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.

Join us to:

• 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.

Meeting Resources

A seeds of success event in partnership with:

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.

Full agenda

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

THANK YOU EVENT CO-SPONSORS

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.

Full agenda
Meeting resources

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.

THANK YOU EVENT Co-SPONSORS

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

• NOC Spring 2025 Comments to the NOSB

• NOSB Proposals and Discussion Documents

• NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting Resources

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/

NOC is hosting a virtual Organic Summit

Tuesday, May 20, from 1 to 4.30 pm ET

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.

Join NOC & Oregon Tilth:

Helping Organic Producers Access NRCS Programs

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

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Meeting

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).

Pre-NOSB Meeting

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.

NOSB Meeting

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.

MEETING REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

Please reach out to alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org

Farmer Scholarships

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:

Join us at the NOSB Reception on
Tuesday, October 22nd!

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

• NOC Blog Post on Barriers to Organic Certification: 

• Human Capital 2023 Report: From Resource to Action: Building a Diverse Equitable, and Inclusive Community of Organic Professionals 

• Human Capital 2022 Report: DEI Resources for Organic Professionals

• Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) 2022 NORA report

• National Young Farmers 2022 Survey

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

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Meeting

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).

Registration for the Milwaukee TOPP meeting is closed!
Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you would like to attend.

Pre-NOSB Meeting

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.

NOSB Meeting

Information about the Milwaukee NOSB Meeting can be found here.

NOSB Meeting Reception

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.

Registration for the Milwaukee Pre-NOSB meeting is closed!
Please email alice@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you would like to attend.

Farmer Scholarships

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:

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Meeting

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.

NOSB Meeting

Information about the Milwaukee NOSB Meeting can be found here.

NOSB Meeting Reception

NOSB Reception – 6 – 8 pm, Monday, April 29 – free & open to organic community members; (details here). Register here.  

Join NOC for a virtual meeting on:

Demystifying the National Organic Standards Board

What it is, how it works, and how it impacts your farm

January 30, 2024 | 1 - 2.30 pm ET

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

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:

A Deep Dive Into the New Organic Animal Welfare Rules

Friday, December 8, from 12 to 1.30 pm Eastern

(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:

Key Outcomes from the Fall 2023 NOSB Meeting & NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting in Providence, RI

Tuesday, November 14, from 2 to 3.30 pm Eastern

(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. 

Pre-NOSB Meeting

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.

Farmer Scholarships

**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.]

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Meeting

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

*** Registration is closed - please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org if you have not registered but would like to attend the meeting!***

Thank you to the Pre-NOSB meeting co-sponsors:

The National Organic Coalition is hosting a zoom discussion for NOC Members & Network Affiliates:

2023 Farm Bill Briefing:

Opportunities & Threats for Organic 

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:

Key Outcomes from the Spring 2023 NOSB Meeting & NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting in Atlanta, GA 

Wednesday, May 17 from 3 to 4:30 pm eastern

(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.

Register below by Monday, May 15 to participate in this event. 

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).

The Pre-NOSB meeting will include:

• 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.

Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) Meeting

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.

Please register using the form below by Thursday, April 20th.

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:

The National Organic Coalition is hosting a conference call on:

The Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule

January 31 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm eastern

(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.

The NOC team will describe highlights from the Fall 2022 National Organic Standards Board Meeting and NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting in Sacramento.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED. Please email Abby Youngblood (abby@nationalorganiccoalition.org) for 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 discuss the following topics:

• Key takeaways – Q&A with National Organic Program at NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting

• NOSB topics:

  • Essentiality

  • Fraud

  • Climate-Smart Ag

  • NOSB Board Support

• A look ahead at the NOSB’s work agenda

• Highlights from the NOC Pre-NOSB Meeting panels:

  • Growing Organic Markets

  • Empowering Immigrant & Low-Resource Farmers

  • Key Findings from Report on DEI in the Organic Movement

• NOC’s 2023 Farm Bill Platform Highlights

Background

• NOC Fall 2022 Comments to the NOSB: https://app.box.com/s/7n1f1czyar9xg89nhhal83yqsmau9qjq

• NOSB Proposals and Discussion Documents: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/NOSBMeetingPacketOctober2022.pdf

• NOC 2023 Farm Bill Recommendations - Highlights: https://app.box.com/file/1045418230034

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 productive engagement around critical issues of organic integrity for diverse stakeholders in the organic community.

The work of the NOSB is critical to maintaining the integrity of the 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/

Join NOC on Monday, October 24 in Sacramento, CA for the Fall 2022 Pre-NOSB Meeting. This is an in-person event! The Pre-NOSB meeting will take place from 9 am to 5 pm PT at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown (same location as NOSB meeting). We have a great agenda planned, including presentations & discussions about the recently announced USDA Organic Transition Initiative, organic priorities for the 2023 Farm Bill, a Q&A with Jenny Tucker from the National Organic Program, a conversation about supporting limited-resource aspiring farmers, a preview of the hot topics at the NOSB meeting (including organic acreage reporting to deter fraud), a farmer panel, and more!

The meeting format is a roundtable discussion, which promotes dialogue, open participation, and networking. The event is free and open to all organic stakeholders.

• The meeting agenda is now available here!

• Other meeting resources are available here.

Online pre-registration for this meeting has now closed. Please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org with any questions or if you plan to attend, but did not register for the meeting in advance.

Thank you to our meeting co-sponsors:

For any questions, please email info@nationalorganiccoalition.org.

For meeting participants: We encourage participants to wear a well-fitting mask during the meeting except while eating or drinking. We will provide masks and hand sanitizer. We ask that anyone who is feeling ill or showing any covid symptoms refrains from taking part. NOC will continue to monitor local, CDC, and the hotel’s covid guidance and update this policy as needed.

The National Organic Coalition is hosting a conference call:

Advancing Organic in the 2023 Farm Bill

Thursday, August 11, from 2:00 to 3:00 pm eastern

(call begins at 1:00 pm central, 12:00 pm mountain, 11:00 am pacific)

Join NOC Policy Director, Steve Etka, and Executive Director, Abby Youngblood, to discuss NOC’s 2023 farm bill platform. NOC will describe our vision to advance organic through the farm bill legislation. 

We will discuss:

• 2023 farm bill context – the political backdrop and funding environment for the 2023 farm bill.

• Organic Stewardship Program – NOC’s proposal to create an $80 million program to streamline & increase organic certification cost share reimbursements and provide technical support & mentorship to existing and transitioning organic farmers.

• Supporting the NOSB – staff assistants for National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) members, stipends for farmers and under-resourced organizations, and our strategy to defend against efforts to weaken the role of the NOSB.

• Equity – using an equity lens to ensure farm bill policies promote equitable access to organic agriculture.

• Addressing regulatory bottlenecks at USDA –proposals to 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.

• Organic Research - research is key to tackling the many challenges facing organic farmers.  NOC is asking for increased funding for organic research, to keep pace with the growing organic sector. 

• And more! NOC will be making recommendations for the inclusion of organic provisions across farm bill titles, including commodities, crop insurance, conservation, energy, nutrition, and horticulture. 

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. 

 REGISTRATION IS CLOSED>