Organic Seed Alliance

Putting the power of seed into the hands of growers

Seed Policy ·

National Organic Standards Board to Convene in Pittsburgh

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meets twice a year to consider and make recommendations on a wide range of issues involving the production, handling, and processing of organic products

One of the many strengths of the National Organic Program is the opportunity for public engagement on what should and shouldn’t be allowed in organics. Public comments and meetings of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) are held twice a year to host pubic discourse on timely issues related to the organic label.

Please consider joining OSA in Pittsburgh this month for the fall meeting of the NOSB from October 23-25, 2019. Two proposals related to seed and plant breeding are on the agenda:

  1. Genetic Integrity Transparency of Seed Grown on Organic Land – Instruction to Certifiers
  2. Excluded Methods: Induced Mutagenesis

Here are two ways to make your voice heard:

  1. Sign up for oral comments if you’re able to attend the meeting in Pittsburgh
  2. Sign up to provide comments via webinar on October 15 or 17

Do you have questions about these proposals? Contact OSA policy expert Kiki Hubbard with questions and ideas.

Pre-NOSB meeting

Headed to Pittsburgh? Plan to come a day early for the National Organic Coalition’s (NOC) Pre-NOSB meeting on October 22, 2019. NOC will host this gathering of diverse organic stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the organic community. Next month’s meeting will focus on DC policy updates, updates from organic farmers in the region, and more. Register here to participate in this conversation.

Kiki Hubbard

Kristina (Kiki) Hubbard is the director of advocacy and communications for Organic Seed Alliance. She currently leads efforts to promote policies and actions that support organic seed systems, including managing OSA’s State of Organic Seed project.