NOP Proposed Rule: Origin of Livestock (Dairy)
Comment deadline is December 2, 2019

The National Organic Program (NOP) has reopened the comment period for the Origin of Livestock proposed rule originally published in 2015. This rule that would amend the NOP regulations regarding the origin of livestock that produce milk for an organic operation (e.g. heifers/cows, goats, sheep). The NOP will accept written comments on this proposed rule until December 2, 2019.

The NOP is specifically requesting comments on the following topics:

1. The cost and benefit analysis presented in the proposed rule, including assumptions and estimates, of limiting dairy transition to a one-time exception for a given producer.

o What is the difference in cost between a transitioned heifer and an organic heifer?

o What is the state of heifer development operations? What is the typical size of these operations? Do these operations typically manage heifers organically from the last third of gestation, or are they transitioned?

 

2. Procedures that certifying agents would use under this proposal to determine whether a producer is eligible for the one-time transition.

 

3. The proposed implementation approach for this rule.

 

 

 

 

 

We would like to thank all of our members and supporters for attending our annual membership meeting (either in person or remotely) on Wednesday, October 16th. Our membership meeting is a great time to connect with others growers, processors and the PCO board and staff. This year’s meeting gave all those present an opportunity to weigh-in on some strategic initiatives crafted by the advisory board. We are grateful for the insightful conversation which will help us navigate our work in the growing organic industry. We are planning another membership gathering in early 2020, so stay tuned for details.

 

 

Those who were able to join us for our annual meeting were delighted with organic stories from this year’s membership award recipients. Annually, our board, staff and inspectors nominate PCO members for our membership awards. This year’s recipients were:

Red Hawk Rise Organic, LLC - Harpers Ferry, WV  

Carversville Farm Foundation is a non-profit that produces fresh, sustainable food specifically for donation to populations who lack access to a balanced diet while offering workshops and information exchanges to support more sustainable farming methods. In all they do, the farm focuses on regenerating the agro-ecosystem.

 

PCO Presents 2018 Annual Report 

At our annual membership meeting we present the state of PCO and offer our prior year in review to our membership. Below we have shared the document for perusal. As always, feel free to contact the PCO office if you have any questions (pco@paorganic.org or 814-422-0251).

With current headlines like "We've Hit Peak Farmers Market" & "Why a Traditional CSA is No Longer Enough" farmers across the product spectrum are looking to protect their future prospects. New sales channels can be scary; especially one called Institutions. No farmer likes the idea of getting a lower price for products. But what if you had a way to measure your potential profit at competitive wholesale pricing and appropriate production scale? And what if selling higher quantities to fewer buyers suddenly looked easier than Direct-to-Consumer sales? Through a free 2-day intensive workshop followed up with a full year of mentoring, including 3 roundtable peer discussions, Kitchen Table Consultants will answer all of these questions and more.

If you would like to definitively answer if your farm business can break into the wholesale market, this is your opportunity to do so. If the answer is yes, Kitchen Table Consultants will keep working with your through the follow-up and follow through to help get you to the finish line.

For more info, click here. 

This free series is made possible by PA Preferred, PA Department of Agriculture, and Pennsylvania Farm to School Network.