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Organic regulatory environment needs fixing

An organic farmer says the regulatory environment for the industry needs to evolve with the changing dynamics in organic production.

Organic specialty crop farmer Theojary Crisantes with Arizona-based Wholesum Harvest uses containers and indoor growing systems to combat pests and disease that can’t effectively be controlled by organic methods. During this week’s Senate Ag Committee’s farm bill hearing, Crisantes testified he’s concerned that proposed regulations by the National Organic Standards Board would take this technology away from organic farmers.  “Demand for organic continues to increase, therefore, we must ensure all growing methods that are organic remain organic.  While containers and hydroponics may be in the hot seat now, other technologies may be next.”

He says organics is no longer a niche industry with nearly 24,000 certified organic operations nationwide supporting a $50 billion per year industry, and asked the committee to continue supporting organic research and crop insurance in the next farm bill as well streamline the regulatory process for the industry.

AUDIO: Opportunities in Global and Local Markets, Specialty Crops, and Organics: Perspectives for the 2018 Farm Bill Hearing