MOFGA and MOFGA Certification Services Become Core Partners in USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)

MOFGA and MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) are pleased to announce that we have been chosen as a core partner and the state lead for Maine through USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is one of three focus areas by USDA to transition more agriculture to organic (generally known as the Organic Transition Initiative),…

Trademark Registration Increases Cost of Misusing the USDA Organic Seal

Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022 – – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) today announced that it has registered the USDA organic seal trademark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The USDA seal trademark is specifically described in the Organic Foods Protection Act (OFPA) and is currently protected by federal regulation.…

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 for all organic stakeholders. You can use microlearning to understand…

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 be registered by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the…

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 United States. The interim final rule governs the production of…

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…

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 28, 2019, except that the amendments for the substances ivermectin,…