In a step the organic farming industry says will expand acreage, the USDA will allow growers to sell their products as “certified transitional” organic goods during the three-year conversion to organic farming. The Organic Trade Association, which developed the standards, says the new certification will allow farmers to sell their products at a premium price, rather than the prices offered for conventional crops.
Nate Lewis, OTA’s farm policy director, said the transitional certification “will provide an on-ramp to producers while safeguarding organic as the gold standard of food label claims.” In general, organic farmers do not use synthetic fertilizers and pesticides or GMO seeds. Organic food accounts for nearly 5 percent of U.S. food sales, according to OTA, with the total rising every year.
To earn the transitional certification, farmers will need to prove they have not used synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on their land for one year and must follow other organic practices such as crop rotations and fostering biodiversity. The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service said it will accept applications until Feb. 28 from organic certifying agents who will carry out the work to certify a farm or business as transitional organic. “This program will help those transitioning to organic agriculture, encourage domestic production of organic products, and ultimately support the continued growth of organic agriculture in the United States,” said AMS administrator Elanor Starmer.
To read the USDA announcement, click here.