Happy New Year! As it reflects on its 2012 accomplishments, the National Organic Program (NOP) is looking ahead to a productive 2013. 

The NOP would also like to highlight the Organic Seed Finder, a database launched by the Association of Official Seed Certifying Agencies (AOSCA). 

This past year, the NOP made many enhancements to better meet its vision, including:

• Strengthening residue testing requirements, which will increase consumer confidence in organic products. 
• Establishing a trade partnership with the European Union, which has streamlined trade between the two largest organic markets in the world. 
• Launching the Organic Literacy Initiative, a USDA-wide training and outreach effort to better connect organic operations with USDA resources. 
• Protecting organic integrity through investigations and enforcement, which led to over $120,000 in civil penalties for violations of the USDA organic regulations. 
• Implementing several National Organic Standards Board recommendations, which addressed over 200 National List substances and provided guidance and instructions on multiple topics. 

View full NOP Organic Insider Archive  

In 2013, the NOP will continue its current activities, including:

• Ensuring rigorous and timely investigations to resolve complaints of suspected regulatory violations.
• Developing practice standards for organic aquaculture, pet food, and the origin of livestock.
• Implementing recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board.
• Overseeing and training certifying agents and trade partners to ensure that all requirements are being met.
• Helping prospective organic farmers and handlers learn about organic systems and the certification process.
• Making internal process improvements to increase efficiencies and do more with less.   
• Protecting the integrity of organic products.  

We appreciate your support while we work to provide competent, fair, and consistent oversight of the organic sector. 

Having trouble finding organic fennel seeds? The Organic Seed Finder provides reliable organic seed availability information to facilitate the growth and success of the organic seed sector.

People looking to source organic seed do not have to pay to use the database. Seed vendors pay a fee to post varieties based on annual organic seed sales.

The Organic Seed Finder   

The NOP facilitates trade and ensures integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.