The National Organic Standards Board remains down five seats, leaving out critical voices.
The USDA has left five National Organic Standards Board seats unfilled past the point where replacements are normally seated, leaving critical voices missing. Two farmers, two consumer advocates, and one certifier retired in January 2026 and the Secretary of Agriculture has yet to name replacements.
Board Makeup
The NOSB is a fifteen-member board that includes five farmers, two handlers, one certifier, one scientist, three consumer advocates and three environmental advocates. So currently there is no certifier representation on the Board, and the ten remaining members are carrying the full work. Each member brings a unique experience and expertise to the Board and it is critical that all seats be filled with qualified candidates so that decisions can be based on widespread knowledge of the organic sector.
What’s Happening with Board Appointments
The Secretary of Agriculture officially makes the appointments to the NOSB and typically appoints new board members prior to retiring members exiting the Board, which raises the question of what is taking so long.
There was some concern that the expiration of the National Organic Standards Board charter in early July 2026 may be impacting the appointment timeline and other Board functions. Fortunately, on August 7, 2026 the USDA filed the National Organic Standards Board charter, resolving those concerns.
NOC continues to push for the vacant seats to be filled with qualified candidates. The delays jeopardize Board continuity, historical perspective, and impact the ability to continuously improve organic standards. A fully functioning NOSB is critical to organic integrity and for the community to have a voice in our organic standards.
Fall NOSB Meeting
Want to learn more about the NOSB including how you can make sure your voice is effectively heard? Check out the webinar, Demystifying the National Organic Standards Board
According to the USDA website, the Fall NOSB meeting is scheduled to take place virtually Oct. 27-29, 2026 and it is vital the current vacancies be filled well in advance of the meeting. While awaiting that announcement, mark your calendar and prepare to give the NOSB comments during the open comment period ahead of the fall meeting!
About the NOSB
The National Organic Standards Board is the primary means by which the organic community provides input to the USDA National Organic Program. The NOSB reviews materials used in organic production and provides policy recommendations for improvements to organic standards that protect the integrity of the organic label.