Pennsylvania Certified Organic Transfers Forest Grown Verification Program to United Plant Savers
Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is excited to announce the transfer of the PCO Forest Grown Verification Program to United Plant Savers (UpS) effective March 15, 2019. UpS’s mission is to protect native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada and their native  habitat while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. PCO sees UpS as the perfect home from the Forest Grown Verification Program in order to foster its growth and continued success.
The PCO Forest Grown Verification Program was established in 2014 with the purpose of creating a voluntary, third party verification for non-timber forest grown products that are produced and harvested in a sustainable and legal manner. This program benefits producers by building consumer confidence, demand and premium pricing; protecting forest “crop” in the event of theft, lend development and legal matters through documentation; and may provide exemptions around wild stewarding plants. The program standards currently apply to producers, harvesters, processors and handlers of eleven forest botanical products from private forestland in the United States.
To read the full story, click here.
Spring 2019 Organic Matters Available Now
Featured articles include:
PA's High Performance Farms Initiative: PCO joins partners to support innovative farming practices, page 2
Your Voice on Organic Integrity: Insider tips on providing input to the National Organic Standards Board, page 3
Opportunities for Marketing Organic Grain: High demand and price premiums for domestic corn and soybeans boost local market participation for PA grain farmers, page 4
Compost Matters: An emotional debate or a rational discussion?, page 6
We are looking for feedback on Organic Matters from our PCO members.
Please take just a few moments of your time to make sure we hear your opinions and suggestions so Organic Matters can best serve your interests. Click here to take a short Organic Matters survey!
If you are not a PCO member and would you like a copy of Organic Matters delivered to your mailbox, join today. Sign up to become a PCO member and receive this great membership benefit, among others!
USDA Seeks Public Comments on Conservation Practice Standards
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) announced today it is seeking public input on its existing national conservation practice standards as part of implementing the 2018 Farm Bill. NRCS offers 150-plus conservation practices to America’s farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to help them meet their business and natural resource needs on their working lands. NRCS is requesting public comments on how to improve conservation practice standards that support programs. The comment period ends April 25, 2019.
To learn more, click here.
NOP Proposed Rule: Amendments to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (Crops and Handling) - Public comment deadline is April 16, 2019
The National Organic Program (NOP) published a proposed rule that amends the organic regulations at §§205.600-205.606, The National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (the National List). The comment period for this draft rule is now open; comments will be accepted until April 16, 2019. Full text of this document is available in hard copy by contacting the PCO office, or at the link below (at end of email).
Proposed Additions and Amendments to the National List – Comments due 4/16/2019
This proposed rule would add two substances to the National List for use in organic crop production and reclassify one substance used in organic handling:
• Elemental Sulfur (Crops) – This rule proposes to add elemental sulfur for use as a molluscicide in organic crop production
• Polyoxin D Zinc Salt (Crops) – This rule proposed to add polyoxin D zinc salt to control fungal diseases in organic crop production
• Magnesium chloride (Handling) – This rule proposes to reclassify magnesium chloride from an allowed synthetic to an allowed nonsynthetic ingredient in organic handling.
Instructions for Submitting Public Comment
Written public comments must be received by 11:59PM ET April 16, 2019. Contact Valerie Frances (202-720-3252) for questions. Submit written comments online via Regulations.gov, or by mail to Valerie Frances, Standards Division, National Organic Program, USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Include docket number AMS-NOP-18-0051; NOP-18-02, and/or Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0581-AD80.
Comments or questions can also be submitted to Jen at the PCO office, 814-422-0251.
Federal Register Notice: 2019 National List Amendments Proposed Rule
Summit comments here
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E-news Sponsor Opportunities!
We can feature your full color 600 x 600 pixel display ad here with a live link to your website. Spread the word about your business while supporting PCO! To advertise/sponsor, contact april@paorganic.org or visit the advertising page of our website. |
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Events
APRIL 10, 2–3PM
APRIL 13, 10AM–2PM
Kutztown, PA
APRIL 19
PCO Office Closed
Good Friday
APRIL 24–26
Seattle, Washington
MAY 2, 10AM–3PM
Belleville, PA
MAY 20–23
Washington, DC
MAY 21, 10AM–2PM
Moyers Dairy Farm
Towanda, PA
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Classifieds
CROPS
Organic wrapped round baled sorghum, please call for info and price. Lab report available. Randal Van Horn, 570-412- 0899. Northumberland County.
EQUIPMENT
-13 Foot S-tine harrow like-new condition. Excellent for seed prep. $3,000.00.
-642 Ford Combine “Claas” 14-foot grain head, 4 row corn head. 2,000 hours- excellent condition.
-1710 John Deer 11 shank chisel plow, excellent condition. Please contact Ron Gargasz (landline) 724-530-7220, (cell) 724-730-6488, or email at rgargaszfarms@gmail.com. Lawrence County.
SERVICES
Ag plastic recycling — I can use black and white bunker covers, bale wrap, plastic twine, clear stretch film, greenhouse covers, flats, and pots. Call for details. 717-658-9660. Franklin County, PA.
LAND FOR SALE/RENT
Organic Grazing Dairy for sale in Massachusetts — milk contract with local creamery included. Profitable on-farm retail shop, healthy cows and soils, buildings and equipment in excellent condition. Details at www.sidehillfarm.net/listing
To see the complete classifieds listings or to post an ad, click here.
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Member News
A Warm Welcome to Our March New Members
Newly Certified
Basciani Foods, Inc
Keystone Family Farms, LLC
Grassfed
Amos E. Stoltzfus
Business
Agri-Dynamics
Alltech
Join PCO as an Advocate and receive:
Invitations to exclusive meetings and workshops
PCO swag, like our beautiful, full-color calendar
Free classified ad listings
Monthly eNewsletter subscription
Organic Matters
Access to support staff
Engage with and influence the organic community while enjoying all Advocate Member benefits PLUS:
Voting rights for PCO standards and policies
PCO and OMRI materials lists
PCO Certification Manual
Becoming a Business Member is great way to show your customers that you support the organic movement! Receive the same benefits as Sustainer Members, plus discounts on advertising that targets your core demographic.
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