA APHIS press release (Feb 20) regarding this incident. *H5N1 strain presents low risk to the public, bird owners urged to take steps to prevent disease* AUGUSTA, Maine – Read More »
The Organic Sprout – Fall 2021 Issue
The Fall 2021 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 impacts of COVID-19 on our food system, changes to the MCS fee schedule and OSP points of emphasis, Read More »
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 Read More »
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 Read More »
Funding Available to Test for PFAS on your Farm
The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network – Northeast (FRSAN-NE) is a community of service providers across the Northeast region working to better support farmers through stress and connect them with stress assistance programs. A cohort of Maine service providers in the FRSAN-NE are focused Read More »
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 Read More »