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After the demise of the USDA mandatory research and promotion check-off attempt, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Organic Voices (OV) decided to take matters into their own hands. Continue reading “Jim Riddle Weighs in on The Future of the GRO Organic Check-Off-Like Program”
The demise of a mandatory organic research and promotion check-off program at the hands of the USDA came with great disappointment.
It also kindled a fiery commitment to the idea that something must be done.
Leading companies and individuals weren’t ready to give up the idea that collectively the organic industry could raise funds for research, education and promotion. Continue reading “New Organic Consumer Messaging Campaign is Nothing You Should Ever Have to Read”
I have witnessed Cathy Calfo’s vivacious drive since 2011 when she became the Executive Director of CCOF. Since that time, she has been a friend, mentor, confidant and co-conspirator in advancing all things organic.
During her eight-year tenure, she achieved many policy and advocacy successes for organic agriculture in California and the Nation.
Cathy will leave the organization in March, in the good hands of Kelly Damewood.
I recently had the privilege of speaking with Cathy about her work at CCOF, commitment to organic and vision for the future. Continue reading “A Tribute to CCOF’s Cathy Calfo: Her Guiding Light Advances Organic Agriculture”
The political winds are against us. We are in an era of stagnating and dwindling regulatory oversight by the current administration.
Organic seems to be floundering in its own juices.
Trump’s USDA withdrew the final animal welfare rule that consumers and legitimate producers all agreed upon for over decade.
The administration meddled with the NOSB’s work plan, withdrawing work on Aquaculture, Apiculture and Pet Food. There will be no regulations to advance organic in these areas in the near future.
They killed the idea of a check-off that would have raised much-needed funds to bolster our still adolescent industry.
This is indeed an unfriendly crew cutting and slashing rules and opportunities that organic wants. Continue reading “Who Will Fund the Challenges Facing Organic Today?”
Most of us don’t think much about how or where our clothes were produced. We’re more likely to take a fancy to the style of the cut or the hue of the cloth. Or perhaps we’re after a bargain and relish the least expensive adornment to garnish our bodies.
If you care to pull back the curtain, the production of textiles is actually a dirty rotten business. Continue reading “Your Clothes… What’s Organic GOTS to do with it?”