“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” ~Benjamin Franklin
President’s Remarks
What inspires us?
People who are passionate and committed, that’s what. Tom Driscoll was my friend and confidant for nearly forty years. He married an organic gardener, Nancy, and after that, his farming practices had to change. He had been growing strawberries the usual way back then—with chemicals—and wanted a better way. He realized the soluble nitrates in the fertilizers he used were causing problems and actually suppressing yields and quality. He called me in to help.
We started with digging a hole in his field—tracing the plant roots, smelling the earth, looking at microbial populations and hunting for earthworms. We didn’t find any.
I knew the changes on his ranch would be challenging—it takes time to get the soil back to optimum health, after all. I suggested we start small with one acre, but he would have none of it. He insisted on going organic on all of his Farmhill Ranch at once. And that was an especially big commitment, as his ranch was one of the most visible growing areas in the Salinas Valley. He had a problem to solve, and he did it wholeheartedly—and with great joy.
In persistently seeking solutions, he triggered innovations for agriculture that have been widely adopted beyond the organic sector, like using predatory insects and vacuuming the pests off the plants, for example. His leadership helped turn organic farming in California from a counter-culture activity into a respected farming strategy. He showed me there were people in mainstream agriculture who were willing to invest in healthy soil.
Forty years later, thanks in part to his inspiration, I strive to contribute as Tom did—encouraging innovation and organic development. I was grieving for our loss of Tom when Maria Rodale asked if she could nominate me to join the Rodale Institute Board of Directors. I decided that one way to honor Tom and continue that work was to accept Maria Rodale’s invitation.
More farmers investing in the health of the soil will benefit us all. Tom will be missed, not only in this office, but everywhere Driscoll berries are grown. To his friends and family, accept our heartfelt sympathy at his passing. And to all those folks who serve as a beacon for others, thank you for inspiring our heroes.
Bill Wolf
President
Wolf & Associates
NOP News
NOP Responds to NOSB Recommendations
The USDA National Organic Program responded to National Organic Standards Board recommendations from the April 29 –May 1, 2024 meeting in Wisconsin. The memo also listed NOP’s current and upcoming regulatory priorities, which include:
- Analyzing public comments and drafting the final regulations for mushrooms and pet food.
- Developing educational resources to support the implementation of published rules, including the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards and Strengthening Organic Enforcement
- Reinitiating regulatory activity to address the NOSB recommendations related to nitrogen fertilizers in crop production
- Additional updates to the NOP Handbook,
- Determining rulemaking options for both inert ingredients in pesticides and compost for organic production.
Sunset Reviews Completed
As part of regular sunset reviews, 47 substances maintained their places on the US National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances until 2030. The National Organic Standards Board must review every substance on the National List every five years to confirm that it continues to meet criteria required to remain on the list.
NOP Implements Continuity Plan for Electronic Import Certificates
Do you regularly use the GLOBAL Organic Integrity Database? You can now sign up for updates concerning planned and unplanned system outages. During a system outage, certifiers should temporarily delay issuing import certificates. If a certifier is unable to delay issuing a certificate, the NOP authorizes certifiers to issue a paper import certificate.
NOSB Meeting Agenda Arriving Soon
The National Organic Program will likely announce the agenda for the Fall 2024 National Organic Standards Board meeting before the end of August. The notice will also open the sign-ups for oral comment, either online October 15 or 17 or in person in Portland as part of the meeting from October 22-24. The agenda will be posted on the Fall NOSB Meeting web page, along with instructions for submitting written comments and signing up for oral comments.
SOE Update
SOE Gets Real September 19
Although the official implementation date for Strengthening Organic Enforcement was March 19, the National Organic Program has (unofficially) allowed a grace period for the industry to work out remaining bugs in the system, particularly challenges related to importing and import certificates. That grace is set to expire on September 19, so those who are importing organic goods need to make sure supply chains and related documentation are compliant and ready for official scrutiny. Any goods without adequate documentation will be rejected or lose their organic status upon entry.
Grounds for Organic Coffee Certification
Our own John Foster and Peter Kettler will again join Mike Ebert of Firedancer Coffee Consultants for a free webinar for coffee producers, cooperatives and exporters on September 4 at 3 p.m. EDT. The webinar will cover the Strengthening Organic Enforcement regulations, which pose significant changes for anyone exporting organic coffee to the United States. Sign up here. It’s like a free refill after our previous webinar focused on organic coffee importers, traders, and roasters available.
International News
Danish Farmers to Pay Tax on Livestock’s Greenhouse Gasses
As part of an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% from 1990 levels, livestock farmers in Denmark will face a tax on emitted carbon dioxide beginning in 2030, once the Danish parliament approves a new agreement. The main provisions will tax emissions from cattle and pigs, establish emission reduction targets, establish forests, and more.
The Survey Says…
Report Lists the Benefits of Organic Produce
A new report from The Organic Center compiles “The Benefits of Organic Produce” from a review of 85 scientific studies published over the last 30 years. Among the findings, the report shows organic produce is more nutritious and tastier than non-organic produce and contains more antioxidants and nutrients. As an example: Organic oranges contain 10.7% more vitamin C and to 21.4% more essential oils than non-organic oranges.
The free report also touches on the environmental, human health, and economic benefits of organic produce.
Biological Products Garner Fans Among Crop Farmers
Row crop farmers in the United States have increased their use of biological crop solutions 8% in the last two years, says a study form Stratovation Group. About 45% of U.S. Row-crop producers reported purchasing or using ag biological products in 2024, up from 37% in 2022. Among biological users, the most common metric for success was increased yields, followed by profitability. Education was seen as crucial for further adoption of ag biologicals.
Organic Olive Oils Gain Ground in Competition
Organic extra virgin olive oil represented about 35 percent of the extra virgin olive oils submitted to the New York International Olive Oil Competition (NYIOOC) World Olive Oil Competition. Of the 330 organic extra virgin oils in the contest, 207 of them earned awards.
Inside the Beltway
USDA Seeks Advisors:
- Fruit and Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee
- Growing Climate Solutions Act Council
Farm Finance Gets More Flexible at FSA
New rules that will improve farmers’ access to credit go into effect September 25. The USDA Farm Service Agency announced improvements to the Farm Loan Programs. Among the changes: Flexible repayment terms, reductions in collateral requirements and a new low-interest installment set-aside program for financially distressed borrowers.
Business Grants Bolster Local Food Systems
Small, mid-sized, and diverse food and farm entrepreneurs in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, and northwest Arkansas are eligible for USDA Business Builder Grants to promote business expansion, job creation, business capacity building, and increasing local products in the local market. USDA Heartland Regional Food Business Center is accepting applications for competitive awards of $5,000 to $50,000 each in its first-round funding through October 15, 2024. A total of $3.1 million is available through the program.
Coming Soon—Help in Understanding Risk Management Options
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding nearly $4.1 million to organizations and outreach efforts to educate underserved, small-scale, and organic producers about farm risk management and climate-smart farm practices. Georgia Organic Growers, Northeast Organic Farming Association and Oregon Tilth are among the 15 organizations receiving funding from USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) to develop training and resources for producers.
GMO News
Gene-edited Wheat Approved in China
China’s Ministry of Agriculture approved commercial cultivation of gene-edited wheat altered to resist fungal disease. China is the world leader in wheat production and use.
Organic Community
Bill Wolf Joins Rodale Institute’s Board of Directors
Our Founder and CEO Bill Wolf has been appointed to the Rodale Institute’s Board of Directors. Rodale Institute confronts one of the world’s greatest challenges: Creating a resilient global food system that improves human health and the environment. Rodale’s mission is to advance groundbreaking research and best-in-class education that enables farms and farmers to transition to regenerative organic agricultural practices, thereby improving the health of the world’s soil and securing the global food supply.
“Improving human health and the environment through better agriculture and healthy soil has been an underlying passion for my activities,” Bill said. “I look forward to contributing to the important work of Rodale Institute and supporting its mission to create healthy soil, healthy food, and healthy people.”
Our Associates List Expands
We take pride in working with some of the top experts across the organic sector to help our clients flourish with integrity. We’d like to announce our most recent addition to the Wolf Pack, Connie Karr, previously with Oregon Tilth. She brings broad and deep experience in organic certification, strategy, problem solving and a generous spirit. Welcome, Connie!
Learn More About Inputs for Organic Processing and Crops
The Organic Materials Review Institute and the International Organic Inspectors Association have teamed up to offer training webinars on input materials in the National Organic Program. Inspectors, consultants, reviewers and others will benefit from a better understanding of input assessment. Enrollment is limited to 20 per course, and some work happens before the meeting dates, so sign up early.
- September 18: 100 Level NOP Processing Input Materials
- October 16: 100 Level NOP Crop Input Materials
- November 13: 200 Level NOP Processing Input Materials
Our Condolences On the Passing of Two Organic Leaders
The organic community recently lost one if its pioneers—Tom Driscoll, of Driscoll’s Inc. Innovations from his Farmill berry ranch, coupled with his and his wife Nancy’s passion for organic growing, drove change in the perception of organic agriculture in California’s Salinas Valley beginning in the 1980s. A private memorial will be held in September.
Homer Lundberg, who built Lundberg Family Farms with his three brothers, passed away August 6. He worked with other farmers to help establish California Certified Organic Farmers in the 1970s, and was an advocate for caring for water resources for many decades. He truly was outstanding in the field. Our condolences to all who knew and loved him.