OP’s Website Goes Green
OrganicProcessing.com is now hosted by the only data center to operate on 100 percent solar energy, Affordable Internet Services Online (AISO). AISO was featured as one of INC Magazine’s “Top 50 Green Companies.” In addition to this, they’re a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, which works to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. AISO is also the web host for the LIVE EARTH concert website. For more info go to www.aiso.net.


New Organic Trends Report
Natural Marketing Institute (NMI) has released its new 2007 Organic Consumer Trends Report (OCTR), a compilation of marketing information across the entire organic marketplace designed to help marketers make accurate and insightful decisions about their businesses. Focusing on the future, the OCTR examines general market trends, scientific advances, government initiatives, supply issues, consumer insights, new product introductions and claims across various organic categories as well as data from several of NMI’s proprietary research vehicles. All together, the report offers a comprehensive look at the organic marketplace, including insight into consumer attitudes and emotions toward organic products and brands. For more information, visit NMI’s website at www.NMIsolutions.com.


Colors Sunset Off the National List
There have been many colorful debates about the topic, but now the day has come. As of October 22, 2007, “colors” as a general umbrella category will no longer be on the National List, section 205.602. After this date, products must be in compliance with the NOP regulation, which states that:

• products making an “organic” claim must be produced with colors that are either certified organic or are colors that are approved for use under section 205.606 of the National List and are documented to be commercially unavailable in organic form; and

• products making a “made with organic” claim must be produced with colors that are considered “agricultural” under the NOP.

Fortunately, there were many natural agricultural colors that were added to the 205.606 list. This list of colors added to the Interim Final Rule, section 205.606 can be found on the NOP website, www.ams.usda.gov/NOP. The list may change following additional comments made by members of the industry and further assessment made by the NOP. Certifiers will evaluate all specific ingredients, including carriers and preservatives, in colors used to determine NOP compliance.


CCOF Launches Organic Intern Certificate Training Program
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) rolled out its new intern certificate training program this fall. Interns will complete 360 hours of project work in exchange for a certificate and valuable career training. CCOF is also currently taking applications for its second class of interns, which will start in January 2008. Interns will learn an overview of the organic industry and undergo training in the essentials of organic certification, inspection, production and marketing. Training will be balanced with fun organic events and hands-on experience working at the world-renowned CCOF-certified UCSC Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. Supporting mentors are also sought to mentor project interns and program benefactors are welcome to help fund projects. Applications are now available at www.ccof.org/intern.php.


Organic Farming Can Feed the World
Organic farming can yield up to three times as much food as conventional farming on the same amount of land, according to researchers from the University of Michigan. In addition to equal or greater yields, the authors found those yields could be accomplished using existing quantities of organic fertilizers and without putting more farmland into production. Their article, entitled “Organic agriculture and the global food supply,” appears in Renewable Agriculture and Food Systems (2007) 22: 86-108.

Organic Dairy and Meat Improves Quality of Mothers’ Breast Milk
A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that organic dairy and meat products in a mother’s diet positively affect the nutritional quality of her breast milk, markedly increasing beneficial fatty acids.

A diet in which 90 percent or more of dairy and meat products are organic is correlated with measurably higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). Previous studies have proven that products from pasture-fed animals contain elevated levels of antioxidants and other nutrients including CLA. CLA is a type of fat that is believed to aid immune system development for newborns. CLA is also believed to have anticarcinogenic, anti-atherosclerotic, antidiabetic and immune-enhancing effects, as well as a favorable influence on body fat composition.

“There is a synergy and logic to the approach that organic farmers take in their production model,” said Dave Minar of Cedar Summit Dairy, an organic farmstead producer in New Prague, Minnesota.

“Concentrating on the health and fertility of soil results in pastures and feed of superior nutritional quality—and that results in incredibly vibrant, long living, and healthy livestock. It should be of no surprise that there is an increasing body of scientific evidence now substantiating the benefits of an organic diet, especially for infants and children.”


New Website Promotes Dialogue on Agricultural, Environmental and Artistic Issues
The Seed to Plate website is a nonprofit, informational blog dedicated to providing a forum for the discussion of global agricultural, environmental and artistic issues with the goal of community participation and positive action. In addition to being an up-to-date news source, Seed to Plate is also a reliable reference site linking visitors and participants to environmental associations, groups and initiatives, agricultural and organic organizations and grass roots campaigns.

The Seed to Plate art gallery gives voice to another side of environmental and agricultural issues by providing an outlet to artists and a viewing area for those who appreciate art with an agricultural theme. Visit the Seed to Plate website at www.seedtoplate.com.


OMRI Revises Policies and Standards
The Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) has adopted revised review program policies and standards. The standards will remain consistent with the most current National Organic Program Rule. OMRI Listed products will continue to be acceptable for use in a certified organic operation.

One of the most significant changes includes the development of maximum concentrations of arsenic, cadmium and lead for all products intended for use on organic crops or soils. Also, under the revised policies, OMRI will perform a minimum number of random inspections.

The new policies and standards were developed in order to seek accreditation under the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide 65. All companies with one or more OMRI listed products will be subject to the new policies upon their annual renewal. The revised policies contain the first comprehensive fee change in the organization’s 10-year history. New fees reflect increased operating costs.


Report for Small Manufacturers
The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) has released a report that catalogs and analyzes federal efforts to help smaller manufacturers. The report, Information on Federal Programs and Interagency Efforts That Support Small Businesses Engaged in Manufacturing, identifies 254 federal programs that provide services to support the business sector, some specifically just for smaller manufacturers. The GAO also identified 20 federal interagency efforts that focus on supporting the business sector. The report can be found at www.gao.gov.


Organic Summit Conversation Continues
Last June, more than 200 industry leaders met in Boulder, Colo., for the first Organic Summit, produced by New Hope Media and Organic Farming Research Foundation. The charter conference, “Renewing the Organic Conversation,” spurred critical exchange between attending farmers, certifiers, manufacturers, retailers, academics and advocates and now the conversation continues. Links to audio files of the Organic Summit keynote speeches given by Walter Robb, co-founder of Whole Foods and Fred Kirschenmann, former director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, are available on the event website, www.organicsummit.com. The website also features an Organic Summit blog where the organic community is encouraged to post comments.