S.C. Farmers, Food Processors Seeking Organic Certification May Qualify for Grant Funding

Jim Rogers Organic, South Carolina

COLUMBIA – South Carolina farmers and food processors who want to pursue organic certification may qualify for reimbursement through a grant administered by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA) and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency. For some producers, organic certification can help reach new customers and align with existing ones. “This funding enabled …

USDA Publishes Strengthening Organic Enforcement Final Rule

Jim Rogers Organic, USDA

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) previewed the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) final rule. This update to the USDA organic regulations strengthens oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic products. This final rule implements 2018 Farm Bill mandates, responds to industry requests for updates to the USDA organic regulations, and …

USDA NASS Highlights Organic Production with Recent Survey

Jim Rogers Organic

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the results of the 2021 Organic Survey, which show total sales of $11.2 billion in organic products, an increase of $1.28 billion, or 13%, from 2019. There were also 17,445 certified organic farms, a 5% increase from 2019. “The continual rise in interest for updated organics data …

UGA Study Aims to Help Farmers Transitioning to Organic Production

Jim Rogers Organic

By Maria M. Lameiras Organic agriculture has attracted both longtime producers and new farmers into the industry, as demand for organic food continues to increase. University of Georgia (UGA) scientists are coordinating new research designed to develop best practices for transitioning farmers starting out with land that has been used for grazing or has lain fallow. “Breaking new ground is …

Transitioning Tips for Summer to Fall Vegetable Crops

Jim Rogers Disease, Organic, Pests

By Ayanava Majumdar, Chip East and Eric Schavey The southeastern United States is the hotbed of insect and disease issues in vegetable crops. Growers constantly have to deal with not only established pest and weed issues, but also the invasive ones. Organic farming of vegetables is a challenge for producers everywhere in the United States, and the battle against insect …

UGA Research: Weed Control in Organics

Clint Thompson Organic

By Clint Thompson University of Georgia research may have yielded a new way for growers to manage weeds in organic production. Tim Coolong, associate professor in the University of Georgia (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is researching the effect of irrigation combined with different cultivation tactics to control weeds. He is studying shallow sub-surface drip tape placement for …

USDA to Invest up to $300 million in New Organic Transition Initiative

Jim Rogers Organic

WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced details this week of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) $300 million investment, including with American Rescue Plan funds, in a new Organic Transition Initiative that will help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, the number of non-certified …

Florida Organic Blueberry Production a Challenge

Jim Rogers Organic

By Cint Thompson Interest in organic blueberry production in Florida has waned in recent years. The late freeze event in January was not helpful in convincing growers to convert production. Phil Harmon, professor and Extension plant pathologist at the University of Florida, discusses the state of the industry in Florida. “Growers have converted a few acres in some cases to …