Organic Trade Association is advocating for end-of-year funding from Congress
With the end of the year approaching, the ag sector is underscoring the need to prioritize the next Farm Bill, including the Organic Trade Association, which has been meeting with Congress to advocate for extension funding. Co-CEO Matthew Dillon joined RFD-TV’s own Suzanne Alexander to discuss how much of the 2018 Farm Bill was slated for organic-specific programs, their priorities for funding for three Orphan programs, and what they would like to see from Congress.
https://www.rfdtv.com/organic-trade-association-is-advocating-for-end-of-year-funding-from-congress
Going organic was ‘hell,’ but he’d never go back
Watsonville, Calif., farmer Dick Peixoto’s organic journey hasn’t been all blue sky and roses. “It’s definitely more challenging than just sitting down and scheduling spray jobs each week,” says Peixoto, who will be honored as organic Grower of the Year at the Organic Grower Summit today, Dec. 5, in Monterey. “Organic takes a lot of work.” Still, he says he would not consider going back to conventional farming.
https://www.farmprogress.com/organic-grower-summit/going-organic-was-hell-but-he-d-never-go-back
Organic Farmers Association Elects New Leadership
Organic Farmers Association, a national membership organization working to build a strong voice for certified organic farmers in order to grow a healthier planet, has announced the election of its next Governing Council and Policy Committee members. This is the fifth leadership term elected since OFA’s creation for and by organic farmers to represent their policy priorities in Washington D.C.
New European Union Organic Regulations Increase Rigor of Import Standards
A recent report published by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL) unpacks the impacts of new European Union (EU) organic regulations that are going into effect in 2025 with a “completely new set of rules for the certification of smallholder producer groups.” These regulations represent a major shift from the current “equivalence” to a “compliance” system with all EU legal requirements. The change announced almost three years ago, to provide time for transition, is intended to improve consumer trust in the organic label and eliminate a “patchwork of rules and derogations [exemptions] in place [that] did not give sufficient certainty and security” (European Commission 2017). The new EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 aims to encourage the sustainable development of organic production in the EU, guarantee fair competition for farmers and operators, prevent fraud and unfair practices, and improve consumer confidence in organic products.
CMI Orchards reports surging demand for specialty organic apples
“Consumers are willing to pay a premium for higher-flavor, specialty options, and when shoppers demand more, branded organics deliver,” said Danelle Huber, senior marketing manager.
https://www.thepacker.com/news/organic/cmi-orchards-reports-surging-demand-specialty-organic-apples
