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In this issue:
- New Online Course: An Introduction to Organic Dairy Production
- Winter Organic Farming and Research Webinars
- Food Safety Modernization Act Comment Deadline: November 15
- Recently Published Organic Poultry Articles
- Recent NOP News
- eOrganic Mission and Resources
New Online Course: An Introduction to Organic Dairy Production
An Introduction to Organic Dairy Production is a self-directed online course designed by the eOrganic Dairy Team for Extension educators and other agriculture service providers, as well as farmers and students who want to better understand certified organic dairy farming. Each of the ten modules combines readings, narrated lessons, optional homework exercises and recommended resources, and end-of-module quizzes. The peer reviewed course has also been checked for compliance with National Organic Program regulations to ensure high quality, accurate organic information. The course cost is $150, and CCA CEUs are available: 17.0 units for those who successfully complete the course.
Find a sneak preview of the course, descriptions of the topics, and instructions on how to enroll at http://www.extension.org/pages/69299
Winter Organic Farming and Research Webinars
The following eOrganic webinars are currently open for registration. Find all upcoming and archived webinars on organic farming, research and extension at http://www.extension.org/pages/25242
| Upcoming Organic Farming Webinars | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 12, 2013 | Organic Dry Bean Production Systems and Cultivar Choices | Thomas Michaels, University of Minnesota | |
| Nov 14, 2013 | Behavior Based Grazing Management: A Plant-Herbivore Interaction Webinar | Darrell Emmick, USDA NRCS (emeritus) | |
| Dec 3, 2013 | Trap Cropping in Organic Strawberries to Manage Lygus Bugs in California | Diego Nieto, University of California Santa Cruz | |
| Jan 16, 2014 | NRCS EQIP Organic Initiative and Organic Dairy Farms | Sarah Brown, Oregon Tilth; Sam Skemp, USDA NRCS, Wisconsin | |
| Jan 21, 2014 | Using Contans (Coniothyrium minitans) for White Mold Management on Organic Farms Webinar | Alex Stone, Oregon State University | |
Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Comment Deadline: November 15
The deadline to comment on the draft regulations for the FSMA is fast approaching. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) has produced detailed instructions on how to submit comments, as well as information on how the draft regulations affect organic and small farmers, food processors and manufacturers. NSAC also provides information on issues such as the effects of the rules on organic farmers' use of manure and compost, livestock integration, and wildlife conservation practices. They have also included suggestions for comments. Find the NSAC food safety resources at http://sustainableagriculture.net/fsma/
To make sure your voice is heard, submit your comments by the deadline on November 15!
Recently Published Organic Poultry Articles
The following articles on organic poultry nutrition and pest and disease management by Jacquie Jacob, Poultry Extension Associate at the University of Kentucky, have been published on the eXtension.org website:
- Including Fishmeal in Organic Poultry Diets
- Including Barley in Organic Poultry Diets
- Including Cottonseed Meal in Organic Poultry Diets
- Including Flax Seed in Organic Poultry Diets
- Including Insects in Organic Poultry Diets
- Slaughter By-Products
- Poultry Vaccines for Use on Organic Farms
- Control of External Parasites in Organic Poultry Production
For additional information on organic poultry nutrition, see also the recording of the recent webinar by Mike Lilburn of the Ohio State University on A Novel Nutritional Approach to Rearing Organic Pastured Broiler Chickens.
Recent National Organic Program News
According to new estimates, certified organic acreage in the U.S. rebounded in 2011. The U.S. had 3.1 million acres of certified organic cropland and 2.3 million acres of certified organic pasture and rangeland in 2011. Between 2008 and 2010, certified cropland and pasture had dipped as sluggish growth in consumer demand during the recession dampened the short-term outlook for organic producers. However, the growth in certified acreage of both cropland and pastureland has more than recovered those losses and has reestablished its upward trajectory. This continues the long-term growth trend in this sector.
USDA's Economic Research Service has tracked the amount of certified organic acreage and livestock in the U.S. since 1997. Throughout this period, they have identified State-level adoption patterns for over 40 commodities based on information from State and private organic certifiers.
Read an article about the report: Growth Patterns in the U.S. Organic Industry by Catherine Greene, USDA/ERS, and download organic data from the report.
Subscribe to the NOP Organic Insider to stay current on NOP news and activities.
eOrganic Mission
eOrganic is a web community where organic agriculture farmers, researchers, and educators network; exchange objective, research- and experience-based information; learn together; and communicate regionally, nationally, and internationally. If you have expertise in organic agriculture and would like to develop U.S. certified organic agriculture information, join us at http://eorganic.info.
eOrganic Resources
Find all eOrganic articles, videos and webinars at http://extension.org/organic_production
Connect with eOrganic on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!
Have a question about organic farming? Use the eXtension Ask an Expert service to connect with the eOrganic community!
