Podcasts about national organic standards board

#215:  Missouri farmer Liz Graznak tells Linley about facing the season after the very recent funding cuts have left her operation, Happy Hollow Farm, without a quarter of its regular sales channels. Many organic farmers have found themselves in the same ill-timed situation this spring, having bought their seed and started many crops weeks ago, only to learn they will not be supplying local schools and institutions with their food.Liz Graznak founded Real Organic Project-certified Happy Hollow Farm in Columbia, Missouri in 2010 after earning her Master's Degree in Plant Breeding from Cornell University. Her farm has grown into a thriving 16-acre diversified operation with veggies, flowers and laying hens. Liz recently served on the National Organic Standards Board and was recognized as Organic Farmer of the Year at Marbleseed (MOSES) in 2021.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://realorganicproject.org/liz-graznak-surprise-25-percent-market-gone-215The Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/directoryWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/Are you an organic farmer looking to communicate the premium quality of your milk, meat, fruits, veggies, or CSA shares to shoppers? Through our no-cost, add-on certification to USDA certified-organic, Real Organic Project aims to bring organic back to its high-integrity roots, prioritizing healthy soil, humane treatment of animals, labor protections and a more regionally based agriculture for community well-being. The application deadline is coming up on Tuesday, April

In this episode of the Acres USA podcast, host Taylor Henry interviews Harriet Behar, an organic inspector and educator, about sustainable farming practices and the prevention of organic fraud in the supply chain. Behar shares her extensive experience with organic farming, describing her work on her certified organic farm and her involvement with the National Organic Standards Board and the Organic Farmers Association. The discussion focuses on recent regulatory changes to strengthen organic enforcement and improvements in organic livestock standards, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity in the organic certification process.

#153: Real Organic dairy farmer and former National Organic Standards Board member Francis Thicke gives the crowd at Churchtown Dairy a view through the lens of his education and decades-long career. He also shares how he believes dairies like his own (Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, Iowa) can still fetch a premium for their standout products.Francis Thicke owns and operates Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, Iowa with his wife Susan, which produces milk, cream, cheese, and yogurt on site . He has worked for the USDA as a soil scientist and has served on the National Organic Standards Board. Francis currently serves on the Real Organic Project Executive Board.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/francis-thicke-journey-to-real-organic-episode-one-hundred-fifty-threeThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

The USDA published the new Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Standard.  While the Organic Trade Association is touting the new standards as a “win” for animal welfare and the organic label, Joel isn't buying it.  Meanwhile, the National Organic Standards Board just “allowed” a potentially dangerous chemical to be added to organic livestock.  Join us as Joel breaks down the latest food news and provides solutions.Join the Beyond Labels Family and access the entire episode here: https://beyondlabels.supportingcast.fm/Follow on InstagramFollow on TwitterSubscribe on RumbleSubscribe on YouTubeFind Joel Here: www.polyfacefarms.comFind Sina Here: www.drsinamccullough.comDisclaimer:  The information provided by Joel Salatin and Sina McCullough, PhD is not intended to prevent, diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.  The information provided in the podcasts, videos, and show descriptions is for educational purposes only.  It is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical or psychological condition.  The information provided is not meant to prevent, treat, mitigate or cure such conditions.  The information provided is not medical advice nor is it designed to replace advice, information, or prescriptions you receive from your healthcare provider.  Consult your health care provider before making any changes to your diet, medication, or lifestyle.  Proceed at your own risk.Joel Salatin and Sina McCullough, Ph.D. specifically disclaim any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that may be incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the contents of their YouTube channel, Podcast, websites, books, Facebook pages, or any of the content during consulting sessions or speaking engagements.  Proceed at your own risk.  These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

#133: Retired Minnesota berry farmer and founder of the International Organic Inspectors Association Jim Riddle discusses his time on the National Organic Standards Board, including the culture of a revolving door of corporate lobbyists.Jim Riddle is the founder of Blue Fruit Farm, an organic blueberry farm in Minnesota, as well as the Winona Farmers Market and the International Organic Inspectors Association. He has served on the National Organic Standards Board in a farmer seat, and on the Real Organic Project Advisory Board.https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-riddle-a3bb3912/To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/jim-riddle-lobbyist-access-usda-episode-one-hundred-thirty-threeThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:

#128: In the second half of our interview with Dr. Dave Mortensen, we hear about the events that  led to his resignation from the National Organic Standards Board, as well his thoughts around the off-base claims of "environmental consciousness" being presented today by Big Ag companies.Dave Mortensen heads the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems department at the University of New Hampshire. He was the Distinguished Professor of Weed and Applied Plant Ecology at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and has also served as a farming systems ecotoxicology expert on the National Organic Standards Board.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/dave-mortensen-false-claims-from-big-ag-episode-one-hundred-twenty-eightThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#127: Longtime researcher and plant ecologist Dave Mortensen brings to light the increased use of herbicides and pesticides in modern agriculture. Through our nation's dedication to monocropping practices and planting fence row to fence row, we have eliminated natural defense systems in the majority of our fields, which cannot be solved through conciliatory cover cropping programs. Dave Mortensen heads the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems department at the University of New Hampshire. He was the Distinguished Professor of Weed and Applied Plant Ecology at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and has also served as a farming systems ecotoxicology expert on the National Organic Standards Board.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/dave-mortensen-todays-drastic-rise-biocides-episode-one-hundred-twenty-sevenThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Alexis Baden-Mayer is a lawyer who has worked since 2005 as the Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association (www.organicconsumers.org), a network of more than 1 million activists committed to creating a healthy, just, democratic and regenerative food system. Alexis is a key organizer of some of OCA's most popular campaigns, including the "Monsanto Makes Us Sick" campaign to ban Roundup. Alexis isn't afraid to put her body on the line to call attention to the crisis in our food system. In 2014, the US Health Freedom Congress awarded Alexis a Health Freedom Award for direct actions she's taken that resulted in her arrest, including shutting down the National Organic Standards Board meeting to protest the weakening of organic standards and entering the White House grounds to deliver a petition to First Lady Michelle Obama in support of GMO labels, one of Barack Obama's unfulfilled campaign pledges. Ever since USDA started the National Organic Program more than 20 years ago, I have been hoping I was wrong about the real purpose of the program, i.e. to gradually make the term "organic" meaningless and to get people averse to eating inferior foods and toxins to consume them anyway. Today the issue is even more critical, as our food supply and consumer products are not just knowingly produced with so many government-approved poisons, but now we also find nanotech and genetic weapon technology is added into the mix. This is the type of bioweapon also being injected into the bodies of billions of unsuspecting people worldwide in the guise of "public health." Top OCA attorney Alexis Baden-Mayer has been working for a long time to protect the integrity of organic foods and organic consumer products. I felt it would be great to get an update from her on the organic movement and where we go next.

#104: Real Organic farmer and former NOSB memberEmily Oakley shares her thoughts on tillage, the regenerative  movement, and transforming her farming practices with hopes of replacing off-farm inputs with homegrown fertility.Emily Oakley owns and operate Three Springs Farm with her husband Mike Appel outside of  Tulsa, OK. She served on the National Organic Standards Board from 2016 - 2021 and is a current member of the Real Organic Project's Advisory Board. Emily received a Masters in International Agricultural Development from UC Davis. You can learn more about Real Organic Project-certified Three Springs Farm here:http://threespringsfarm.com/about-usTo watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/emily-oakley-growing-fertility-on-farm-episode-one-hundred-fourThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/This year we are tackling two incredibly important subjects: the cooption of Regenerative Agriculture by chemical no- till and whether or not all Tillage us problematic. Is Regenerative agriculture organic? Is organic agriculture regenerative? Should there be a real regenerative project or should farmers stay silent so as not to dilute this new brand they've invested in? After another round of 50 interviews with thought-leaders in the organic movement, including Michael Pollan, Eliot Colem

Welcome back to the Period Chats Podcast! Today we get to hear from Sandi Kronick, the CEO of Happy Dirt. Based in Durham, Happy Dirt is an organic wholesale and distribution company. Ever since Sandi started it in 2004, they've been supporting local farmers who grow organic food. They do this by building up infrastructures like trucking and marketing, so that farmers can focus on their soil, and crops, and build a future for themselves and their families. So many questions have come my way about organic food, so today you've come to the right place; we're about to learn SO MUCH from Sandi. The term “Organic” is legally regulated through the federal government. In the food and agriculture space, this single word means that a farm is adhering to hundred of pages of regulatory work that includes disallowing most synthetic products, as well as disallowed non-synthetic products in growing their crops (they still may use natural pesticides like garlic). The National Organic Standards Board oversees this and shows zero tolerance for things like harmful conventional pesticides and GMO's, so consumers can rest assured that organic food has been through the relevant inspections. They also have a commitment to wholistic practices like crop rotation. Some people think that organic and conventional foods are the same, and that the label is kinda BS… and maybe cheaper price motivates this convenient belief! I used to be one of those people - but it turns out I felt better when I switched to organic, and it also turns out there's science behind why. Our bodies don't process certain synthetic pesticides well. Plus, many of the conventional pesticides that farmers are allowed to use in the U.S. can kill our off our gut microbiomes. We all know Preventative health is more efficient and less stressful than having to treat illnesses that could have been prevented upstream. So, as more and more data accumulates on the matter, a growing number of doctors believe that eating organic is a worthwhile preventative health measure. We talk about how Sandi's company contributes to the world of organics, cares about maintaining consumer trust, and ensures that the principles of organic farming stay intact. We also talk about regenerative farming, which is a different but related thing to organic farming, and how some farms are doing both. Currently, there isn't a certification program for regenerative farming, or a set definition yet, but that may be coming soon. Sandi reminds us why it's important to go to our local farmer's markets, and how not everyone there is an organic farmer but they're all still heroes. She suggests some questions might be helpful to ask while there. Most states have an umbrella non-profit that connects citizens to farmers and farmers markets, so make sure you check for your state's local food finder. I LOVED hearing about all the work that goes into organic food, and I know we'll all feel more connected to our food and our bodies after this episode! Learn More Happy Dirt's https://happydirt.com/

Listen as Todd shares his thoughts on the discussion document on climate smart agriculture presented by the National Organic Standards Board. Todd has a lot to say about this in a short period of time.

Self-Cell Care is joined by Alexis Baden-Mayer, Esq.Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association. Have a question for Alexis or Jodi? Call in at 515-605-9325 and Listen or press 1 to speak.   The OCA has fought against GMO foods and toxic chemicals, exposing their dangers and in some countries bringing about mandatory bans (Mexico) and/or labelling and safety-testing. (USA and Europe) Now Bill Gates, the gene engineers, the World Economic Forum, and the Davos “Great Reset” technocrats, who anticipated and profited off of COVID and the lockdowns, have a bold new plan to shove down our throats: get rid of small farms and replace with lab-engineered fake food.   Alexis Baden-Mayer is a lawyer who has worked since 2005 as the Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association, a network of more than 1 million activists committed to creating a healthy, just, democratic and regenerative food system. Alexis is a key organizer of some of OCA's most popular campaigns, including the "Monsanto Makes Us Sick" campaign to ban Roundup. Alexis isn't afraid to put her body on the line to call attention to the crisis in our food system. In 2014, the US Health Freedom Congress awarded Alexis a Health Freedom Award for direct actions she's taken that resulted in her arrest, including shutting down the National Organic Standards Board meeting to protest the weakening of organic standards and entering the White House grounds to deliver a petition to First Lady Michelle Obama in support of GMO labels, one of Barack Obama's unfulfilled campaign pledges. Alexis's proudest moment as an activist came in 2016 when Bernie Sanders tweeted a CSPAN video clip of her dumping "Monsanto Money" on the Senate floor to protest the corrupting influence of money in politics.

Self-Cell Care is joined by Alexis Baden-Mayer, Esq.Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association. Have a question for Alexis or Jodi? Call in at 515-605-9325 and Listen or press 1 to speak . The OCA has fought against GMO foods and toxic chemicals, exposing their dangers and, in some countries bringing about mandatory bans (Mexico) and/or labelling and safety-testing (the USA and Europe). Now Bill Gates, the gene engineers, the World Economic Forum, and the Davos "Great Reset" technocrats, who anticipated and profited off of COVID and the lockdowns, have a bold new plan to shove down our throats: get rid of small farms and replace with lab-engineered fake food. Alexis Baden-Mayer is a lawyer who has worked since 2005 as the Political Director of the Organic Consumers Association, a network of more than 1 million activists committed to creating a healthy, just, democratic and regenerative food system. Alexis is a key organizer of some of OCA's most popular campaigns, including the "Monsanto Makes Us Sick" campaign to ban Roundup. Alexis isn't afraid to put her body on the line to call attention to the crisis in our food system. In 2014, the US Health Freedom Congress awarded Alexis a Health Freedom Award for direct actions she's taken that resulted in her arrest, including shutting down the National Organic Standards Board meeting to protest the weakening of organic standards and entering the White House grounds to deliver a petition to First Lady Michelle Obama in support of GMO labels, one of Barack Obama's unfulfilled campaign pledges. Alexis's proudest moment as an activist came in 2016 when Bernie Sanders tweeted a CSPAN video clip of her dumping "Monsanto Money" on the Senate floor to protest the corrupting influence of money in politics.

#060: Dairy farmer Francis Thicke returns to share a behind the scenes (in the field) look into how he manages his cows and pasture on his organic, grass-fed creamery in Iowa. He also discusses operations that run counter to his family-farm approach; the large-scale confinement dairies  also selling milk under the USDA organic label, who utilize an industrial-factory approach with the help of some key government subsidies.Francis Thicke owns and operates Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, Iowa with his wife Susan, which produces milk, cream, cheese, and yogurt on site . He has worked for the USDA as a soil scientist and has served on the National Organic Standards Board. Francis currently serves on the Real Organic Project Executive Board.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/francis-thicke-importance-of-a-farmer-led-system-episode-sixtyThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#057: Organic dairy farmer Kevin Engelbert speaks to the insurmountable hardships that illegal producers, corrupt certifiers and unethical politicians have cemented into the marketplace in recent years. Beginning with the unlawful certification of the Aurora Dairy CAFO in Colorado during his time on the National Organic Standards Board, Kevin has experienced more downs than ups as he tries to sell his organic milk and grain alongside fraudulent products with slick packaging.Kevin Engelbert is a 6th generation dairy farmer from upstate New York who operates the very first certified-organic dairy farm in the US with his wife Lisa and their sons. He is a former member of the National Organic Standards Board.To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/kevin-engelbert-calling-out-corruption-organic-dairy-episode-fifty-sevenThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends:https://www.realorganicproject.org/real-organic-friends/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

First generation farmer Nate Powell-Palm shares his inspiring story of starting his farming career at the age of 12 and adding pulses to his grain and livestock rotation.  Nate is located near Bozeman Montana and currently farms organic pulse crops, oilseeds, cereals, and livestock. Beginning on his parent's ten acres in 2004, Nate now farms around 1,000 acres spread across 12 different landlords. He also serves on the National Organic Standards Board and has been an organic inspector for about ten years where he has visited over 3,000 farms across 44 states.   In this episode, we talk about his story of getting started in farming, what his organic production system looks like, how his picture ended up on the box of Annie's Mac N Cheese, and what he has learned from others on his farming journey.  “General Mills, owner of Annie's Mac N Cheese, developed a product saying we're going to make it with one-third yellow pea flour. And they said, Nate, you want to grow some yellow peas? And I'd never grown yellow peas, but I'm like, I'll try anything. And it just ended up being this super good fit for my region.” - Nate Powell-Palm Nate has grown his operation and maintained it with an organic certification. He has found success in having a diverse production profile and that has included pulse crops. By incorporating pulses he has appreciated better soil health, improved soil fertility, better yields and an effective natural weed control.  “What I've learned through not only farming, but organic farming especially, is diversity pays. And so if you're going to be at all a producer you'll want to have more than just one stream of income.” -Nate Powell-Palm This Week on https://www.growingpulsecrops.com/ (Growing Pulse Crops): Meet Nate Powell-Palm, an organic farmer in Montana Discover the journey that led Nate to becoming a producer and organic inspector Explore what introduced pulse crops into his rotation and the value he has observed from using them https://www.organicagronomy.org/the-dirt-on-organic-farming (The Dirt on Organic Farming Podcast) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF3v-dL5-jg (Farmer Feature: Nate Powell-Palm) by the Montana Organic Association Growing Pulse Crops Podcast is hosted by https://www.linkedin.com/in/timhammerich/ (Tim Hammerich) of the http://www.futureofag.com (Future of Agriculture Podcast).

#040: Real Organic farmer Jennifer Taylor has successfully mentored many farmers in the Southeast through her technical assistance work at Florida AMU. With a focus on improving quality of life for farm families and modeling the organic soil-building practices that she herself uses, she inspires others to embrace real organic farming. Jennifer's work as an advocate and activist, both nationally and internationally,  played a key role in inspiring the Real Organic Project to move forward in its earliest days.Real Organic farmer and board member Jennifer Taylor founded Lola's Organic Farm on her grandmother's land a decade ago and has been an organic farming advocate for even longer. She provides technical assistance to farmers through Florida AMU in Tallahassee, served a five-year term on the National Organic Standards Board, and was recently elected to serve on the IFOAM  (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements) board. In 2019 she was awarded an Organic Pioneer for Farming award from the Rodale Institute and was named Florida's Woman of the Year in Agriculture in 2020. To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/jennifer-taylor-infusing-farmers-with-organic-experience-episode-fortyThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be. But the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but are still paying a premium price. The lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Friends!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

#034: Real Organic dairy farmer, soil scientist, and former National Organic Standards Board member Francis Thicke sheds light on how the USDA program has been lost to corporate influence.  He also shares enlightening and easy-to-follow explanations about the upsides of cows on grass.Francis Thicke owns and operates Radiance Dairy in Fairfield, Iowa with his wife Susan, which produces milk, cream, cheese, and yogurt on site . He has worked for the USDA as a soil scientist and has served on the National Organic Standards Board. Francis currently serves on the Real Organic Project Standards Board.To watch a video version of this podcast please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/francis-thicke-unpacking-industrial-takeover-of-organic-episode-thirty-fourThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce. It also identifies pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs as compared to products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be. But the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing small farms that follow the law. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but are still paying a premium price. The lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

How can farmers adapt to climate changes? How can regenerative farmers have livelihoods that nourish themselves and their communities? How can we break free of the commodity mindset and rethink the US food system? Bob Quinn's remarkable memoir of his decades living and working on a Montana farm offers unique insights into all of these pressing questions, with creativity, intelligence, and a healthy dash of humor. Quinn is a farmer and sustainable business leader. He founded a regional mill for organic and heritage grains, an organic snack company, a biofuel business, Montana's first wind farm, and Kamut International. Kamut, an ancient grain Quinn revived from a pint jar of seed found in a neighbor's basement, is now grown on 100,000 acres of certified organic cropland and made into over 3,500 products worldwide. In Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food (Island Press, 2019), co-written with Liz Carlisle, he shares the stories of these innovative projects. Through his narrative, Quinn offers readers an insightful ground-level look at the history of the organic food movement, as well as hope for the future. Bob Quinn, PhD is a leading green businessman, with successful ventures in both organic agriculture and renewable energy. Raised on a 2,400 acre wheat and cattle ranch in Montana, Quinn earned a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry at UC Davis before coming home to farm in 1978. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, which spurred the creation of the USDA's National Organic Program, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute's Organic Pioneer Award. Bob remains active in research, and has co-authored pioneering studies on the nutritional benefits of ancient grain. Susan Grelock Yusem, PhD is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/food

How can farmers adapt to climate changes? How can regenerative farmers have livelihoods that nourish themselves and their communities? How can we break free of the commodity mindset and rethink the US food system? Bob Quinn's remarkable memoir of his decades living and working on a Montana farm offers unique insights into all of these pressing questions, with creativity, intelligence, and a healthy dash of humor. Quinn is a farmer and sustainable business leader. He founded a regional mill for organic and heritage grains, an organic snack company, a biofuel business, Montana's first wind farm, and Kamut International. Kamut, an ancient grain Quinn revived from a pint jar of seed found in a neighbor's basement, is now grown on 100,000 acres of certified organic cropland and made into over 3,500 products worldwide. In Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food (Island Press, 2019), co-written with Liz Carlisle, he shares the stories of these innovative projects. Through his narrative, Quinn offers readers an insightful ground-level look at the history of the organic food movement, as well as hope for the future. Bob Quinn, PhD is a leading green businessman, with successful ventures in both organic agriculture and renewable energy. Raised on a 2,400 acre wheat and cattle ranch in Montana, Quinn earned a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry at UC Davis before coming home to farm in 1978. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, which spurred the creation of the USDA's National Organic Program, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute's Organic Pioneer Award. Bob remains active in research, and has co-authored pioneering studies on the nutritional benefits of ancient grain. Susan Grelock Yusem, PhD is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/environmental-studies

How can farmers adapt to climate changes? How can regenerative farmers have livelihoods that nourish themselves and their communities? How can we break free of the commodity mindset and rethink the US food system? Bob Quinn's remarkable memoir of his decades living and working on a Montana farm offers unique insights into all of these pressing questions, with creativity, intelligence, and a healthy dash of humor. Quinn is a farmer and sustainable business leader. He founded a regional mill for organic and heritage grains, an organic snack company, a biofuel business, Montana's first wind farm, and Kamut International. Kamut, an ancient grain Quinn revived from a pint jar of seed found in a neighbor's basement, is now grown on 100,000 acres of certified organic cropland and made into over 3,500 products worldwide. In Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food (Island Press, 2019), co-written with Liz Carlisle, he shares the stories of these innovative projects. Through his narrative, Quinn offers readers an insightful ground-level look at the history of the organic food movement, as well as hope for the future. Bob Quinn, PhD is a leading green businessman, with successful ventures in both organic agriculture and renewable energy. Raised on a 2,400 acre wheat and cattle ranch in Montana, Quinn earned a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry at UC Davis before coming home to farm in 1978. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, which spurred the creation of the USDA's National Organic Program, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute's Organic Pioneer Award. Bob remains active in research, and has co-authored pioneering studies on the nutritional benefits of ancient grain. Susan Grelock Yusem, PhD is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

How can farmers adapt to climate changes? How can regenerative farmers have livelihoods that nourish themselves and their communities? How can we break free of the commodity mindset and rethink the US food system? Bob Quinn's remarkable memoir of his decades living and working on a Montana farm offers unique insights into all of these pressing questions, with creativity, intelligence, and a healthy dash of humor. Quinn is a farmer and sustainable business leader. He founded a regional mill for organic and heritage grains, an organic snack company, a biofuel business, Montana's first wind farm, and Kamut International. Kamut, an ancient grain Quinn revived from a pint jar of seed found in a neighbor's basement, is now grown on 100,000 acres of certified organic cropland and made into over 3,500 products worldwide. In Grain by Grain: A Quest to Revive Ancient Wheat, Rural Jobs, and Healthy Food (Island Press, 2019), co-written with Liz Carlisle, he shares the stories of these innovative projects. Through his narrative, Quinn offers readers an insightful ground-level look at the history of the organic food movement, as well as hope for the future. Bob Quinn, PhD is a leading green businessman, with successful ventures in both organic agriculture and renewable energy. Raised on a 2,400 acre wheat and cattle ranch in Montana, Quinn earned a Ph.D. in plant biochemistry at UC Davis before coming home to farm in 1978. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, which spurred the creation of the USDA's National Organic Program, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute's Organic Pioneer Award. Bob remains active in research, and has co-authored pioneering studies on the nutritional benefits of ancient grain. Susan Grelock Yusem, PhD is an independent researcher trained in depth psychology, with an emphasis on community, liberation, and eco-psychologies. Her work centers around interconnection and encompasses regenerative food systems, the arts and conservation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science

Organics Unpacked Episode #15: Interview with Logan Petrey Linkenhoger, Organics Ranch Manager at Grimmway Farms National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) member Logan Petrey Linkenhoger joins Organics Unpacked to explain the board's work and impact on the National Organic Program. As the Organics Ranch Manager at Grimmway Farms, Logan also discusses the growing market share of organic vegetables, as well as future challenges in organic farming. Learn more about Avé Organics: www.aveorganics.com Learn more about the Grimmway Farms: www.grimmway.com Connect with our guest on LinkedIn #organicfarming

We're so glad you're listening, we've got Jeff Moyer, CEO at Rodale Institute joining us on the podcast. And there's a little something for everyone today! One of the really cool things about being able to sit down and visit with our guests, is how we get to dig into the story behind the stories and learn where great ideas come from, and some of them just might surprise you! As many of you know, Jeff is a world-renowned authority in organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems with a focus on weed management, cover crops, crop rotations, equipment modification use and facilities design. But Jeff is also, probably best known for conceptualizing and popularizing the No Till Roller Crimper and on this podcast, we get to hear the backstory and it's a fun one. Jeff's vast experience and knowledge regarding organic farming has provided the media with a reliable source and perspective for information on current agricultural issues. Jeff has been on staff at Rodale Institute for over 44 years, starting at Rodale Institute in 1976 in the position of farm laborer. He became Farm Manager in 1982 and later served as Farm Director, supervising research and operations of the 333-acre experimental farm for 15 years. Jeff was named executive director of the institute in 2015. Jeff was appointed CEO in September of 2019. Jeff's hands-on experience in organic agriculture brings a farmer's perspective to the research, farmer training, and consumer education conducted by Rodale Institute. Jeff was project leader on the highly acclaimed Organic No-Till project and is the author of the book on this subject: “Organic No-Till Farming – Advancing No-Till Agriculture Crops, Soil, Equipment.” In conjunction with his position at Rodale Institute, Jeff currently serves as Board Chair of the Regenerative Organic Alliance and holds a director's position on the board of the Soil Health Institute. He previously served as Chair of the National Organic Standards Board, a founding Board Member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, Chairman of the Board of The Seed Farm, part of the Green America Non-GMO Working Group, a Project Member of The Soil Renaissance Project, and a Board Member of PA Farm Link. As CEO, Jeff focuses on strategic planning, outreach monitoring and fund-raising activities. He also supervises the research, training, and education mission of Rodale Institute, as well as act as liaison the board of directors and the Rodale Institute campuses across the country. https://rodaleinstitute.org/ https://www.facebook.com/rodaleinstitute Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge 2021 stage or on the podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm We'd love to hear from you!

#007: Real Organic farmer Emily Oakley shares her experiences serving on the National Organic Standards Board during the infamous and shocking vote to allow Hydroponics into USDA organic in 2017. She also shares what it's like living next to a chicken CAFO (confined animal feeding operation) in Oklahoma, whether to buy or grow fertility on farms, and how she believes that farmers like her desperately need the solidarity and support of the Real Organic Project to stay in business.Emily Oakley farms with her husband Mike Appel at Three Springs Farm in Oklahoma. She is a former National Organic Standards Board member and currently served in the Real Organic Project's Advisory Board. To watch a video version of this podcast with access to the full transcript and links relevant to our conversation, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/emily-oakley-living-next-to-a-cafo-while-serving-on-the-nosbThe Real Organic Podcast is hosted by Dave Chapman and Linley Dixon, engineered by Brandon StCyr, and edited and produced by Jenny Prince.The Real Organic Project is a farmer-led movement working towards certifying 1,000 farms across the United States this year. Our add-on food label distinguishes soil-grown fruits and vegetables from hydroponically-raised produce, and pasture-raised meat, milk, and eggs from products harvested from animals in horrific confinement (CAFOs - confined animal feeding operations).To find a Real Organic farm near you, please visit:https://www.realorganicproject.org/farmsWe believe that the organic standards, with their focus on soil health, biodiversity, and animal welfare were written as they should be, but that the current lack of enforcement of those standards is jeopardizing the ability for small farms who adhere to the law to stay in business. The lack of enforcement is also jeopardizing the overall health of the customers who support the organic movement; customers who are not getting what they pay for at market but still paying a premium price. And the lack of enforcement is jeopardizing the very cycles (water, air, nutrients) that Earth relies upon to provide us all with a place to live, by pushing extractive, chemical agriculture to the forefront.If you like what you hear and are feeling inspired, we would love for you to join our movement by becoming one of our 1,000  Real Fans!https://www.realorganicproject.org/1000-real-fans/To read our weekly newsletter (which might just be the most forwarded newsletter on the internet!) and get firsthand news about what's happening with organic food, farming and policy, please subscribe here:https://www.realorganicproject.org/email/

Organic, Non-GMO, Clean Label and Fairtrade certifications along with various marketing claims all provide consumer's insight about unique ingredients and details of how products were made. All in an effort to increase consumer appeal, product quality, intent to purchase, and secure price premiums. But how do you know that you can actually trust a claim? As we always say, marketing departments do an effective job at selling comfort and security. We wanted to know what's behind a label claim.In #4 episode, we talk with Joe Dickson, co-founder and head of quality standards and policies of Merryfield, a rewards app that incentives consumers to buy clean products every time they shop. Joe has over twenty years of experience in standards development and policy, including serving as the director of standards for Whole Foods Market, and serving on the Non-GMO Project board and National Organic Standards Board. Listen to the episode to learn more about the psychology behind label claims, why they are so effective, and the label claims you should and should not trust when shopping for yourself and your family.  In this episode: https://www.merryfield.com/https://www.usda.gov/topics/organichttps://www.nongmoproject.org/https://www.ewg.org/https://cleanlabelproject.org/https://wholefoodsmarket.com/ 

On this live edition of Tractor Time — recorded on November 12 — we are joined by Jeff Moyer, CEO of the Rodale Institute. Jeff has a new book out from Acres U.S.A. It’s called Roller/Crimper No-Till: Advancing No-Till Agriculture — Crops, Soil & Equipment. For nearly 30 years, Jeff has worked at the Rodale Institute in Southeastern Pennsylvania, where he’s designed equipment and techniques for organic no-till farming systems. Just last year, he was named CEO of Rodale. In addition, he has served as the chairman of the USDA’s National Organic Standards Board and was a founding board member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

When Bob Quinn was a kid, a stranger at a county fair gave him a few kernels of an unusual grain. Little did he know, that grain would change his life. Over the years, he began experimenting with organic wheat and he began to discover that through time-tested practices like cover cropping and crop rotation, he could produce successful yields—without pesticides. Quinn joined us on Town Hall’s stage along with co-author Liz Carlisle for a look into their latest book Grain by Grain. Quinn and Carlisle shared details from these groundbreaking forays with organics, which have since turned into a multimillion dollar heirloom grain company, Kamut International. Sit in for a conversation about the new story of American agriculture—plus some delicious ancient grain snacks for the audience to enjoy—and an exploration of a model that could revitalize stagnating rural communities, enrich degraded soil, and build a new sustainable healthy future grain by grain. Bob Quinn is an organic farmer near Big Sandy, Montana, and a leading green businessman. He served on the first National Organic Standards Board, and has been recognized with the Montana Organic Association Lifetime of Service Award, The Organic Trade Association Organic Leadership Award, and Rodale Institute’s Organic Pioneer Award. His enterprises include the ancient grain business Kamut International and Montana’s first wind farm. Liz Carlisle is a Lecturer in the School of Earth, Energy, and Environmental Sciences at Stanford University. Her first book, Lentil Underground, won the Montana Book Award and the Green Prize for Sustainable Literature. Recorded live at The Forum at Town Hall Seattle on May 16, 2019. 

Did you know organic farming methods not only protect our environment, and public health, but that of farm workers and their families as well? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Jay Feldman, Executive Director and co-founder of Beyond Pesticides, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC that works nationally to reduce toxic chemicals in our environment. Feldman discusses consumer perception about the organic label, the National Organic Standards Board’s role in upholding the integrity of the organic label, GMO crop-related herbicide use, and the upcoming 37th National Pesticide Forum in NYC April 5-6, 2019. Related website: www.beyondpesticides.org

Did you know that the National Organic Standards Board helps maintain the integrity of the organic seal? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Francis Thicke, Ph.D., organic dairy farmer, soil scientist, and former member of the National Organic Standards Board.  Thicke explains both the challenges and opportunities for keeping integrity and consumer trust in the organic label. He explores the harms of industrial farming, controversy over hydroponics, benefits of animal welfare standards, labeling, inspection and certification and more. Related website:  https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/nosb/current-members/francis-thicke

LINKS What I said at the NOSB meeting last week http://wp.me/p5Cqpo-eU7 UNFI Foundation http://www.unfifoundation.org/Pages/MissionandPriorities.aspx Soil carbon 'a saviour' in locking up carbon http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/soil-carbon-%E2%80%98a-saviour%E2%80%99-in-locking-up-carbon/8460928#transcript Strezelechi **** This is the World Organic News for the week ending 1st of May 2017. Jon Moore reporting! I’d like to start this week with a big thank you to dsearlybird12’s comment on Podbean: “interesting and pertinent”! Thank you! Now to the blog: Organic Matters by Melody Meyer and a series of posts on the National Organic Standards Board. Melody spoke on behalf of United Natural Foods. She spoke about the need for market driven solutions within the organic food sector. Quote: It’s the dollars and cents, the economic growth that organic represents for producers, manufacturers and retailers. For consumers, it’s the option to have an informed choice through the USDA label. Expanding and preserving that choice helps consumers avoid persistent pesticide exposure. It helps correct the environmental degradation of non-organic production methods. End Quote. I found this thought provoking. The “market” in inverted comments is a social construct. Defined by the governments of the world, the rules for markets are decided, not so much by Adam Smith’s unseen hand, but by that unseen hand operating within the rules decided in unseen smoke filled back rooms. So with a little tweaking and whole lot of subsidy redistribution, the market could be made to work for rather than against the organic movement. The way the system is set up now, farmers who do not use poisons have to spend thousands to prove this is the case. Those farmers who regularly douse their crops in poisons, pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilisers are free to sell whatever they want based on the 50% death rules. 50% death rules? I hear you ask. Yes. A poison is determined safe for human consumption on the following basic idea. Lab rats are fed a poison. The length of time it takes to kill half of them is the key to human food safety. Once the 50% death rate is reached, a conclusion is reached and the remaining 50% of surviving rats are euthanized. There are, therefore no data on long term effects of these poisons only their immediate acute effects. Sounds like a system designed for chemical manufacturers rather than human food consumers. Changing these rules of the market would immediately increase the safety of foods and give the organic sector a huge boost. I would suggest as individuals the way to overcome this bias and the many others embedded in the non-judgemental, values free, “market” which determines the best price for both consumers and suppliers, is to avoid anything, and I mean anything which does not have a certified organic label. Now there may be perfectly safe insecticides out there but we have no way of knowing giving the testing regime currently in place. Who knows how safe the cockroach and spider sprays are that are used on homes, well used on all buildings really. We are after all inhabiting these structures, not ingesting them until half of us drop dead! Now to the other end of the food system, the soil! This from an interview with Robin Batterham, a former federal chief scientist in Australia. Robin was a guest on the long running Radio National program the Science Show. The title for this interview gives us a clue: Soil carbon 'a saviour' in locking up carbon. Now the science around soil carbon is messy. The soil is, after all, a living thing. Quote: It is not fully understood, far from it, although with genetic typing these days we can understand much more of the thousands of interactions that go on. That's one whole side which is how do you encourage more of the bacteria and the fungi so that you get actually more carbon in the soil, you get greater root penetration, you get greater water retention and so on. End Quote. Robin’s argument is that we have sufficient knowledge, if not the ability to accurately measure soil carbon to starting the process of moving agriculture from artificial fertilisers and poisons to regenerative agriculture. Noting the following ways soil carbon is lost: Quote: We lose it essentially by two methods. One, we clear native vegetation and turn it into intensive agriculture. That almost inevitably results in loss of carbon from the soil. That's one. The other is that by extensive use of tilling, which changes the oxidative state of the soil and changes the balance between fungi which tends to not want it to be too oxidative and bacteria, by use of pesticides which similarly affect the biota, by use of extensive fertiliser application in a form which is not readily absorbed by plants, we just slowly, surely grind carbon down. End Quote. Robin gives rough measurements on the amount of soil carbon lost here in Australia. It seems we’ve moved from a soil carbon content of 3-4% in the time of Strezelechi, a Polish Nobleman, explorer and scientist who came to the colony of NSW in 1839 to a level closer to 1% nowadays. Reversing this loss would pull more carbon out of the atmosphere than has been dumped into it by industry. Not a reason to stop the move to renewables but, on soil fertility grounds alone, reason to move to regenerative agriculture. And that brings us to the end of this week’s podcast. If you’ve liked what you heard, please tell everyone you know any way you can! I’d also really appreciate a review on iTunes. This may or may not help others to find us but it gives this podcaster an enormous thrill! Thanks in advance! Any suggestions, feedback or criticisms of the podcast or blog are most welcome. email me at podcast@worldorganicnews.com. Thank you for listening and I'll be back in a week. **** LINKS What I said at the NOSB meeting last week http://wp.me/p5Cqpo-eU7 UNFI Foundation http://www.unfifoundation.org/Pages/MissionandPriorities.aspx Soil carbon 'a saviour' in locking up carbon http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/soil-carbon-%E2%80%98a-saviour%E2%80%99-in-locking-up-carbon/8460928#transcript Strezelechi

Jeff Moyer is a world renowned authority in organic agriculture. His expertise includes organic crop production systems with a focus on weed management, cover crops, crop rotations, equipment modification and use, and facilities design. Jeff is perhaps most well-known for conceptualizing and popularizing the No Till Roller Crimper for use in organic agriculture. In 2011, he wrote Organic No-Till Farming, a publication that has become a resource for farmers throughout the world. Jeff brings a farmer’s perspective and approach to issues in organic agriculture. He is a past chair of the National Organic Standards Board, a founding board member of Pennsylvania Certified Organic, the Chairman of the Board of Director of The Seed Farm, part of the Green America Non-GMO Working Group, a Project Member of The Noble Foundation’s Soil Renaissance project, and a Board Member of PA Farm Link. In September 2015, Jeff was appointed as Executive Director of Rodale Institute after spending the last four decades at the Institute, helping countless farmers make the transition from conventional, chemical-based farming to organic methods.

Guest Jay Feldman, M.S., Executive Director and Cofounder of Beyond Pesticides, and member of the National Organic Standards Board, describes the unintended consequences of pesticides, herbicide-resistant genetically engineered crops, and ways to protect vulnerable populations, pollinators and the organic food labelBeyond Pesticides

Dr. Nancy Ostiguy, Associate Professor of Entomology at Penn State has been conducting research on honeybee health for the last decade. Dr. Ostiguy was also on the National Organic Standards Board for five years and is now working with the Pennsylvania Ce

Guest Jeff Moyer, Farm Manager, Rodale Institute and former chair of the National Organic Standards Board. Why and how organic agriculture CAN feed the worldRodale Institute