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USDA Recognizes Organic Agriculture as a Priority with $10 Million in Grants
On December 18, USDA announced the availability of $10 million in competitive grants offered through the Conservation Innovation Grant (CIG) program. These grants provide funding for the development, and application of innovative conservation technologies and approaches. What’s unique about this year’s grant is they specify areas where organic farmers and ranchers can actively participate in the process.
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Brexit Could Produce a Shift Towards Organic Production
BREXIT could result in more Scottish farmers converting towards organic production. According to Malcom Taylor, head of land management at bell Ingram, the continuing uncertainty caused by the Brexit vote, coupled with the likelihood of elevated environmental constraints in the UK’s local replacement for the CAP, will make organic farming a more attractive option.
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The Year of the Consumer
We no longer have to wonder about the impact of the FDA’s budget being frozen, a federal hiring freeze, or a full-out directive to terminate and prevent promulgation of ‘most’ regulations. The natural products industry, food and dietary supplements in particular, is about to experience the fallout in 2018.
Read more here.
Asia’s ‘Large and Disparate Number of Organic Standards’ Calls Certification into Question at Ecovia Conference
Organic standards inconsistency and labeling issues are "major pitfalls" for companies entering the Chinese organic market, attendees heard at the inaugural Asia-Pacific edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit according to host Ecovia Intelligence.
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Top 10 Fresh Organic Foods of 2017
A variety of fresh organic products such as produce, meat and deli-prepared beverages landed in the top 10 categories that U.S. consumers purchased in 2017.
Packaged salads led the way in 2017, with dollar sales reaching nearly $900 million, up less than 2 percent.
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