Organic farmers are hoping to have their needs heard and included in the new farm bill. Here are a few of the items they are seeking to be included. Creating a $50 million-a-year grant program to assist farmers in adopting organic practices Providing $5 million annually to help farmers offset the cost of attaining organic certification Establishing a $25 million-a-year … Read More
UK Organic Sales Slow
A new study out of the UK shows that sales of organic milk have slowed considerably. Is this a glimmer of what may happen in the States? According to market research company TNS, which closely monitors the market, sales of organic milk grew from 73.8 million litres in 2004 to 158 million last year. Though that represents rapid growth, it … Read More
Horizon Organic Has New President
Horizon Organic has a new president, Blaine E. McPeak, the former president of Kellogg Company’s portable breakfast and snacks division, and a leader in the company’s Kashi brand. Dean Foods Company said Thursday that Blaine E. McPeak, a former Kellogg Co. executive, will join the company’s WhiteWave division as president of its Horizon Organic unit. McPeak will oversee all aspects … Read More
Institute to File Lawsuit Against USDA
The Cornucopia Institute announced its intend to file a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), accusing the agency of failing to enforce federal laws about the labeling of organic foods. The impending lawsuit is the latest salvo in a seven-year-long dispute between organic family farmers and the USDA. At the center of the controversy are two major … Read More
Oranic Dairy On Display in Germany
Hello from Berlin, Germany and the International Green Week. I’m attending this huge international food show to take part in a board meeting of the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ). We’re actually having our final meeting this morning.
UHN Joins Organic Valley
Today, Organic Valley, an organic farmers cooperative welcomed the University of New Hampshire Organic Dairy Research Farm into its cooperative as a milk supplier and full voting member. The first shipment of milk will go from UNH to Stonyfield Farm in Londonderry, New Hampshire, where it will be made into Stonyfield Farm Yogurt and Smoothies. Organic Valley will pick up … Read More
Target Joins the Organic Movement
The super store Target, is getting into the organics game. Using their own private label organic brand, Archer Farms, Target will offer a variet of organic groceries in their SuperTarget stores. Target also announced that their produce department is now certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Private Label Organic Expands Operations
After a year-long transition, the Aurora Organic Dairy (AOD), the organization’s second organic dairy farm in Dublin, Texas is ready for production, tripling the company’s pastureland.
Kentucky Dairyman becomes First Certified Organic in State
The state of Kentucky joins the rest of the country’s bandwagon for organic dairies. Marlin Sauder, Sharon Grove, became the first certified organic dairy farmer in state, and Organic Valley’s 600th organic dairy farmer.