Fertile Ground USA...Celebrating the people behind the plow

USDA Issues its Access to Pasture Rule:
After a very, very long wait, USDA has finally issued a proposed amendment to the National Organic Program Standards clarifying the access to pasture rule for organic livestock. The new proposed rule addresses in great detail the livestock living conditions, feed requirements and pasture practice standards to be followed by certified organic livestock producers. The public comment period for the new rules ends December 23, 2008. The organic community is busy gathering input, questions and suggestions from producers and working to forge a consensus to guide our response. The pasture rule will be discussed at the Organic Committee meeting at the NCSA Gathering on November 14th and at the pre-NOSB meeting in Washington sponsored by the Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the National Organic Coalition and the NCSA on November 16th.  If you are unable to attend either of these meetings you can send written comments to annette@sustainableagriculture.net.

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