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AnnouncementFebruary 17, 2015

 

 

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and National Organic Program (NOP) are pleased to announce an update to the NOP Handbook. We also remind you about a February 18 webinar, and announce two new blog articles. 
    

NOP Instruction Update:
Reinstating Suspended Operations

The NOP has updated "NOP 2605: Instruction on Reinstating Suspended Operations." The updated Instruction describes procedures that certifiers and operations follow when  requesting certification reinstatement, and provides the decision-making criteria that NOP uses to evaluate reinstatement requests. 

 

Updated Instruction NOP 2605:
Reinstating Suspended Operations

 

New NRCS Webinar on Conservation Activity Plans: February 18

 On February 18, the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will host a webinar to introduce the "NRCS Conservation Plan: Supporting Organic Transition," also called the Conservation Activity Plan (CAP) 138. With the NRCS Conservation Plan, farmers transitioning to organic production, or organic farmers transitioning new land to organic production, can apply for financial and technical assistance to implement conservation practices. 

 

Join the webinar on Wednesday, February 18, 2015, 3:00 PM Eastern Time to learn about the newly revised NRCS CAP 138. This tool supports new and certified producers by addressing natural resource concerns as they transition their land to organic production.

 
To participate, visit: 
Conservation Activity Plan Webinar 

 
New USDA Blogs: Visiting the Montana Organic Association & 100 Years of Market News

Here are two new USDA blog articles of interest to the organic community:

 

Montana Organic Association Focuses on the Benefits of Organic Business: Learn about the USDA Organic Policy Advisor's visit at the Montana Organic Association's annual meeting

 

100 Years of USDA Market News: Learn more about the history of AMS Market News

        

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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