Top 5 - Organic News to Help You Grow#300

1. Organic Seed Alliance Publishes 2023 Policy Platform

Organic Seed Alliance (OSA) published a comprehensive policy platform today for advancing equitable and resilient seed systems in the next Farm Bill and—beyond. The platform provides recommendations on how Congress, regulatory agencies, and state governments can support organic seed producers and the diversity of our national seed supply.   Read More

2. Washington Apple Industry Loses Organic Sales Pioneer

Matt Miles, 49, a longtime organic salesman in the Washington apple industry, passed peacefully on December 7. A 27-year veteran of the apple industry, Miles made a name for himself in organic apple sales dating back to 1997 with a variety of companies, including FirstFruits Marketing and L&M Northwest.   Read More

3. Dole Releases 2022 Sustainability Report

This week, Dole plc announced the release of its first sustainability report since the 2021 merger of Total Produce plc and Dole Food Company. Building on its historical achievements, this report sets out the organization’s refreshed sustainability framework and offers a new set of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals through 2030.   Read More

4. Researchers Work to Improve Organic Sweet Potato Production in SC

Organic farming continues to become more popular but offers South Carolina sweet potato farmers fewer options for controlling costly weeds and nematodes than conventional farming methods. To help give organic farmers new weapons to use against these challenges, a team of Clemson University researchers has received a grant from the USDA-NIFA Organic Transitions Program.   Read More

5. OFRF & FFAR Fund Research on Organic Farming System for BIPOC and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are pleased to announce its third award for the 2021/22 OFRF organic research grant cycle. Dr. Jennifer Taylor of Lola’s Organic Farm was awarded $20,000 to conduct participatory research and outreach to build capacity for access to and engagement in organic farming systems and organic agriculture for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and socially disadvantaged farmers.   Read More