Join NOC on Wednesday, October 14 from 1 pm to 4 pm ET for a community-wide virtual gathering alongside the NOSB meeting. Topics will include an NOSB update and farmer panel. More details coming soon!
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a National Organic Convening on Friday, November 6, 2026 from 1 to 4 pm ET. This online forum provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members.
The agenda will include a federal organic policy and midterm update led by National Organic Coalition Policy Director Steve Etka, a panel and participatory session, and a Q&A with NOP Deputy Administrator Dr. Jenny Tucker. More details coming soon!
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a Spring 2026 NOSB Meeting Debrief for NOC Members and Network Affiliates.
When: June 2 from 1 to 2:00 pm eastern (call begins at 12 pm central, 11 am mountain, 10 am pacific)
Where: Virtual on Zoom
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us at info@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you would like more information about joining NOC.
NOC’s team will describe highlights from the Spring 2026 National Organic Standards Board Meeting on Omaha, Nebraska. Topics include:
Our biggest takeaways from USDA: What we heard from Dr. Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program
NOP Staff losses
Future rulemaking
Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS)
Streamlined inspections
Common OSP
Temporary Variance to Allow Forced Molting for Laying Hens
What is Happening with the Vacant NOSB Seats
Important NOSB discussions:
Chlorine materials in livestock systems
Organic Seed usage
Residue testing
E-Commerce
Carageenan
…and more!
Plains Region Organic Farmer Panel
Looking to the future:
Rulemaking on List 4 Inerts
Compost Feedstocks
Upcoming NOSB Meetings
NOC Call to Action
NOSB Proposals and Discussion Documents: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOSB_Spring_2026_Meeting_Packet_508.pdf
NOC Spring 2026 Comments to the NOSB: https://app.box.com/s/917tdkp3b2rjr3b62zc6v1d1yew2stxx
NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting Resources: https://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/spring-2026-prenosb-meeting-resources
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us at info@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you would like more information about joining NOC.
Join NOC for a community-wide gathering in Omaha, alongside the NOSB meeting:
This is an in-person event in Omaha, Nebaska.
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) is proud to continue bringing the organic community together for timely, solution-oriented conversations in connection with National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meetings. This spring’s meeting in Omaha will provide a federal policy update, including the latest on the Farm Bill, USDA reorganization and National Organic Program (NOP) staffing, and NOC’s advocacy to advance organic with Congress and USDA. The event will take place at KANEKO, just .2 miles from the NOSB meeting location.
The meeting will also feature a farmer panel, an overview of the key issues before the NOSB this spring and beyond, and a Q&A with Dr. Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program.
One of the most valuable aspects of the Pre-NOSB meeting is its interactive, discussion-based format. Unlike the NOSB meeting itself, where participants observe Board deliberations, this roundtable setting creates space for farmers, businesses, and advocates to share perspectives, raise concerns, and engage directly on the most pressing issues facing organic today. Additional topics may be added as the agenda is finalized.
Register here. Priority registration deadline is 5 pm EST Wednesday, May 6. You can still register after Wednesday, but your name may not be included on the participant list.
**Open to TOPP Partners ONLY
The Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) has sparked new collaborations, mentoring relationships, and momentum across the organic community. As we look ahead, this session will lift up the areas where TOPP has had the greatest impact and explore which elements are most valuable to sustain beyond the program’s formal end.
The session will feature a lightning round of brief presentations highlighting effective models and lessons learned, followed by a panel discussion to reflect on what’s working, what we’ve learned, how we can make the most of the time that remains, and how successes can inform future work to help more producers transition to organic.
Registration form: Please note registration is open to TOPP partners only.
**Open to the TOPP network and the broader organic community
Across the country, the number of certified organic operations has begun to shift in ways that warrant closer attention. While new operations continue to enter organic each year, the sector has experienced a net loss of certified operations within the crops and livestock scopes over the past several years. Understanding these dynamics is essential for supporting farm viability and strengthening organic food and farm systems.
Join us on Zoom Friday, Jan. 16 from 2 to 4:30 pm ET to explore what’s driving these losses, where the gaps in understanding remain, and how we can work together to reverse the trend.
This session will take a data-focused look at national trends using the Organic Integrity Database (OID) and certifier-reported information to help answer key questions: Who is exiting organic certification? Where are these changes occurring? What types of operations appear most affected? Presenters Mallory Krieger (OATS) and Dr. Carolyn Dimitri (NYU) will share the latest available data, highlight what we know, and identify the gaps in information that limit our understanding of why these shifts are occurring.
We’ll also discuss how the USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) can help strengthen farm viability and what additional policy levers may be needed to support farmers and protect organic integrity.
Join us over Zoom on December 10 from 2 to 3:30 pm ET for a virtual interactive session that will put the focus on farmers, creating space to share firsthand experiences and practical strategies for streamlining recordkeeping and reducing the stress of compliance.
Recordkeeping is one of the biggest hurdles in organic certification, and for some farmers, it’s a reason to avoid or even abandon the process.
Hear directly from organic farmers about the tools and practices that have worked for them.
Participate in breakout sessions to exchange ideas, ask questions, and learn from peers.
Discuss how simplifying recordkeeping can help build a more inclusive and supportive organic community.
This session is designed to spark a larger conversation about reducing paperwork burdens across the organic system. Come prepared to share, listen, and collaborate as we work toward solutions that make organic certification more accessible for all.
Session II (November 17) will include:
a panel and participatory session on reducing the burden of organic certification,
Dr. Jenny Tucker from the National Organic Program will join us for a Q&A session with the organic community (now confirmed!).
We’ll also hear about efforts to strengthen environmental impact measurement and reporting for organic.
Meeting resources (additional resources coming soon)
Don’t miss Session II: we want your ideas as part of this working dialogue on lowering barriers to certification and aligning resources with risk.
Session II: Monday, November 17
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern Time
Location: online zoom meeting
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a Fall 2025 National Organic Convening in two parts from 1-4 pm ET on November 3 and November 17. This online forum provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members.
Session I (November 3) will include:
a panel of organic grain farmers from the Plains region,
a federal organic policy update, and
an update on the work of the National Organic Standards Board.
Join Session I to hear from Plains-region grain farmers firsthand and get Steve Etka’s briefing on the shutdown’s ripple effects, USDA staffing cuts, and the stalled Farm Bill.
NOTE: This virtual convening will take the place of the organic meeting originally scheduled to take place in Omaha, Nebraska, in connection with the Fall National Organic Standards Board meeting. The Fall NOSB meeting has been cancelled due to the government shutdown. Learn more.
Session I: Monday, November 3
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: online zoom meeting.
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a zoom call:
Spring 2025 NOSB Meeting Debrief
May 28 from 12 to 1:30 pm eastern
(call begins at 11 am central, 10 am mountain, 9 am pacific)
NOC’s team will describe highlights from the Spring 2025 National Organic Standards Board Meeting.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
We will share highlights and answer questions related to the Spring 2025 NOSB Meeting. Topics include:
Our biggest takeaways from USDA: What we heard from Chris Purdy, Acting Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program & other USDA Officials
Important NOSB discussions:
Annotation changes
NOSB Process – technical reviews, delisting sunset materials, Board participation, Board member respect, consent agenda
Learn how the NOSB voted this spring on proposals: residue testing, risk-based certification and more
Compostable synthetics
Organic Seed Usage
Looking to the future:
What are some topics we would like to see the NOSB work on going forward?
In-person meeting in Omaha?
Register below by Tuesday, May 27 at 5 pm ET .
Background Information
What is the NOSB?
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is a 15-member volunteer board with representation from diverse members of the organic community. The NOSB advises the Secretary of Agriculture on a wide variety of topics related to organic standards, including what materials should be allowed in organic farming. The NOSB holds public meetings twice a year and the National Organic Coalition holds a public meeting prior to the start of each NOSB meeting (NOSB meetings usually last three or four days). The purpose of the Pre-NOSB meeting is to provide a forum for dialogue around critical issues of organic integrity for diverse members of the organic community. The work of the NOSB is critical to maintaining the integrity of the USDA National Organic Program. The public meetings held each year are an opportunity for the entire organic community to publicly voice their opinions about how the organic program should function. For more information about the NOSB, please visit: https://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/ofpa-nosb/
Our Organic Summit picks up where the NOSB meeting left off: with a strategic and solutions-focused conversation about the future of organic. This gathering is a call to action for the entire organic community to align around shared priorities, especially in light of ongoing federal funding freezes and cuts to USDA staffing and programs.
The event will include:
A DC organic policy update from NOC Policy Director Steve Etka.
A farmer panel, co-facilitated with Organic Farmers Association highlighting the essential role that farmers play in shaping organic policy and advancing the movement, by sharing personal stories, advocacy experiences, and practical strategies for engagement.
How organic organizations are organizing and raising farmer voices to protect and advance organic agriculture.
An opportunity to connect with new and existing organic allies in a virtual space.
USDA Leaders Erin Morris (newly appointed Administrator for USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service) and Chris Purdy (Acting Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program) will join for a Q&A about organic regulations, programs, and policies at USDA.
Find the full agenda here, and additional meeting resources available here.
This event is free and open to all. We hope you’ll join us to stay informed, speak out, and support the future of organic.
Register below.
Thank you to our meeting co-sponsor:
NOC is hosting a virtual Spring 2025 Pre-NOSB Meeting.
This is a virtual, public event!
The Pre-NOSB Meeting takes place in advance of the National Organic Standards Board meeting each spring and fall. This meeting provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members. The meeting will include:
An update about topics under consideration by the National Organic Standards Board at the spring meeting, by NOC's NOSB Specialist Steve Ela
A panel of experts on compost feedstocks.
Register below by April 27, 2025.
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) invites organic farmers to participate in a listening session to better understand their perspectives and ideas on sound and sensible ways to improve organic seed usage.
Context: The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) requires the use of organic seed unless the seeds farmers need, including equivalent varieties, aren’t commercially available. The purpose of the current organic seed exemption is to provide a transition time for the seed industry to catch up to demand and to allow organic growers to find suitable varieties to transition to, with the goal of eventually achieving 100 percent organic seed sourcing. The allowance for non-organic seed is important for growers who lack access to appropriate organic seed for their operations. While it is no one’s intention to force organic growers to use organic seed that may not be optimal for their operations, continuous improvement in organic seed sourcing is essential to incentivizing growth in the organic seed supply and strengthening organic integrity.
Purpose: In partnership with Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), Organic Farmers Association (OFA), and Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association (OEFFA), NOC is inviting certified organic producers to share their thoughts in this listening session - producers’ firsthand experience is key to shaping practical policies. Farmers face real challenges in sourcing organic seed, and their input helps ensure policies support continuous improvement while remaining flexible for growers. This dialogue will guide advocacy for balanced solutions that strengthen organic integrity and the seed supply.
Discussions from this listening session will help inform our work with the National Organic Program (NOP) and National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on continuous improvement of organic seed usage.
Target audience: certified organic producers. We want to hear directly from organic producers in this facilitated listening session, which will balance small and large group discussion.
Registration is closed. Please contact alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with any questions.
On January 15 at 2 pm ET, NOC and Oregon Tilth will convene a virtual meeting to provide information about how USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs work and how they can benefit organic and transitioning producers. Meeting participants will also gain insights into how they can assist organic producers to access NRCS conservation support.
This workshop is for staff from organic farming organizations and organizations that participate in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and/or who work with organic and transitioning farmers. Content will be presented by Ben Bowell (Education & Advocacy Director, Oregon Tilth) and Marina Oriel (Conservation Program Manager, Oregon Tilth).
Registration is closed - please email Alice@NationalOrganicCoalition.org with questions.
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a zoom call:
The Future of Organic Under a Second Trump Administration
Tuesday, December 3rd from 1 to 2:30 pm eastern
(call begins at 12 pm central, 11 am mountain, 10 am pacific)
Registration is closed. Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with questions.
We will talk about the future of organic under a Trump Administration and with the new makeup of the House and Senate. We will discuss how we can protect core organic programs in the Farm Bill and other legislation. We will share our preliminary analysis of the leadership changes on the House and Senate Agriculture committees and what these changes will mean for the Farm Bill and organic programs.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a zoom call:
Portland NOSB Meeting Debrief
November 13 from 1 to 2:30 pm eastern
(call begins at 12 pm central, 11 am mountain, 10 am pacific)
NOC’s team will describe highlights from the Fall 2024 National Organic Standards Board Meeting & NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting in Portland.
Registration is closed - please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with any questions:
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
We will share highlights and answer questions related to the Portland meetings. Topics include:
Our biggest takeaways – What we heard from Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program & other USDA Officials
Important NOSB discussions on livestock materials, organic compost, inerts, residue testing, risk-based certification, organic seed usage, and sunset materials
Future NOSB Work, including plastic use in organic, in-person oral comments, NOSB composition and renewal
Pre-NOSB Meeting Highlights: Farmer Panel & Organic Seed Panel
USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program - National Meeting Updates
NOC is convening a meeting for staff from organizations that are participating in USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). This meeting will take place on Wednesday, October 23, from 9:30 am to 3 pm CT, and will run concurrent with Day 2 of the National Organic Standards Board Meeting. This meeting will provide the opportunity for regional and national TOPP partners to share information and best practices.
Day: Wednesday, October 23
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm PT
Location: Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center at the Ecotrust Building, 721 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Agenda: The meeting agenda and resources will be available soon
This meeting is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
NOC is also convening a public Pre-NOSB meeting for the organic community. This meeting will take place on Monday, October 21, from 9 am to 5.00 pm PT at the Ecotrust Building in Portland, OR. Information and registration is available here.
Information about the Portland NOSB Meeting can be found here.
For any questions, please email Alice Runde at alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org.
NOC is hosting the Fall 2024 Pre-NOSB Meeting, in Portland, OR. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB Meeting takes place in advance of the National Organic Standards Board meeting each spring and fall. This meeting provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members. The meeting will include:
A panel of local organic farmers discussing regional challenges and opportunities.
A Q&A session with Dr. Jenny Tucker from the USDA National Organic Program.
A panel of experts to consider how to increase organic seed usage.
An DC update and discussion about advancing organic in the ongoing Farm Bill negotiations and after the election.
An update about topics under consideration by the National Organic Standards Board at the fall meeting.
Day: Monday, October 21
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm PT
Location: Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center at the Ecotrust Building, 721 NW 9th Ave, Portland, OR 97209
Agenda: The meeting agenda is available here. Meeting resources will be posted and updated here.
Accommodations: The USDA National Organic Program has a room block with preferential rates at The Duniway Hotel. Book here: https://book.passkey.com/go/USDANOP24, or for phone reservations, please call 503-226-1611 Ext.4210 for the hotel’s onsite team and indicate the group name: US Dept of Agriculture National Organic Program – USDA-NOP or the code 90Q.
NOC is offering a limited number of scholarships to farmers who want to attend the NOC Pre-NOSB meeting (October 21, 2024) & National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Meeting (October 22-24) in Portland, OR.
Scholarships can cover any travel-related expenses (mileage, transportation, meals, accommodations if needed). Scholarships will be disbursed based on the number of applications and stated needs, so the amount of each scholarship is unknown at this time.
Priority will be given to farmers who apply by Friday, September 20. NOC has limited funds and may not be able to grant all scholarship requests.
Scholarship recipients are asked to attend the NOC Pre-NOSB meeting if possible on October 21, from 9 am to 5 pm.
[SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED]
Please reach out to alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with questions.
Thank you to our generous meeting co-sponsors!
Thank you to the generous organizations who are providing snacks and beverages for the meeting:
Please note! Information will be presented, but this will be a highly interactive and participatory call. We will ask that participants follow these participant agreements during the call.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC
Background Information
Human Capital 2022 Report: DEI Resources for Organic Professionals
NOC's team will describe highlights from the
Spring 2024 National Organic Standards Board Meeting
and NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting.
Registration for the Spring 2024 Milwaukee Pre-NOSB & NOSB Meetings Debrief is now closed. Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with any questions.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
We will share highlights and answer questions related to the Milwaukee meetings. Topics include:
Our biggest takeaways – What we heard from Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program & other USDA Officials
Important NOSB discussions on organic compost, inerts, residue testing, and sunset materials
Future NOSB Work, including organic seed, standards for greenhouse/containers/hydroponics
Pre-NOSB Meeting Panel on Organic is Regenerative
USDA's Transition to Organic Partnership Program
NOC is convening a meeting for staff from organizations that are participating in USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). This meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 30, from 9:30 am to 3 pm CT, and will run concurrent with Day 2 of the National Organic Standards Board Meeting. This meeting will provide the opportunity for regional and national TOPP partners to share information and best practices.
Day: Tuesday, April 30
Time: 9:30 am to 3:00 pm CT
Location: Hilton Milwaukee City Center, 509 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Meeting agenda: linked here
This meeting is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
NOC is also convening a public Pre-NOSB meeting for the organic community. This meeting will take place on Sunday, April 28, from 9 am to 4.30 pm CT at the Historic Pabst Brewery, followed by a networking reception. Information and registration is available here.
Information about the Milwaukee NOSB Meeting can be found here.
NOSB Reception – 6 – 8 pm, Monday, April 29 – free & open to organic community members; (details here). Register here.
For any questions, please email Alice Runde at alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org.
NOC is hosting the Spring 2024 Pre-NOSB Meeting, in Milwaukee, WI. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB Meeting takes place in advance of the National Organic Standards Board meeting each spring and fall. This meeting provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic community members. The meeting will include:
A panel of local organic farmers discussing regional challenges and opportunities.
An DC update on organic policy issues, including the Farm Bill and new organic regulations.
A Q&A with Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program.
Discussions about topics under consideration by the National Organic Standards Board.
And more!
Day: Sunday, April 28
Time: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm CT, followed by a networking reception*
Location: The Great Hall at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 923 West Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233
Agenda: The meeting agenda and resources are available here.
*networking reception: light appetizers and snacks provided, cash bar.
NOC will provide a limited number of travel scholarships to farmers who wish to take part in the Pre-NOSB Meeting and/or NOSB Meeting. FARMER SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED.
Thank you to our meeting co-sponsors:
NOC will also convene a meeting for staff from organizations that are participating in USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). This meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 30, from 9:30 am to 3 pm CT. Information and registration is available here. For any questions, please email Alice Runde at alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org.
Information about the Milwaukee NOSB Meeting can be found here.
NOSB Reception – 6 – 8 pm, Monday, April 29 – free & open to organic community members; (details here). Register here.
Panelists:
Steve Ela, Former NOSB Chair, NOC NOSB Specialist, Organic Producer at Ela Family Farms
Harriet Behar, Former NOSB Chair, NOC Advisor, OFA Farmer Services Consultant, and Organic Producer at Sweet Springs Farm
Amy Bruch, Current NOSB Vice Chair and Organic Producer at Cyclone Farms
NOSB Board Members Meeting in 2018
Organic producers and processors must follow strict standards as to what is required to become organically certified. Who decides what is and is not allowed on organic farms and in organic processing facilities? Not your certifier! Rather, it’s the USDA National Organic Program, in consultation with the National Organic Standards Board.
In this interactive networking session for organic and transitioning farmers, a panel of farmers and advocates will demystify the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). Panelists will explain the role of the NOSB in shaping organic standards and allowed materials, the process the Board uses to make decisions, and explain how your comments can make a difference in Board decisions. Your input matters! The NOSB makes decisions that determine what you can and can’t do on your farm - we’ll explain how to provide input to the Board in a meaningful way, answer your questions, and share ideas about how to lift up farmer voices in the NOSB process.
Please reach out to Alice (alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org) with any questions.
This meeting is held in partnership with:
This project is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a virtual meeting:
(call begins at 11 am central, 10 am mountain, 9 am pacific)
USDA has finalized the long-awaited Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Rule. This new regulation will ensure high animal welfare standards for animals raised on organic farms, including a clear requirement for access to the outdoors for organic poultry production. On Friday, December 8, NOC will convene a webinar at 12 pm Eastern for NOC Members & Network Affiliates to share our analysis of this new regulation. This webinar will be presented by NOC Advisor and Consultant, Harriet Behar.
Registration for this event is now closed.
Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with questions.
**This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a virtual meeting:
(call begins at 1 pm central, 12 pm mountain, 11 am pacific)
NOC’s team will describe highlights from the Fall 2023 National Organic Standards Board Meeting and NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting.
Registration is closed.
Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org with questions.
We will discuss the following topics and answer your questions:
Key takeaways – Q&A with Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program
NOSB Proposals, Sunset Materials & Discussion Documents
Future NOSB Work
Pre-NOSB Meeting Farmer Panel on Land Access
**This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
Wednesday, October 25 · 7 - 9pm EDT
Bayberry Beer Hall, 381 West Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903
Join the Accredited Certifiers Association, National Organic Coalition, Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Organic Plus Trust, and the Organic Trade Association for a Happy Hour after Wednesday's NOSB meeting. Come hear what's new with each group and network with your colleagues while sharing a drink and some heavy hors d'oeuvres.
Registration https://www.eventbrite.com/e/736634853677?aff=oddtdtcreator
Space is limited to 100 people, so be sure to register early if you plan to attend!
Questions Email Gayle Mitchell - gayle@accreditedcertifiers.org
NOC is hosting the Fall 2023 Pre-NOSB Meeting, in Providence, Rhode Island. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB Meeting takes place in advance of the National Organic Standards Board meeting each spring and fall. This meeting provides a space for information-sharing and dialogue and is open to all organic stakeholders. The meeting will include:
A farmer panel.
An update on the 2023 Farm Bill negotiations and other organic policy issues.
Discussions about topics under consideration by the National Organic Standards Board.
A Q&A with the National Organic Program.
And more!
Meeting agenda & resources are available here.
Day: Monday, October 23rd
Time: 8.30 am to 3 pm ET
Location: Providence Marriott Downtown
Register below by COB on Thursday, October 19.
**NOC is providing a limited number of travel scholarships to farmers who wish to take part in the Pre-NOSB Meeting and/or NOSB Meeting.
[The application period for farmer scholarships is now closed.]
NOC will also convene a meeting for staff from organizations that are participating in USDA’s Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). This meeting will provide the opportunity for local, regional, and national TOPP partners to share information and best practices.
Part 1: Monday, October 23rd, from 3.30 to 5.30 pm ET
Part 2: Tuesday, October 24th, from 7.30 am to 9.30 am ET (breakfast is included)
Find a detailed agenda here.
Location: Providence Marriott Downtown
For any questions, please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org.
Information about the Fall 2023 NOSB Meeting can be found here > https://www.ams.usda.gov/event/national-organic-standards-board-nosb-meeting-providence-ri
Meeting participants are invited to the NOSB Happy Hour on Wednesday, October 25, from 7 - 9pm EDT. More information at the bottom of the page and here.
*** Registration is closed - please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you have not registered but would like to attend the meeting!***
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a zoom discussion for NOC Members & Network Affiliates:
Join NOC Policy Director, Steve Etka, and Executive Director, Abby Youngblood, to discuss all things organic in the 2023 Farm Bill.
We will discuss:
2023 Farm Bill context – the political backdrop and funding environment for the 2023 Farm Bill.
Marker bills – NOC has endorsed multiple marker bills that are focused on organic research, cost share, technical assistance, conservation and more. We will share details and answer questions about these bills and how each will advance organic.
Equity – we will highlight provisions that advance equitable access to organic agriculture.
Addressing regulatory bottlenecks at USDA – we will share more information about a bill that will amend OFPA to ensure that organic lives up to the continuous improvement ethos and to compel USDA to implement NOSB recommendations in a timely manner.
Grasstops & grassroots advocacy – learn how your organization or company can get more engaged and have an impact on the Farm Bill negotiations.
Register below by 5 pm ET on Tuesday, August 15 to participate in this event.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Not yet a NOC Network Affiliate? Please contact NOC to learn more about this opportunity.
Background Information:
Information about NOC’s work on the Farm Bill: https://www.nationalorganiccoalition.org/farm-bill
Top Priorities to Advance Organic in the 2023 Farm Bill: https://app.box.com/s/kx67627po79qd5j827jhh1e1wipiabw7
Marker Bill Tracker: https://app.box.com/s/cblgm23vpda5be3f3ltswif65ro8dqfu
NOC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform: https://app.box.com/s/k17baosd57mbingrgpdpbq2ct3weckgs
The National Organic Coalition is hosting a conference call:
(call begins at 2 pm central, 1 pm mountain, 12 pm pacific)
NOC’s team will describe highlights from the Spring 2023 National Organic Standards Board Meeting and NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting.
We will discuss the following topics and answer your questions:
Key takeaways – Q&A with Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program
NOSB Proposals, Sunset Materials & Discussion Documents
Future NOSB Work
Pre-NOSB Meeting Farmer Panel – Growing Organic in the Southeast
TOPP Meeting Report Back
**This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
Join NOC on Monday, April 24 in Atlanta, GA for the Spring 2023 Pre-NOSB Meeting. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB meeting will take place from 9 am to 5 pm ET at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Mid-town (same location as NOSB meeting).
A DC Organic Policy Update
Update on National Organic Standards Board Meeting topics
Discussion about the new USDA Organic Transition Initiative
An organic farmer panel
A Q&A session with Jenny Tucker, Deputy Administrator for the National Organic Program
Information about the new Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule
and more.
NOC will also convene a meeting for staff from organizations that are participating in the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) on the afternoon of April 24. This meeting will provide the opportunity for local, regional, and national TOPP partners to share information and best practices. More information is available here.
Anyone registering after April 20th is welcome to join the meeting, but may not be included in our count for printed materials.
Meeting agenda & resources are available here.
Information about the Spring 2023 NOSB Meeting can be found here > https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/meetings
For any questions, please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org.
Thank you to meeting co-sponsors:
(call begins at 1:00 pm central, 12:00 pm mountain, 11:00 am pacific)
Join NOC Policy Director, Steve Etka, and NOC Consultant, Christie Badger, to discuss the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule. NOC will provide our analysis of key provisions in the rule and its impact on organic operations and certification agencies.
Register below to participate in this event by 5 pm ET on Monday, January 30.
This call is for National Organic Coalition Members & Network Affiliates. Please contact us if you would like more information about joining NOC.
Background Information:
The Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule implements significant changes to tackle fraud in organic supply chains plus new requirements for additional organic handlers and brokers to become certified as organic.
The National Organic Coalition (NOC) submitted extensive comments in 2020 on a proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule. Since then, NOC has advocated forcefully for finalization of the rule to create a fair marketplace for organic producers, who must follow strict requirements to protect the environment and human health, and to conserve biodiversity.
NOC recognizes that the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule is a first step to address fraud and ensure consistency across certification agencies.
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