Organic Agriculture Policy

Standing Up for the Integrity of the Organic Label

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 created a National Organic Program (NOP) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that provides a consistent framework and third-party certification system for products labeled “organic.”

The national organic standards are built on the shoulders of indigenous practices and informed by decades of farmer experience.

Nevertheless, maintaining the integrity of the organic label involves ongoing work. The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) was created to provide independent oversight of the NOP. The NOSB makes recommendations on the production, handling, and processing of organic products.

The NOSB accepts comments from the organic community twice each year and your voice is important to maintain a strong organic program that consumers can trust.

OEFFA helps farmers attend NOSB meetings and provide comments to the board during webinars and in writing. In addition, we encourage farmers to send us their input, which we can include in OEFFA’s comments to the NOSB.

When the NOSB hears directly from farmers, they listen. Contact us to be part of the movement!

Investing in Organic Agriculture and Climate Solutions

Farmer and consumer interest in this voluntary, market-based option is growing across the country despite organic and transitioning producers receiving minimal support from state and federal agriculture programs and land grant universities.

Organic research coupled with strong Extension services supports good farming practices that help ALL growers increase profitability, protect our environment, and support healthy communities.

For our food security, we must also invest in research on organic’s potential to aid in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Key research programs include the Economic Research Service, the Agricultural Research Service, and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

Likewise, OEFFA members also advocate for transition mentorship programs and increasing the number of dedicated Extension staff trained in organic.

Finally, the organic movement supports paying farmers who implement sustainable practices that help create a more resilient agriculture system.

Angela Schriver

Organic grain farmers, like Angela Schriver, are active in providing comments to the NOSB. Angela has spoken about the need to get tough on fraudulent organic imports by implementing a long-awaited Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule.

Scott Myers

Organic farmers, like Scott Myers, are calling for climate change solutions. He has led OEFFA conference workshops, spoken with the media, and hosted on-farm soil health events highlighting practices that sequester carbon.

Kip Rondy

OEFFA helps organic farmers, like Kip Rondy (pictured right) attend NSAC farmer fly-ins and National Organic Standards Board meetings, so they can share their feedback and help to keep the organic standards strong.

Abbe Turner

Local food business owner Abbe Turner has spoken about the need to invest in research programs, like ATTRA and the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, which help support organic and small-scale farmers.