Organic News

Farmers, non-profit supply affordable, organic food to low-income families

In Kentucky and Iowa, local farmers and a non-profit are successfully delivering organic food to families on a tight budget—and feeling terrific about filling a critical need. Sporting the motto “Fresh food is a basic human right,” New Roots delivers seasonal fruits and vegetables to eight locations near Louisville, twice a month. “We …accept SNAP […]

Continued drought conditions threaten organic wheat supply

Widespread weather challenges are set to impact harvest, quality The record-breaking heat wave in the Northwest, paired with the continued drought across a broad range of crop-producing states, may challenge the organic wheat supply heading into harvest. According to the recently released Mercaris Monthly Update, the prolonged drought will likely move harvest earlier this year […]

Organic Trade Association fraud fighting program draws robust interest

A ground-breaking fraud prevention program is drawing strong response from organic businesses as the organic sector readies for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s upcoming new rules to strengthen oversight of organic imports and the organic supply chain. Forty organic businesses are currently enrolled in the trade association’s Organic Fraud Prevention Solutions program, with another 125 […]

Pesticide contamination in soil significantly lower on organic farms in EU

When pesticide residues in soil from organic and conventional farms across the EU were compared in a recent study published in Environmental Pollution, organic farms had up to 90% less residue concentration. Existence of any residues in organic soil is due to either highly persistent chemicals that last beyond organic transition or contamination via pesticide […]

Natural farming model in Andhra Pradesh could advance sustainable agriculture in India

India is experiencing an agriculture crisis—distressed, debt-ridden farmers, suicides, and mass protests reflect a dire economic situation, climate impacts, and depletion of natural resources. The vast majority of public dollars go toward the input-driven, green revolution model of farming that has caused farmer insecurity, insufficient yields, and ecological imbalance. The unsustainable situation has resulted in […]