Need Help? USDA announces new program and you are likely to benefit!

Funding Available: USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers On March 24, 2021, the USDA announced a new initiative intended to reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. If you did not benefit from previous rounds of financial assistance, this may be your chance. Among other expanded criteria, the USDA Pandemic Assistance […]

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Opinion: Lithothamnion sp. Coralline Algae Is NOT “Ag,” Should NOT Be Allowed as “Organic” If We Care About The Planet.

March 12, 2021: The USDA released a memo to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) to request that they make recommendations to the industry regarding whether or not Lithothamnion calcareus algae species may be certified organic. It’s unclear why the ruling is needed since the NOP informed at least one certifying agency prior to 2008 […]

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2021 Update: OneCert Inspections During Covid-19

In 2020, OneCert was able to conduct annual inspections by using a combination of remote records audits and on-site inspections. In a few cases we also allowed fully virtual inspections to take place. We will be following a similar approach in 2021 until more of the population has been vaccinated. For most operations, OneCert is […]

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Making “Natural” Claims? Proceed with Caution!

OneCert has become aware of some recent lawsuits targeting organic products that falsely make a “natural” claim. In recent years there have been many lawsuits and FTC complaints over the use of “all natural” or “100% natural claims” claims, when in fact, the product contains synthetic ingredients.  For examples, see this 2016 FTC blog post: […]

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Hemp Production Final Rule

selective focus photography of cannabis sativa plant

The Hemp Final Rule–published on January 19, 2021–superseded the Interim Final Rule that established The Domestic Hemp Production Program that was mandated as part of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Final Rule covers the regulations the USDA will follow when it approves the hemp production plans submitted by States and Indian tribes and establishes a […]

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