general organic

Ag Order Workshops Offered for Growers in Central Coast Region

Beginning January 1, 2023, all growers with ranches located in Groundwater Phase 1 Areas must start maintaining records for all nitrogen applied to crops, total nitrogen removed during harvest, and irrigation management information. This information will be used to submit the Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan (INMP) summary report, which is due March 1, 2024.

UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology Officially Recognized as an Agricultural Experiment Station

Underscoring more than a half century of pioneering work in organic farming, University of California President Michael V. Drake announced today that UC Santa Cruz will be designated as an Agricultural Experiment Station (AES). 

UC Santa Cruz and UC Merced are the first campuses to receive this designation in 50 years and join UC Davis, UC Berkeley, and UC Riverside as AES campuses. 

CCOF To Lead Discussion on Regenerative Agriculture at Organic Grower Summit

As regenerative agriculture is reshaping how food is grown, a panel of organic industry leaders will address the trends and standards of regenerative organic marketing and certification at the Organic Grower Summit 2022, presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network (OPN), slated for November 30–December 1 in Monterey, California.

Bagrada Bug Natural Enemy Found; Research Sites Sought

Dr. Brian Hogg at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service based in Albany, California, is seeking sites for research on a parasitic wasp that his team recently discovered attacking bagrada bug eggs in California. 

The wasp can attack eggs in soil, where the bagrada bug lays most of its eggs, and is almost certainly helping to control bagrada bug. The wasp develops within bagrada bug eggs and is quite tiny. 

USDA Announces Historic $300 Million Plan to Support Current & Transitioning Organic Farmers

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the details of a $300 million investment to support organic and transitioning farmers, and to address targeted organic market challenges. The Organic Transition Initiative is consistent with many recommendations made to USDA by the National Organic Coalition (NOC) to increase support for organic agriculture to help build a more ecologically sound, resilient, and climate-friendly food and farm system.

Organic Certification Cost Share Is Back! Get a Refund of Your Organic Certification Fees

The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program is now open for 2022 applications!

All currently certified organic entities in the United States are eligible to apply for a refund of 50% of their certification-related costs, including inspection fees, up to a maximum of $500 per certification or certified scope between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. Eligible scopes are crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling. Operations located in California can also receive a refund of their State Organic Program registration fees. 

CCOF Presenting at University of California, Davis OIV Wine Marketing Program

The 2022 University of California, Davis OIV Wine Marketing Program kicks off next month and runs from July 18 through 22. The program is open to all as part of the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin, which is part of the M.Sc. in Wine Management at UC Davis. Learn from industry experts how to successfully create a brand and market and sell wine in the United States. Come join us online on July 19 to hear what CCOF Director of Handler Certification Sarah Reed has to say about USDA-certified organic wines.

End of U.S.–India Recognition Arrangement

The USDA has ended the U.S.–India Recognition Arrangement. After July 12, 2022, all imports from India to be represented as organic in the United States must be purchased from suppliers who have been granted certification with a USDA-accredited certifier. The United States will no longer accept certification granted by APEDA-accredited certifiers.

If you source organic products or ingredients from India, visit the Organic Integrity Database to verify your supplier's status as certified.