Organic Farming Policy

OFRF organic policy is on the hill and in the fields.

Conservation programs key to farm bill

Hudson, S.D. - One of the American farmer’s primary responsibilities is protecting our farmland’s soil and water.

photo of farmlandFarmer Dan Gillespie talks about the importance of supporting conservation programs in the farm bill 

For the long-term food security of our nation, we must have productive soils that are not washing away or depleted of nutrients and organic matter.

On my farm, I have used two important working land conservation farm programs to enhance the productivity of my land: the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program.

The 2012 Farm Bill

Congress is currently debating the Farm Bill, and OFRF is taking action to protect organic programs.

OFRF's 2012 Farm Bill policy platform includes advocating for the following initiatives:
◦Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
◦Organic Data Initiative (ODI)
◦National Organic Certification Cost-share Program (NOCCSP)
◦National Organic Program (NOP)
◦Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) Organic Initiative
◦Organic Crop Insurance

President Signs Food Safety Overhaul

On Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 President Obama signed the Food Safety Modernization Act into law. As signed, the bill contains amendments which protect small and mid-size organic family farmers.

In what is considered a sweeping overhaul of national food safety regulations, President Obama signed into law the Food Safety Modernization Act (S.510) on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011. The act gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) increased regulatory authority, but avoids a "one size fits all" approach that would unduly burden small and mid-sized organic farmers and stifle burgeoning local and regional food systems.

Tuesdays on the Hill

Mark Keating-
Policy Consultant

Deadline for 2013 Conservation Stewardship Program Fast Approaching

Thinking of enrolling your farm or ranch in USDA’s dynamic Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) which pays farmers to implement and upgrade a wide variety of conservation practices? CSP is a natural fit for organic farmers because it compensates them for many practices already required by certification including cover cropping, managed grazing, and providing habitat to conserve biodiversity.  If you think CSP could work for you, contact your local NRCS office very soon because the deadline for participating in 2013 will likely close before the end of May.  Submitting some simple paperwork before the deadline allows you more time to work with NRCS and develop your conservation plan.
Antibiotics on Apples?

Like many others invested in organic agriculture, the decision at last week’s National Organic Standards Board meeting to phase out an antibiotic used in certified apple and pear production may have left you wondering, why was it allowed to begin with? The straightforward answer is that, throughout its history, organic certification has allowed a very small number of materials, even pesticides, that we more often associate with conventional agriculture.

Wednesdays in the Field

Rural America Remains Relevant

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a recent speech that rural America is “becoming less and less relevant” in agricultural politics.  While we agree that the USDA and farm legislators need a more “proactive message, not a reactive message,” as Vilsak pointed out, the reason we don’t have farm legislation for the upcoming 5 years is because it is precisely farm-state, rural legislators who are standing in the way. 
Organic Farmers Stand Strong

Well folks, it’s over. The flurry of nonstop campaign ads, tele-campaign calls and colorful glossy mailings has ceased, and it’s now time to move forward. While we’re disappointed that California voted down Proposition 37, we’re optimistic about other elements that unfolded on Tuesday.