“Miracles happen everyday, change your perception of what a miracle is and you’ll see them all around you.”
~Jon Bon Jovi
Featured Topic
A Sneak Peek at NOSB Votes
The recent National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting marked what was one of the most productive and energetic sessions since we returned to post-pandemic in-person public meetings.
After years of deliberation, the Board finally moved forward on several key issues that had been stalled, including the long-awaited passage of the inerts proposal, which now heads to USDA legal for review and clarity. This milestone, along with progress on other critical topics, demonstrates the NOSB’s commitment to ensuring the integrity and future of organic standards.
We are happy to note that the Board voted 13-1 in favor of adding meloxicam to the NL for use in pain mitigation for livestock when prescribed by a veterinarian. We worked diligently with four clients to bring the petition and supporting materials to the Board over the last 18 months. We wholeheartedly believe that this was the right decision for the right reasons, the most prominent being the concern for the health and wellbeing of the animals the organic sector depends on.
What set this meeting apart was the collaboration and respect shown among the 14 members present. It was a productive and respectful discussion throughout, underscoring the shared goal of advancing the organic sector, yet members did not shy away from respectful disagreement on some issues. All in all, it was a privilege to witness this important public-private partnership in action. It was also a little bittersweet, as this meeting was the last for five dedicated board members whose contributions over the years have been invaluable. Their departure will leave a void, but their work has laid a strong foundation for the future. We sincerely thank and honor Jerry D’Amore, Wood Turner, Nate Powell-Palm, Kim Huseman, and Mindee Jeffery for their dedicated service.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to work on the key issues facing organic certification and compliance. We look forward to sharing more as the USDA reviews these developments and the impact they will have on the industry moving forward.
NOP News
National Organic Standards Board Clue Card
These proposals all passed:
- Inerts
- Meloxicam
- Carbon Dioxide
- Compost definition and practice changes
- Annotation change for DL-Methionine, DL-Methionine – hydroxy analog, DL-Methionine – Hydroxy analog calcium
- Climate Induced Farming Risk and Crop Insurance
See our National Organic Standards Board wrap-up (coming soon!) for more information.
Find-A-Certifier Tool Now Available
In order to simplify the search for an organic certification agency, the National Organic Program offers a tool to match those seeking certification with certifiers that are accepting new applicants. Completed Organic Certification Interest Forms will be sent to multiple certifiers for them to follow up with prospective applicants.
Template Eases the Transition to Organic Livestock Certification
The National Organic Program has a new template to help livestock producers transitioning to organic production learn how to document their organic practices prior to completing an Organic System Plan, as required for organic certification. The Livestock Transitional Production Plan (TPP) template was developed under the Organic Transition Initiative’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program.
International News
Certifiers Directed to Step Up Oversight of Soy in West Africa
USDA has directed certifiers of organic soybeans and soybean meal from West Africa to increase oversight of the organic soybean supply chain. Among the actions certifiers must take include additional on-site inspections and expanded sample testing of organic soy products. The move was sparked by the rapid growth of soybeans represented as organic, security concerns that can impede the ability of certifiers to make unannounced inspections, the prevalence of large producer groups, and known attempts to sell nonorganic soybeans from the region as organic. More.
EU Court Case Changes Organic Labels for Imported Products
On October 4, the European Court of Justice issued a judgement about the labeling of organic products and when the EU’s organic seal can be used, particularly if vitamins and minerals of non-plant origin have been added. The judgement would limit the use of “organic” (and its equivalents) and EU organic production label to only those products that fully comply with EU organic requirements, regardless of any equivalence arrangements in place. Products from third countries with equivalence arrangements in place, however, could still export products to the EU and use their own country’s seal. The Organic Trade Association is working with the USDA to better understand the implications of this ruling.
More Time to Comply with EU Regulations to Prevent Deforestation?
Operations will have more time to comply with the European Union’s Regulation on Deforestation-free Products if the proposed extension is approved by the European Parliament. Expected to pass by the end of 2024, the proposal extends the compliance deadline to December 30, 2025 for medium and large companies and to June 30, 2026 for micro and small businesses. Deforestation is linked to the production of commodities like cattle, wood, cocoa, soy, palm oil, coffee, rubber, and some of their derived products, such as leather, chocolate, tires, or furniture.
Global Compostable Produce Label Standards In The Works
At a meeting organized by the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and the Compost Council of Canada, representatives from the International Federation of Produce Standards, the International Compost Alliance and the PLU (Price Look Up) label industry agreed to begin work to develop and adopt a global standard for compostable PLUs. The predominately noncompostable stickers are difficult to extract from the composting process and contaminate the finished compost, reducing its quality. Since the European Union plans to shift to compostable PLUs by 2028, the standard-setting effort has momentum.
The Survey Says…
Gen Z Values Food Sustainability and Quality
A national survey of 1,032 adults aged 18-27 found that 55% of Gen Z consumers are willing to pay more for environmentally sustainable products, and 70% support climate-smart agriculture practices. Conducted by YouGov on behalf of Whole Foods Market, the survey highlights Gen Z’s interest in sustainability and quality in their grocery products, as 80% agreed food quality is important, and 70% are willing to spend more on high-quality food. Three-quarters of respondents viewed reducing food waste as essential for sustainability, but only half prioritize sustainable packaging.
US Organic Cotton Production Chugs Along
Organic Upland and American Pima Cotton production in the United States decreased from 42,883 bales in 2022 to 39,259 bales in 2023, a difference of 3,624 bales, according to the USDA’s most recent Organic Cotton Market Summary. Most of the US crop was used in non-woven materials. Organic cottonseed prices ranged from $400-$600 per ton, compared to $225-$375 per ton for nonorganic. Organic dairies are the principal purchasers of organic cottonseed. Texas leads in US organic cotton plantings and production.
Organic Sales Outpace Nonorganic in the UK
Despite cost-of-living pressures, sales of organic food and beverages are outpacing non-organic equivalents, according to information shared during the Soil Association’s Organic Trade Conference. In the United Kingdom, organic sales were up 6.4% compared to 5.4% for non-organic, and 69% of shoppers are looking for sustainable or eco-friendly logos when shopping. Concern about personal health and wellness has increased from two years ago, from 11% to 28%.
New Report Examines Ontario Organic Market
According the to 2024 Ontario Organic Market Report, published by the Organic Council of Ontario in partnership with the Canada Organic Trade Association, Ontario’s organic food and beverage market is approximately 38% of Canada’s organic grocery sales and is valued at $1.141 billion. Home to 18.9% of Canada’s organic operations, Ontario has over 1,000 primary producers working over 343,828 acres. Market share of organic products is increasing in Canada, from 3.1% to 3.4% from 2021 to 2023.
Lower Organic Commodity Prices Could Spell Trouble for Farms
A white paper from Argus Media warns that low organic commodity prices for soybeans and corn could push some farmers out of the organic market, slow transition to organic for those crops, or encourage a short term shift to other crops, such as alfalfa or identity-protected varieties. Conventional pricing has not declined at the same rate as organic soy and corn pricing during the 2023-24 marketing year.
Inside the Beltway
“Best By” Date Label Rules To Change
California has new food date labeling laws, and the rest of the nation may soon follow suit. Starting July 1, 2026 in California, “BEST if used by” will signify peak quality, and “Use by” will indicate product safety. Consumer facing “Sell by” dates will be prohibited.
Similar bills have been introduced in the US House and Senate. The changes are aimed clarifying information, and reducing food waste and the corresponding toll it has on the planet.
Find EPA Funding Opportunities And Be Climate-Smart
Learn more about the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding opportunities, and how to include climate resilience and adaptation and engage community members and other partners in funded projects at the EPA’s new Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox.
Farmworker Health and Pesticides: EPA Has Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency also offers funding opportunities for projects that support farmworker communities:
Farmworker Training and Education Program for Pesticide Safety: EPA seeks applications from community-based farmworker nonprofit organizations with experience in training agricultural workers or pesticide handlers or developing educational materials for them to support training, materials development and outreach to farmworker communities on pesticide safety, as well as to help them understand their rights under the Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) – a regulation that seeks to limit occupational pesticide exposure. Apply by December 19.
Pesticides Health Care Initiative: EPA seeks applications from nonprofit organizations with experience training health care providers who serve farmworker populations for a five-year cooperative agreement of up to $2.1 million to improve health care providers’ ability to prevent, recognize, treat, manage and report pesticide-related illness. Apply by December 19.
Pesticides Grant Technical Assistance Program: EPA seeks applications for a cooperative agreement of up to $1.47 million to provide technical assistance with grants administration and compliance for grantees of the Farmworker Training and Education Program for Pesticide Safety and Pesticides Health Care Initiative agreements described above. Apply by December 5.
GMO News
China Expands the Uses of Genetically Modified Microorganisms
China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA), under the National Health Commission, now allows genetically-modified-microorganism-derived products without residual of exogenous genes and GM microorganisms to be used as new food raw materials, new varieties of food-related products and food additives. An unofficial translation of the Requirements for Application Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms is available.
China Approves More GMO Varieties
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has added 27 more genetically modified corn varieties and three GM soy varieties to its registry. Listed GM corn and soybean varieties will be eligible for planting in approved areas.
Organic Industry News & Notices
“Grower Group” Certification Upheld in Court Decision
The US District Court in the District of Oregon ruled against a pending legal challenge to organic “grower group” certification, a longstanding practice that enables smallholders around the world to grow certified organic products. Codified in the Strengthening Organic Enforcement regulations update, “grower group” certification is common for many products, including coffee, and chocolate. The plaintiff in the case, a US hazelnut grower, failed to show how the application of the law had injured his business and, thus lacked standing. Notably, the court did not rule on the merits of the claim, but only on the plaintiff’s lack of standing. In oral comments to the National Organic Standards Board, the plaintiff indicated he intends to continue pursuing the case.
More Market Data for Milk, Cattle, Fertilizer and Farmer’s Markets
In accordance with the 2018 Farm Bill, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, in conjunction with state departments of agriculture and universities, expanded organic market information.
The new information includes:
- Farmgate organic milk prices for Vermont and Pennsylvania.
- Production cost prices for organic poultry litter fertilizer in Alabama, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
- Additional farmers market coverage in Pennsylvania, Iowa, New York, and California including organic specialty crops and dairy products.
Additional market information for organic food and feed grade grains and feedstuffs is coming in 2025.
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.
Organic Community
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.
Congratulations to the Rodale Institute!
They were featured in Fast Company as a recipient of a $1 million investment from Holdfast Collective, the non-profit arm of Patagonia, and $1.5 million in matching funds from the state of California. Together, they will expand services to farmers in Ventura County, California and encourage more regenerative organic agriculture. Our CEO and Founder Bill Wolf serves on the Board of the Rodale Institute.
Rodale Institute Names First Chief Farming Officer
Luke Howard will serve as the Rodale Institute’s first Chief Farming Officer to lead the long-term strategy for the Organic Consultancy that aims to create a new Farm Management Service and a regional management structure. He will also be developing a long-term vision and strategy for the farm-operations activities across all Rodale campuses. Howard has served as a Wolf Associate on a number of projects, and we send our congratulations and wish him well in his new role to catalyze positive change for the Institute.
COTA Organic Summit Open to Nonmembers
The Canada Organic Trade Association will host its Organic Summit Monday, November 18, 2024, in Ottawa, followed by an Advocacy Day on Tuesday, November 19.
The Organic Summit on November 18 is either in person or virtual, and open to members and non-members of the association; Parliament Day activities are in person and for COTA members only.
Events offer:
- Networking opportunities with organic business leaders
- Interaction with Canada’s policymakers
- Market research on the Canadian organic market
- Scientific insights, with cutting edge research unveiled
Perspectives from USA organic advocates on how they created an Organic Act.