NFU Organic Forum chair Andrew Burgess talks about his journey towards becoming an organic farmer. Why do I farm organically? It’s been quite the journey to get to this point.I am from a hardcore vegetable growing background and was brought up in farming in the 1970s and 80s, where the advice given by ADAS (then a government agency) was to spray everything. Whilst at agricultural college I spent time working for another vegetable company, after which I farmed my way around Australia for a year. Hannaford Supermarkets has become the first supermarket to join a major effort to support organic dairy farms facing challenges in New England and New York. Fresh strawberry prices tend to exhibit strong seasonal trends in part because of their relatively short shelf life. Even being refrigerated immediately after harvest, fresh-picked strawberries last about 1 to 2 weeks, reducing the ability to store the crop and maintain a consistent supply. In the United States, grower prices for fresh organic strawberries move in tandem with conventional strawberry prices throughout the year while also typically running 40 to 50 percent higher than conventional prices—this difference is known as a “price premium.” In this week’s Field Report, the organic industry fights back against Congressional efforts to halt the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards, the global food system is moving in the wrong direction on hunger and climate, and more. The national meeting of NOSB happens twice a year. The transparent process of a stakeholder board of farmers, consumers, environmentalists, a scientist, retailer, and certifier get together as members of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and vote on allowable materials and standards in organic agriculture. This Congressionally mandated board has authorities not often given to people outside of government—authorities to determine what should be allowed in organic food production, under assessments of synthetic and natural substances. And the underlying law that makes this happen, the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), stipulates that the Secretary of Agriculture may not allow synthetic and prohibited natural materials unless they are recommended by the NOSB.
Hannaford to join Northeast Organic Family Farm Partnership
Hannaford Supermarkets has become the first supermarket to join a major effort to support organic dairy farms facing challenges in New England and New York.
https://www.supermarketnews.com/dairy/hannaford-join-northeast-organic-family-farm-partnership
Organic strawberries bring growers higher prices than conventional berries
Fresh strawberry prices tend to exhibit strong seasonal trends in part because of their relatively short shelf life. Even being refrigerated immediately after harvest, fresh-picked strawberries last about 1 to 2 weeks, reducing the ability to store the crop and maintain a consistent supply. In the United States, grower prices for fresh organic strawberries move in tandem with conventional strawberry prices throughout the year while also typically running 40 to 50 percent higher than conventional prices—this difference is known as a “price premium.”
https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=107483
GOP Lawmakers Move to Block New Animal Welfare Standards in Organic
In this week’s Field Report, the organic industry fights back against Congressional efforts to halt the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards, the global food system is moving in the wrong direction on hunger and climate, and more.
‘Why do I farm organically?’
Hear from NFU Organic Forum chair Andrew Burgess as he talks about his journey towards becoming an organic farmer. Why do I farm organically? It’s been quite the journey to get to this point.I am from a hardcore vegetable growing background and was brought up in farming in the 1970s and 80s, where the advice given by ADAS (then a government agency) was to spray everything. Whilst at agricultural college I spent time working for another vegetable company, after which I farmed my way around Australia for a year.
https://www.nfuonline.com/updates-and-information/andrew-burgess-why-i-farm-organically/
Take Action: Organic Integrity on the Agenda of Upcoming USDA Meeting
It happens twice a year. The transparent process of a stakeholder board of farmers, consumers, environmentalists, a scientist, retailer, and certifier get together as members of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and vote on allowable materials and standards in organic agriculture. This Congressionally mandated board has authorities not often given to people outside of government—authorities to determine what should be allowed in organic food production, under assessments of synthetic and natural substances. And the underlying law that makes this happen, the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA), stipulates that the Secretary of Agriculture may not allow synthetic and prohibited natural materials unless they are recommended by the NOSB.
