The Organic Sprout

Fall 2021
- Impacts of Covid-19 on Our Food System
- New Fees: Costs of MCS Administration and Online Portal
- Hemp Update
- Cattle Corner: Dairy Bull Calves
- Methionine Use in Poultry Production – A Policy Piece
Spring 2021
- Your 2021 Inspection – What to Expect and How to Prepare
- Federal Organic Cost Share Update
- Obtaining Organic Certificates for Purchased Products
- Organic Categories for Processed Products
Fall 2020
- USDA National Organic Program Proposes New Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule (SOE): What MCS Certified Organic Operations Need to Know
- The 2020 Drought and Organic Pasture Rule Variance
- Pushing the Pivot – How Mediation Can Help Prevent a Crisis
- Cattle Corner – Organic Hayfield Fertility: Availability of hen manure and wood ash
- Dear Certification Specialist: Requirements regarding seed purchases
Spring 2020
- Organic Certification During Covid-19
- MOFGA’s Primary Covid-19 Resource Document for Farmers
- Wash & Pack Basic Design
- Sanitizers, Organic Production & Covid-19
- Dear Certification Specialist – Composting
Fall 2019
- Interim Final Rule Released for Domestic Hemp Production
- Dairy Origin of Livestock Rule
- Record Keeping for Certified Organic Livestock Producers
- Bio-Based and Compostable Plastics
- Ensuring Organic Integrity via Traceability and Mass Balance Audits
- Dear Certification Specialist – Oh Deer!
Spring 2019
- Record Keeping for Certified Crop Producers – Part 2
- Pesticide Residue Testing
- MOFGA Business Services for Certified Producers
- Cattle Corner + Disbudding Training
- Hemp Update
- FSMA Recap
- Protecting Your Farm in a Crisis
- Dear Certification Specialist – Organic Claims
Fall 2018
- Record Keeping for Certified Organic Producers – Part 1
- International Import and Export of Organic Products
- FSMA Trainings and Resources for Farmers
- Cattle Corner: Traceable Paperwork for Cattle Purchases
- Organic Certificates and Your Inspection
- Dear Certification Specialist – Buffers!
Spring 2018
- MCS Client Survey
- FSMA Resources for Farmers
- “No Spray” Agreements
- Non-GMO and Organic Labeling
- Inspection Review: Announced and Unannounced
- Cattle Corner: Livestock Auction Certificates
Fall 2017
- Potable Water Usage and Requirements
- Representative Pingree on Organic Integrity – CGCF Speech
- Cattle Corner: Verifying Organic Dairy Slaughter Eligibility
- NOSB Meeting – October 2017
- Use of Billboard Tarps on Organic Farms
Spring 2017
- Animal Welfare Rule: Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Standard
- Understanding Material Product Review
- Cattle Corner: NPE Free
- Role of the Inspector in the Certifying Process
Fall 2016
- Treated Lumber Guidelines
- 2016 Drought and Variances
- Cattle Corner
- Certifying Cultivated Mushrooms
Spring 2016
- Proposed Changes to Livestock and Poultry Practices
- What Is Ketosis?
- Sanitizing Food Contact Surfaces
- Rotation Requirements
- Product Label Review
- Dear Certification Specialist – Rodent Issues
Spring 2013
- Sound & Sensible Certification
- Update on the FSMA
- Harvest Records
- Preparing for the Annual Inspection
Late Summer 2013
- Parasite Control
- Winter Outdoor Access
- Kelp
Winter 2013
- Understanding Mass Balance
- MCS 2012 USDA Audit
- Livestock Enterprise Budgets
- National Organic News
- Financing Your Farm Project 2013
Summer 2012
- Fall Cover Crops
- Tips on Safe Home Canning
- National List Changes to Pectin & Yeast
Spring 2012
- Organic Fruits & Vegetables….Superfoods?
- Biodegradable Plastic
- Lot Number Primer
- MOFGA’s Ag Services Dept.
- New Rules for Meat & Poultry Labeling
- Record Keeping for Crop Farms
- Weathering a Food Safety Recall
Winter 2012
- Organic Seed Search
- Organic Price Reports
- Evaluating Livestock Inputs
- 2011 An Average Year
Summer 2011
- Coming Clean on Sanitizers
- Wildcrafting
- Pasture Rule Misunderstandings
- Organic Control Points
- Crop Inputs
- Livestock Material Review