NOP Memo to the National Organic Standards Board
Work Agenda Request: Compost Production
for Organic Agriculture
The National Organic Program (NOP) has sent a memo to the National Organic Standards Board requesting the board discuss and submit feedback or a recommendation on the topic of compost in organic production. The Board’s input will be considered as NOP analyzes a petition for rulemaking to revise the regulatory definition of compost feedstock, a topic the board has also expressed interest in.
NOP requests the board consider:
- How previous board work on related topics may be relevant to this work agenda item.
- How recommended changes may impact alternative composting methods listed in NOP 5021 and whether these production methods should be included in USDA organic regulations.
- How unavoidable residual environmental contamination and potential contamination of compost by commonly composted materials can be addressed.
TOPP Workshop Leads to New Southeast
Regional Partnership
Photo: Participants learn about soil health and organic farming practices during an interactive TOPP workshop.
Over the past few months, events and workshops focused on the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) have been popping up throughout communities nationwide. In the Southeast, regional TOPP lead Florida Organic Growers (FOG) and Tuskegee University partnered with Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Small Farms Research Center and Auburn University to host several workshops on soil health and organic farming.
Soil health is the foundation of soil-based organic production systems. For many farmers, it is a key indicator of a productive, sustainable farm. At a recent workshop on an urban farm in Montgomery, Alabama, Alicia Jordan – owner of Triple J Farm and an outreach specialist for the Federation of Southern Cooperatives – shared that she had been inspired to start composting on her farm thanks to the education she received at similar TOPP-focused workshops and expressed interest in hosting a future workshop at her farm. Through this collaboration, FOG has been able to forge substantial partnerships working within historically under-served communities.
It is great to know that TOPP significantly impacted Jordan and her soil health practices. And thanks to her outreach role at the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, this information will continue to spread through the Federation’s farming community. This experience has also motivated FOG to define and develop a partnership role with the Alabama State Association of Cooperatives, a state affiliate of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives, as part of the SE region TOPP initiative, which includes the potential for supporting some of their educational acreage transitioning to organic production.
About the Transition to Organic Partnership Program
The USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program is investing up to $100 million over five years in cooperative agreements with non-profit organizations who are partnering with others to provide technical assistance and wrap-around support for transitioning and existing organic farmers. USDA is building partnership networks in six regions across the United States with trusted organizations serving direct farmer training, education, and outreach activities.
Southeast Regional Lead Florida Organic Growers partners with organizations experienced in the organic industry to provide mentoring services, technical assistance, community building, and organic workforce development for transitioning and existing organic farmers.
For more information on upcoming TOPP events, mentorship opportunities, and farmer resources in your region, visit OrganicTransition.org. Visit USDA's TOPP Success Stories page to read about the exciting work being done in communities throughout the United States.
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