Newsletter

The Holiday season is different this year, with virtual instead of in-person celebrations, and that’s just one change we’ve had to face this year. Although 2020 has brought more uncertainty and turmoil than any year in recent history, we have much to be thankful for. The resilience of the organic food supply and its verification systems were tested and strengthened. We have learned new ways to communicate and stay connected. Furthermore, I believe that we’ll see continuous improvement in organic regulations, from livestock standards to fraud prevention.

Here in Virginia, fall colors are in full swing, and, despite all the unexpected and unprecedented challenges of 2020, we do have much to be grateful for. Our office’s organic demonstration gardens are ready for winter with nitrogen-fixing cover crops. Working from home has boosted my farm harvests and enabled improved fermented food storage. In addition, my farm reminds me of how much organic operators and the public at large are learning about the connections between climate change, carbon collection, and soil care.

Change is the absolute constant in nature, and in life, and it’s especially the new normal for 2020.

We now have about 50 days to participate in the largest changes to the organic regulations in twenty years. The proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement regulatory update to the USDA National Organic Program is intended to catch us up to two decades of changes and growth in our industry…

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Proposed Rule is now available for review in advance of its posting for public comment. The most extensive update to the National Organic Program since the program was implemented, the proposed rule is designed to strengthen oversight and enforcement throughout the organic supply chain…

Effective May 30, a new equivalence arrangement between the United States and Taiwan will facilitate trade of organic products between the two countries. Covering crops, wild crops, livestock, and processed products, the arrangement is limited to organic products that have been either raised within the United States or on Taiwan, or…