The government said it will allow an additional month for comments on a proposed checkoff program for the organic industry, the first based on a production method rather than a specific farm product such as beef, cotton or pork. In an announcement, USDA said comments would be accepted until July 20. The cutoff initially was set for June 19. The department said it received a number of requests for more time to respond to the lengthy proposal.
The checkoff would raise an estimated $30 million a year for research and promotion of organic food and other products. Farmers with less than $250,000 in gross revenue from organic production would not be obliged to contribute to the fund.
To read a summary, or the entire proposal for an organic checkoff, click here.