RESOURCES FOR NOC 2024 PRE-NOSB MEETING

Monday, October 21

Meeting Resources:

Meeting Agenda & Participant Commitments

Participant List:
- By organization
- By last name
Restaurant suggestions for lunch
List of Acronyms
Covid precautions: We recommend that participants take a Covid test prior to the event. We encourage those who wish to do so to wear a mask during the meeting. We will provide masks and hand sanitizer. We ask that if you are feeling ill or showing any covid symptoms, please refrain from taking part in the meeting.

NOSB Update

NOSB Update Topics (presented by Steve Ela)
NOSB Proposals and Discussion Documents for the Fall 2024 NOSB Meeting
NOC Fall 2024 Comments to the NOSB
NOC Blog Posts:
- Protecting Organic Integrity at the Fall 2024 NOSB Meeting
- Synthetic Compostable Packaging Does Not Belong in Organic Compost

Farmer Panel

Panelists:

Christina Bentrup, Bee Loved Farm + Friends of Family Farmers Farmland Navigator, Springfield, OR
Stewart Kircher, Forest Glen Jerseys, McMinnville, OR
Ben Larson, My Brothers’ Farm, Creswell, OR
Inder Singh, Riverland Family Farms, Corvallis, OR

Oregon Land Access:

DC Update on Organic Policy

DC Update Agenda (Presented by Steve Etka)
Take Action - Organic Certification Cost Share is At Risk
FY 2025 Appropriations Priorities
NOC Blog: Annual Appropriations Bills Determine Funding for Key Organic Programs
District Court Denies Challenge to Grower Group Certification
Organic Produce Association - Economic Analysis of 3-Year Transition Rule
**NOTE - NOC opposes efforts to change the 3-year transition period
Farm Bill
Supreme Court decisions that could impact organic

Increasing Organic Seed Usage

The organic regulations require the use of organic seeds, but producers can fall back on conventional, untreated seeds when the organic seed supply is not sufficient. Unfortunately, a recent survey, conducted by the Organic Seed Alliance, shows that the percent of organic seed usage on larger acreage vegetable farms has stagnated. Stagnant organic seed usage threatens the future of organic farming by reducing organic agriculture’s environmental and soil health benefits. Additionally, reliance on conventional seeds could result in the use of varieties that perform poorly in organic systems, as well as the unintentional use of genetically engineered varieties, which could undermine the integrity of organic systems. In this panel discussion, panelists will share information about why organic seed usage is important, barriers to organic seed usage and availability, and discuss possible strategies leading to a thriving organic sector with organic seed as a foundation. The panel will include panelists who speak from many different perspectives, including organic seed producers, certifiers, seed distributors, breeding companies, and policy experts.

Moderator:

Cat McCluskey, Advocacy and Communications Director, Organic Seed Alliance

Panelists:

Aaron Varadi, Contract Production Manager/Commercial Grower Sales Representative, High Mowing Organic Seeds
Adrienne Shelton, Research & Development Manager Organics, Enza Zaden
Johanna Phillips, Director of Business Development & Technical Affairs, Strengthening Organic Systems
Louisa Brouwer, Founder, Ferry Boat Seeds

Resources