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Written by Peter Nell on Monday, April 13, 2020

USDA is accepting nominations for National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) members. The deadline to submit nominations is June 1, 2020.

Nominations must include a resume, an AD-755 Application form, and may also include a cover letter and references. Nominees must meet the criteria of NOSB membership, which includes having a general understanding of organic principles, practical experience in the organic community, demonstrated experience in the development of public policy, participation in standard development, and more.

To apply, submit the application materials…

Written by Guest Blogger on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

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“We Are Essential” is a blog series that explores how the organic community is navigating the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Our farms, ranches, and businesses deliver truly essential services, staying open and in the field to provide nutritious food to our communities. Each week, we will share a new story that highlights how organic is critical to the global response. We…

Written by Adrian Fischer on Tuesday, April 7, 2020

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Want to take your farm forward and transition to organic? Maybe you’re already practicing organic methods and need that final incentive to get certified. Now is your chance to lessen the financial challenge of transition—apply for a $5,000 grant to help you make the transition to organic. 

Organic agriculture…

Written by Jessy Beckett Parr on Monday, March 30, 2020

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With the advent of shelter-in-place orders across the United States, many may be looking for new ways to access fresh produce.

CCOF’s online member directory allows you to search for organic farmers in your area. CCOF members are hard at work this spring, planting and harvesting healthy organic produce. Many are needing to…

Written by Rachel Witte on Monday, March 30, 2020

As communities come together to build resilience in this deeply challenging time, CCOF is compiling resources that support our members and the organic community. Visit our Crisis Resilience Resources webpage for links to helpful resources for organic businesses. Check back regularly, as we’ll be updating this page with new resources as we learn about them. 

We are working with partners, allies, and other organizations to gather useful information for the community. You can help by sharing links to additional resources by emailing policy@ccof.org. 

Share with us how COVID-19…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 30, 2020

Note: This post was written on March 26, 2020. On March 27, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the bill and it was signed into law by the President.

As farmers and communities all across the country continue to deal with the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Congress has been working around the clock to pass another round of emergency aid, this time targeted at small businesses and those who have lost income as a result of the crisis (including farmers), as well as boosting our medical capacity to respond. 

Just before midnight on Wednesday, the Senate…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 30, 2020

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) provides grants, capped at $100,000, for over 25 practices that boost soil health. Eligible practices include cover crops, compost application, prescribed grazing, planting of hedgerows, mulch, reduced tillage, and more. For the full list of eligible practices, see the CDFA Request for Grant Applications. 

The Healthy Soils Program has been streamlined and it’s now easier and less time-consuming to apply. There is a record amount of funding this year—a total of more than $25 million— and we expect a drop in funding next year…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 23, 2020

California officials issued guidance regarding retail food, beverage, and other service venues. These venues bring people from multiple communities into close contact with each other and have the potential to increase the transmission of COVID-19.

“These are aggressive, but necessary actions to protect our communities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “We all have a role to play when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19. These establishments that are remaining open should think creatively about how they can continue to provide services to the community. Shifting operations to…

Written by Peter Nell on Monday, March 23, 2020

The deadlines to submit public comments and register for oral comments to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) at their spring meeting are approaching! It is critical that members of the organic community submit public comments on the substances up for re-listing or removal from the National List of Allowed & Prohibited Substances (National List) and the other NOSB agenda items. 

The National Organic Program recently announced that the spring 2020 meeting will be held remotely. CCOF will share more details as they are announced. 

The following substances are up…

Written by Guest Blogger on Monday, March 23, 2020

OTA Farmstead Membership

Join us in our efforts to promote and protect organic agriculture! CCOF members may be eligible for the $50 Farmstead Membership in the Organic Trade Association. Farmstead Members have direct access to Organic Trade Association resources and full voting rights.

The Farmstead Membership is reserved for reserved for small organic farmers with…

Written by Kelly Damewood on Monday, March 16, 2020
La oficina de CCOF en Santa Cruz, California, está temporalmente cerrada, con vigencia inmediata. El personal de CCOF seguirá trabajando desde sus hogares.

De acuerdo con las recomendaciones de contención y cuarentena de la Enfermedad por Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) y el Departamento de Salud Pública de California, la oficina de CCOF en Santa Cruz, California, se cerrará de inmediato para ayudar a mantener nuestro personal y la comunidad a salvo del COVID-19.

El personal trabajará desde casa mientras la oficina…

Written by Kelly Damewood on Monday, March 16, 2020
The CCOF office in Santa Cruz, California is temporarily closed to the public, effective immediately. CCOF staff will still be working from their homes.

In line with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) containment and quarantine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and California Department of Public Health, the CCOF office in Santa Cruz, California will be closed to the public effective immediately to help keep our staff and community save from COVID-19. 

Staff will be working from home while the physical office is closed to the public. Please…

Written by Shawna Rodgers on Monday, March 16, 2020

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Tommy Martino, Bob Quinn and Liz Carlisle (left) on the Grain by Grain book tour 2019.

As an organic farmer at home in Montana of over 30 years, I see firsthand the bounty created from tending to the land in an organic manner. Butterflies, bees, ladybugs, birds, and countless other…

Written by Adrian Fischer on Monday, March 16, 2020

Transitioning more land to organic production is key to tackling some of the major issues facing us today. Organic farming helps build climate change resilience, fosters economic security, and improves health inequities. As part of a broader effort to increase organic farming, CCOF has partnered with Anheuser Busch and their Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold Contract for Change program to provide financial support for farmers during the critical phase of transitioning to organic. 

Want to take your farm forward and transition to organic? Maybe you’re already practicing organic methods and…

Written by Peter Nell on Monday, March 16, 2020

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) will host their first yearly meeting in Arlington, Virginia April 29-May 1, 2020.

Organic stakeholders can register now to speak at a pre-meeting webinar and at the meeting in Virginia. The board will be discussing many topics at the meeting, including Sunset Reviews, materials petitions, discussion documents, and proposals. 

The NOSB will host two webinars on April 21, 2020 and April 23, 2020 from 1:00–4:00 p.m. Eastern. Those interested in the webinar must register before April 3, 2020. Commenters are allotted a 3-minute comment…