“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it..” ~Edith Wharton
Featured Topic
Participating in the seventh annual Organic Grower Summit on December 5 in Monterey, California was an inspiring celebration of the boundless potential and bright future of organic agriculture. Attracting hundreds of passionate attendees, the event embodied a shared vision of growth and resilience.
USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross delivered keynote addresses that radiated confidence in the sector. “This is one of the most exciting eras we’ve seen in agriculture in generations,” Ross declared, tying the movement to regenerative practices and California’s Healthy Soils Week. She highlighted innovative efforts to recycle nutrients, conserve resources, and build climate resilience, underscoring the vital role farmers play in shaping a sustainable future.
Moffitt pointed to globalization as both a challenge and an opportunity, with year-round organic access opening new markets. She celebrated the USDA’s strengthened certification standards and the $300 million Organic Transition Initiative, which has ushered in over 18,000 newly certified organic acres.
Moderating a panel on Strengthening Organic Enforcement alongside luminaries like Dr. Jennifer Tucker of the National Organic Program was an honor. What resonated most, though, was the collective passion and hope in the room. Farming is an act of courage and optimism, and this summit reaffirmed that the organic sector is not just growing, but leading the way forward. Come dig in with us!
John Foster, COO, brings deep and broad experience in the organic sector and especially relishes working with clients’ innovative ideas and long-term strategic initiatives that benefit their business and the planet.
Inside the Beltway
Mooo-ving More Organic Milk Into Schools
Funded by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), the new Organic Dairy Product Promotion program has $15 million to expand access to organic dairy products in educational institutions and youth programs. Through the program, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service will enter into cooperative agreements with: The University of California, Fresno; University of Tennessee; Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets; and University of Wisconsin. Each of these organizations currently leads one of the four Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, and will develop region-specific projects to distribute organic dairy products to K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and other youth-focused programs and institutions.
The Survey Says…
Composting Coffee Waste Cuts Emissions
How do coffee-growing methods change the carbon footprint for smallholders? Using Life Cycle Assessment methodology, researchers in Peru studying certified organic farms and those not yet certified found that composting organic residues, such as coffee pulp, and using them on site offered the best outcome. Overall, the carbon footprint from green coffee production in the study participants averaged 0.90 kg CO2e, with most of the emissions (59%) from the cultivation and harvesting stages. The main source of greenhouse gas emissions is the use of fertilizers.
If you have questions about the organic coffee and coffee waste stream development, please reach out to Wolf & Associates’ own Peter Kettler.
Study Sheds Light On Carbon Sequestration on Organic Farms
Researchers at Kansas State University may have unlocked the secret to organic soil’s carbon sequestration: Carbon is preserved in pores, and some carbon is attached to minerals in the soil. Researchers used ultrabright synchrotron light to examine soil without breaking it up. Published in the Soil Science Society of America Journal, the study confirms that soil treated with manure or compost fertilizer stores more carbon that soil treated with chemical fertilizer or no fertilizer.
Plant Biodiversity On Organic Farms Builds Over Time
How long does it take for farms to recover biodiversity after switching to organic methods? Decades, according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Ecology. Researchers looked at 88 fields on 30 farms in southern Sweden, and found that after 30 years the number of arable plant species had more than doubled on the organic farms, from 15 plant species on average to 35. In cereal fields that transitioned from conventional agriculture, plants sensitive to herbicides took to longer to return.
Fewer Than 30% of Shoppers Familiar With Regenerative Agriculture
A survey by Purdue University’s Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability found that 43% of consumers are report they are “not at all familiar” and 28% are “slightly familiar” with the term “regenerative agriculture.” Taste and affordability topped the attributes most important to consumers when they buy food.
Northeast States Grow Organic, Too
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, the Northeast states (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania) sold $1.2 billion in organic products. Several states had significant increases in sales since 2017, including New Jersey (up 193%), Rhode Island (up $103%) and Maryland (up 68%). Of the 243 counties in Northeast states, 44% (107 counties) sold $1 million or more in organic products. Nationwide, organic sales were up 32% from 2017-2022.
International News
Mexico Protects Animals in Constitution
Amendments to three articles of Mexico’s Constitution pave the way for Congress to create federal legislation for animal welfare, including the welfare of livestock. More.
Organic Industry News & Notices
Penn State Researchers to Study Weed Control for Organic Farms
USDA granted researchers at Penn State University $1 million to to investigate anaerobic soil disinfestation, a microbial-driven process to manage weeds. The method incorporates easily decomposable organic amendments into the soil, followed by irrigation to saturation and covering the soil with impermeable plastic, creating anaerobic conditions that suppress weeds. Organic farmers cite organic weed control as one of their biggest farming challenges. The grant is part of $121 million dedicated to extension and research for specialty and organic agriculture.
OMRI Updates Canada Standards Manual
A new Microorganisms category is one of the updates in the Organic Materials Review Institute Canada Standards Manual, which has been revised to the Canada Organic Regime standards.
Chlorine Livestock Water Treatments Outside OMRI Scope
Because there is not regulatory clarity about whether or not chlorine-based livestock drinking water treatments are allowed in organic production, the Organic Materials Review Organization will no longer accept applications for products containing chlorine and intended for addition to livestock drinking water sources. This is one of six issues they consider outside of their scope.
MOFGA Becomes First Organic Certifier to Unionize
Employees at the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) and MOFGA Certification Services (MCS) have formed a union with Maine Service Employees Association (MSEA-SEIU Local 1989). The board and MCS management committee voted unanimously to recognize the two employee bargaining units.
Organic Community
IFOAM Elects World Board
Congratulations to the newly-elected World Board for IFOAM-Organics International:
- Julia Lernoud (Argentina)
- Paul Holmbeck (Denmark)
- Karen Mapusua (Fiji)
- Marco Schlüter (Germany)
- Choitresh Ganguly (India)
- Shamika Mone (India)
- Huei-Wen (Mag) Chin (Taiwan)
- Edgardo Boyet Uychiat (The Philippines)
- Sarah Compson (United Kingdom)
- Amber Sciligo (USA)
At IFOAM’s recent World Congress, the General Assembly also selected the host for the next Organic World Congress in 2027—Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Employment Opportunities
- Organic Trade Association seeks a Head of Government Affairs.
- Organic Farming Research Foundation is hiring a Policy/Advocacy Fellow.
- Rodale Institute seeks a Director of Education.
- Lundberg Family Farms has multiple openings, including Food Safety Quality Manager, Director of Customer Marketing, and Quality Manager-Supplier Compliance.
- The Synergy Company is looking for a Director of Quality
Eco-Farm Keynotes Highlight Diversity and Indigenous Voices
The EcoFarm conference, to be held January 22-25 in Pacific Grove, California, will featuring a highly diverse group of presenters at over 60 workshops, keynotes and events. Registration is open, and save $100 if you sign up before December 13.
Organic Seed Growers Conference Coming!
The Organic Seed Alliance will host its 2025 Organic Seed Growers Conference February 26 to March 1, 2025. Events are in person in Corvallis Oregon, or virtual through Zoom, and the conference has a sliding scale registration to enhance accessibility. Our COO John Foster serves as the treasurer of the Organic Seed Alliance Board.
Join Us at Organicology 2025! Special Offer for Wolf & Associates Partners
Wolf & Associates has proudly supported the Organicology conference since 2009, and we’re excited to sponsor their first conference since 2019. Organicology is more than just a gathering—it’s a powerful event that brings together advocates, contributors, and innovators from across the organic trade. Together, we work to revolutionize food, agriculture, and economic models to create a better, more sustainable future.
The conference will be held March 12-14, 2025 in Portland, Oregon, and we would love for you to join us. As a valued part of our community, we’re offering an exclusive Wolf & Associates 30% discount on your registration fee. Use our custom code WOLF30 at checkout or follow this link to have the discount pre-loaded for you.
Attending Organicology offers so many benefits, from connecting with industry leaders to gaining insights into the latest organic trends and innovations. Wolf & Associates values this event for its commitment to pushing the organic industry forward, and we’re excited to share this opportunity with you.
We hope to see you there as we continue to support and shape the future of organic together.