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AnnouncementMarch 6, 2014
Greetings!

 

In this Insider, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) points you to a recent memo we sent to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), reminds you to complete the Organic Market News Survey by March 15, and points to a new resource for organic producers.

    

National Organic Standards Board Training

On February 4-5, AMS and the National Organic Program (NOP) held training for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) in Washington, DC.  NOSB members represent all segments of the organic community, come from all parts of the United States, and bring diverse perspectives and interests.   

Topics covered at the training included: The Organic Foods Production Act, Federal Advisory Committee Act, revised sunset process, rulemaking life cycle, best practices for developing recommendations, and annual ethics and conflict of interest refresher training.   

The NOP has sent a memo to the NOSB to summarize key themes from the training.  Training slides are available on the NOP website; visit the  NOSB Meetings page and select the February 4-5, 2014 - Training from the drop-down menu.

Reminder: Organic Market News Survey Due March 15, 2014

How do you and your stakeholders use organic Market News reports?  On February 1, USDA sent a survey and welcome letter from AMS Administrator Alonzo to approximately 12,000 self-identified organic producers in 3 categories:  

  • Certified organic
  • Farmers and ranchers exempt from certification (gross organic sales not exceeding $5,000 per year).
  • Farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic production. 

The deadline for submitting completed surveys is March 15, 2014.

 

Through the survey, we will learn how organic producers: get market information, price and market products, and use information available from Market News.  AMS Market News will make the results public, and use the data to enhance organic market coverage for the benefit of organic producers, handlers and consumers nationwide.  The survey was developed in partnership with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

 

Questions?  Contact Terry Long, Director of Fruit and Vegetable Market News or call 202-720-2175

 

About Market News: AMS Market News provides reports on prices, volume, quality, condition, and other market data on organic and conventional farm products in specific markets and marketing areas. Access Market News Reports.  
 
Vegetable Grower's Guide to Organic Certification

The National Young Farmers Coalition offers a new guide for farmers that is designed to describe organic certification and help beginning farmers decide if certification is right for them.  The Vegetable Grower's Guide to Organic Certification is meant for vegetable farmers who embrace the philosophy of organic agriculture, but aren't certified.

This resource includes:

  • A history of organic certification
  • An overview of certification
  • A guide with practical tools and examples
  • An appendix with further reading and sources for seeds and materials
You may download a free copy or purchase a hard copy of the guide at the National Young Farmers Coalition website.
 
About the Agricultural Marketing Service

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.

About the USDA Organic Insider

The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.

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