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 »
NOP News and Updates
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 »
National Organic Standards Board Spring Meeting Logistics
Based on input from the National Organic Standards Board (Board) and members of the organic community, the Board’s Spring 2021 Meeting will be held live online, instead of in-person. This allows the Board to safely deliberate in an open and public setting. Online Meeting Details 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 Read More »
NOP Issues Final Amendment to National List
On December 26, 2018, the NOP published a final rule that amends the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. Please see below for a brief summary, and contact your Certification Specialist for more information or if you have questions. IMPLEMENTATION: The rule will be fully implemented on January Read More »
NOP Issues Extension of Allowance of Paper Pots
Nop Issues Extension Of Allowance Of Paper Pots In Organic Production On Monday, November 5, MCS and all NOP-accredited certifiers were informed that the NOP has extended the use and allowance period for paper pots, originally scheduled for prohibition at the end of the growing Read More »
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meets October 24 – 26th
The NOSB will meet in St. Paul, MN from Weds, October 24 – Fri, October 26, 2018 to discuss substances petitioned for addition to or deletion from the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List), substances due to sunset from the National List 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 »
New Guides for Organic Operations
To describe the relevant organic requirements, provide best practices, and further explain the certification process, ATTRA has partnered with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to provide the following detailed guides, which provide helpful information for both beginning farmers and current organic operations looking to Read More »