Four trends driving growth in organic
Going organic is not exactly cheap or easy for food and beverage manufacturers, but the size of the prize may be worth it. A panel of experts laid out the business case for transitioning to organic during a presentation at Natural Products Expo West, held March 10-13 in Anaheim.
Canada Organic Trade Association Appoints Executive Director
The Canada Organic Trade Association's Board of Directors is pleased to announce it has appointed Tia Loftsgard as Executive Director of the association, effective March 21, 2016.
Organic Sector Pleased With New and Improved Canada/EU Organic Equivalency
After five years of ongoing negotiations, the European Union Regulatory Committee on Organic Production has voted on March 2nd on the expansion of the current scope of the Canada-EU Organic Equivalency Arrangement. Process products with imported ingredients certified in accordance with Canada's organic legislation will now be cover under the agreement.
USDA Financial Assistance Available to Help Organic Farmers Create Conservation Buffers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced its intent to assist organic farmers with the cost of establishing up to 20,000 acres of new conservation buffers and other practices on and near farms that produce organic crops.
Organic checkoff proposal takes novel approach
When it comes to checkoffs, the proposed organic one isn’t just the new kid on the block. It’s more like the alien who landed in the middle of the block.
USDA adds insurance options for transitional organic crops
Growers in the three-year transition period from conventional to organic production methods have new crop insurance options from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Organic ag ready for its close up
Interest in organic farming swells, state Ag Dept. seeks more inspectors to keep up
Interest in organic farming is ballooning in Idaho, to the point that the state Department of Agriculture is seeking to up its staffing from three inspectors to five, with one of them coming on board right away. “We don’t have much choice – we had to get going on it,” said state Ag Director Celia Gould. “It’s a big deal.”
40 years of science: Organic ag key to feeding the world
Washington State University researchers have concluded that feeding a growing global population with sustainability goals in mind is possible. Their review of hundreds of published studies provides evidence that organic farming can produce sufficient yields, be profitable for farmers, protect and improve the environment and be safer for farm workers.
Upper Midwest farmers transitioning to organic can get aid
North Dakota and Minnesota are helping farmers with the three-year transition from traditional crops to organic production, an effort that the industry's main trade group says could boost the acreage of organically grown crops in the U.S. if it takes root beyond the upper Midwest.
