The Organic Trade Association (OTA) weighed in with a comment to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to support modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico. In its written comment, submitted on June 12, 2017, OTA pointed out the importance of NAFTA to U.S.
Can a voluntary checkoff program work? That’s the question the Organic Trade Association faces as it moves toward a voluntary organic check-off.
I was deeply disappointed to see your newspaper publish “The Organic Industry is Lying to You” by Henry Miller (Opinion, August 6) Mr. Miller’s piece reflects his deep bias against organic, and his pattern over the years of misinforming the public through his misleading and inaccurate pieces about organic.
The USDA terminated the proposed rule for an organic check-off program in May due to a “lack of consensus within the industry in support for the proposed program.” The agency’s unexpected move shocked the program’s proponents, while opponents breathed sighs of relief. The question left on the table now is how to fund the research and promotion of organic that both sides agree are needed.
Hmong farmers Blia and Phua Thao put their 40-plus years of experience to work in Spring Valley, where they grow organic produce entirely by hand.
Today’s American organic sector is making a positive difference for us all and has become an integral part of our lives. Indeed, organic agriculture, regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Program, is benefiting farmers and consumers, businesses of all sizes, rural and urban communities — in Michigan and throughout the nation.
Some see organic farming as a sure-fire way to improve struggling farm communities. Others say it will take a lot more than higher premiums to make a lasting economic difference.
You see the labels out there — organic, cage-free, natural — but what does it all mean?
As for any advocacy activity, it is important to know the local administration and political landscape, the political alliances that are in place, the attitudes of different parties and administration units toward environmental issues in general.
New research showing organic farming more effectively restores soil carbon and reduces the cause of climate change compared to conventional techniques could sway more shoppers to buy organic – especially as conscious consumerism continues to rise.