The COVID-19 crisis has prompted unique responses by federal, state, and local governments. This legislative update provides a brief snapshot of some key state and federal policy areas CCOF is monitoring.
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program
The deadline for nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is quickly approaching!
USDA is seeking:
– Two individuals who own or operate an organic farming operation, or employees of such individuals
– Two individuals who represent public interest or consumer interest groups
Earlier this month the National Organic Program (NOP) announced that the upcoming National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting will be held remotely. The board will hold their meeting starting on Wednesday, April 29 and concluding on Thursday, April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To tune in, register online.
USDA is accepting nominations for National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) members. The deadline to submit nominations is June 1, 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.
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.
Tommy Martino, Bob Quinn and Liz Carlisle (left) on the Grain by Grain book tour 2019.
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.
On February 26, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree introduced the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA), an ambitious piece of legislation that proposes a path to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by 2040. The bill focuses on policy goals in the following six areas: increasing research, improving soil health, protecting existing farmland, supporting pasture-based livestock systems, boosting investments in on-farm energy initiatives, and reducing food waste.
Healthy Soils Program Requests for Applications Released
Acknowledging the many benefits of improved soil quality, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) initiated the Healthy Soils Program in 2017, which offers grants to farmers and ranchers to implement new soil-building practices on their land.