Organic News

Organic Processors Are Limiting Accepted Varieties to Reduce Risk

As organic and non GMO markets mature, some processors and buyers are quietly narrowing the range of crop varieties they accept. The shift is driven less by yield considerations and more by the need to manage processing consistency, quality specifications, and operational risk. Processors report that variability in protein content, oil composition, moisture levels, and […]

Call to Simplify Organic Certification

Organic agriculture is at a crossroads. As consumer demand grows and small farms seek viable market pathways, the complexity of USDA organic certification has become a flashpoint. Farmers, certifiers, and industry advocates increasingly argue that a system built decades ago for a smaller sector must modernize to meet today’s realities. Reforms to USDA organic certification […]

Transforming farm waste into eco-friendly fertilizer and renewable fuel

Clemson University scientist develops system to help farmers and protect the planet Scientist Brian Ward of Clemson University’s Coastal Research and Education Center is working on a project that could not only change how we think about agricultural waste, but also help the planet in the process. The system Ward is developing transforms leftover farm materials like […]

University of Florida experts call for expansion of organic farming to meet rising demand

Consumer demand currently outweighs the availability of farms growing fresh organic produce University of Florida experts and stakeholders are inviting growers and investors to consider organic farming, as consumer demand for fresh organic produce is outpacing the availability of farms growing it. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, organic acreage makes up less than 1% […]

New USDA grant supports farmers’ transition to organic practices

A new program for farmers in Iowa and the Midwest can help farmers transition to organic, thanks to a grant from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s National Organic Program. Despite organic product sales increasing—they were up by 5.2% in 2024, according to the Organic Trade Association, totaling $71.6 billion—and other potential benefits of “going organic,” learning […]