Top 5 - Organic News to Help You Grow #341

1. Organic Pear Availability Sees Boost in 2023 Pacific Northwest Crop 

Northwest pears got a slightly earlier harvest start and will also finish up early this fall. “We will finish a few weeks earlier than last year due to a condensed growing season,” says Cat Gipe-Stewart, director of marketing with Superfresh Growers.  Read More

2. URI Named Lead Researcher on $3.5 Million USDA OREI Organic Food Safety Research Grant

The University of Rhode Island and The Organic Center are pleased to announce a new collaboration on an important organic food safety research project, enabled by a $3.5 million grant recently awarded through the USDA's Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program.  Read More

3. Scientists to Study Grazing in Organic Orchards 

Grazing sheep and other livestock can help convert cover crops to fertilizer for orchard crops. To develop best management practices, the University of California and The Organic Center are collaborating on research to help organic orchard growers safely incorporate livestock grazing into their farming practices.  Read More

4. Why Cuba’s Turn Toward Organic Farming Succeeded While Sri Lanka’s Collapsed 

Cuba is now a laboratory and research field for US experiments in organic food production. The United States hopes to learn from the Cubans’ experience with organic production. The USDA and the Cuban agriculture ministry signed an agreement during Obama’s visit last week that included calls for sharing information and research on organic farming practices.  Read More

5. Bayer and Dollar General Partner to Increase Fruit and Vegetable Access Outside School Hours 

Bayer and Dollar General have partnered on a campaign to help K-12 school districts around the country provide nutritional support for kids and their families outside of traditional school hours. Through this partnership, students receive a coupon for fresh produce, redeemable at local Dollar General stores that now offer fresh fruit and vegetables.  Read More