108 members found: organic

National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics

June 2024. The National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics is the first interagency strategy to lay out a plan for the United States to meet its national goal of halving food loss and waste and achieving a 50% recycling rate by 2030.

Read more

New Funding, Programs, and Partnerships Boost Organic Production

During Organic Week (14-16 May), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a series of initiatives to create and expand organic markets in the United States. These new programs, partnerships, grant […]

Read more

Meet Larry Santos, Organic Farmer of the Year

Larry Santos of Taylor Farming in Salinas, California, has been named 2024’s Organic Farmer of the Year, recognized by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for his outstanding contribution to organic agriculture.

Read more

Stronger Organic Standards Bring Consistency to Animal Welfare

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) introduction of updated standards for organic livestock and poultry production. The standards are expected to create “a […]

Read more

Meet 2022 Organic Farmer of the Year – April Jones Thatcher

The Organic Trade Association’s Organic Leadership Awards recognize individuals making a tangible difference to the U.S. organic industry. For organic producers, the highest accolade is Farmer of the Year, which […]

Read more

U.S. Organic Production, Markets, Consumers and Policy, 2000–21

10 April 2023: A comprehensive analysis of the organic industry since 2000, from policy to production.

Read more

$75 Million Investment Helps Producers Transition to Organic

The funding will help NRCS provide farmers with the advice and knowledge they need to change their production methods.

Read more

USDA National Organic Program

The National Organic Program provides rigorous standards, under the widely-recognized USDA Organic seal, for the production of organic crops and livestock products, giving consumers confidence that the organic foods they […]

Read more

Certified Organic Survey: 2021 Summary

15 December 2022: Based on a census of producers certified organic or transitioning to organic certification, this report provides the latest statistics on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States.

Read more

Organic Trade Association and Black Farmers Index Partner to Diversify Organic Agriculture

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Black Farmers Index, the largest public listing of black agriculturalists in the U.S., have joined forces to diversify organic agribusiness, a large and growing industry in […]

Read more

108 results found: organic

National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics

June 2024. The National Strategy for Reducing Food Loss and Waste and Recycling Organics is the first interagency strategy to lay out a plan for the United States to meet its national goal of halving food loss and waste and achieving a 50% recycling rate by 2030.

Read more

New Funding, Programs, and Partnerships Boost Organic Production

During Organic Week (14-16 May), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced a series of initiatives to create and expand organic markets in the United States. These new programs, partnerships, grant […]

Read more

Meet Larry Santos, Organic Farmer of the Year

Larry Santos of Taylor Farming in Salinas, California, has been named 2024’s Organic Farmer of the Year, recognized by the Organic Trade Association (OTA) for his outstanding contribution to organic agriculture.

Read more

Stronger Organic Standards Bring Consistency to Animal Welfare

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) has welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) introduction of updated standards for organic livestock and poultry production. The standards are expected to create “a […]

Read more

Meet 2022 Organic Farmer of the Year – April Jones Thatcher

The Organic Trade Association’s Organic Leadership Awards recognize individuals making a tangible difference to the U.S. organic industry. For organic producers, the highest accolade is Farmer of the Year, which […]

Read more

U.S. Organic Production, Markets, Consumers and Policy, 2000–21

10 April 2023: A comprehensive analysis of the organic industry since 2000, from policy to production.

Read more

$75 Million Investment Helps Producers Transition to Organic

The funding will help NRCS provide farmers with the advice and knowledge they need to change their production methods.

Read more

USDA National Organic Program

The National Organic Program provides rigorous standards, under the widely-recognized USDA Organic seal, for the production of organic crops and livestock products, giving consumers confidence that the organic foods they […]

Read more

Certified Organic Survey: 2021 Summary

15 December 2022: Based on a census of producers certified organic or transitioning to organic certification, this report provides the latest statistics on certified organic crops and livestock commodities in the United States.

Read more

Organic Trade Association and Black Farmers Index Partner to Diversify Organic Agriculture

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) and Black Farmers Index, the largest public listing of black agriculturalists in the U.S., have joined forces to diversify organic agribusiness, a large and growing industry in […]

Read more

Insights and Opinion

Introducing Maine’s Forest Management Champions

After more than three decades of tree farming, Jay and Kathryn Libby have won the 2025 Maine Outstanding Tree Farm Award.

Read more

The Virginia Family Farm Conserving Centuries of Stewardship

The Ellis family - Benjamin, Shannon and their son Tripp - farm in the environmentally sensitive and highly regulated Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

Read more

Why Sustainably Produced Forest Products Have the Edge

As the public and private sectors increasingly choose building materials based on factors such as carbon footprint and renewability rather than solely on cost, sustainably sourced wood products offer a promising solution.

Read more

Parker Ranch, Hawaii: Caring for the Land, Cattle and Customers 

The old Hawaiian proverb “The land is chief, and man is its servant” guides Parker Ranch and its cow-calf operation. The ranch raises cattle in a way that respects natural resources while ensuring cattle health, beef quality and food safety.

Read more

Latest Reports

The 2024 United States Agricultural Export Yearbook

May 2025. A detailed overview of U.S. agricultural exports in 2024, highlighting key export markets and top-performing commodities.

Download now

Spatially Resolved Greenhouse Gas Emissions of U.S. Milk Production in 2020

May 2025. A comprehensive farmgate life cycle assessment (LCA) that enhances understanding of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. dairy industry.

Download now

Innovation Today for Tomorrow’s Crops: The Peanut Research Foundation’s 2024 Annual Report

May 2025. The latest annual report from The Peanut Research Foundation, the American Peanut Council's research arm, highlights the latest research innovation and investments aimed at keeping the U.S. peanut industry competitive.

Download now

The Value of Grain Exports Study

April 2025. An updated study examining the contributions of U.S. grain exports to the U.S. economy.

Download now

Latest News Articles

USSA Newsletter: June 2025

USSA News: latest agricultural trade export data, new dairy LCA, Maine's forest stewards.

Read more

U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Celebrates Six Years of Growth

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol has achieved its sixth consecutive year of growth. The voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton now represents 18% more acres and 14% more growers than in 2024.

Read more

Secretary Rollins Promotes U.S. Agriculture in Italy

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins led a trade delegation to Rome, Italy, in early June as part of a program to expand market access for U.S. agricultural products in Europe.

Read more

U.S. Agricultural Exports Reach Third-highest Value on Record

In 2024, the value of U.S. agricultural exports reached $176 billion, the third-highest total on record. The European Union (EU) emerged as the fourth-largest market for these exports, with tree nuts ranking as the top export commodity in the region.

Read more

Policies and Regulations

U.S. LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Whilst the USSA members work to exceed regulatory requirement, U.S. laws and regulations provide a robust framework, developed over many years, to ensure and promote the sustainability of its crop, livestock, seafood and forestry sectors. The policies look to immediate impacts on the environment and beyond to cover topics from employment to biodiversity to endangered species. The following pages provide context and an introduction to key federal legislation.

READ MORE

U.S. CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Focused on conservation and environmental stewardship, the USDA, working with The Natural Resources Conservation Service on technical assessment and the Farm Service Agency for enforcements, uses grant management to deliver best practice. A particular focus is on erodible lands and wetlands, with ‘sodbuster’ and ‘swampbuster’ rules, requires presentation of conservation strategies prior to conversion of lands to agricultural use. One result, that soil loss has been halved since 1982.

READ MORE

U.S. SUSTAINABILITY LAWS

The U.S. recognizes that sustainability has many facets and action is required in explicit areas. This has resulted in the enactment of a wide range of laws from the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act to the Endangered Species Act, to research and regulatory action on Insecticides and Fungicides and Rodenticide Act; and, with the Lacey Act a focus on illegal trafficking of plants, fish and animals.

READ MORE

Latest Podcasts

EP8- FARMING HERITAGE: RESPECTING TRADITION, EMBRACING CHANGE

In the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability, we hear from two multi-generational farmers – an eleventh-generation grains farmer from Maryland and the owner of a centennial cattle farm in Louisiana – about how they have moved with the times while staying true to their roots. We cover rotational grazing, no-till cultivation, water conservation, biotech seeds, and more. And we discuss why going back to the natural cycle is sometimes the best approach.

LISTEN NOW

EP7- FORESTS AND THEIR ROLE AS A NATURAL CLIMATE SOLUTION

Tune in to the latest episode of This is U.S. Sustainability to hear how Paul Catanzaro and Professor Tony D’Amato work together to reach family forest owners and ensure they have the information and resources to make the right decisions about their land. And learn about the vital role Tim Stout, a Vermont landowner, plays in amplifying their message.

LISTEN NOW

EP6- FROM JET FUEL TO BEER: NEW USSA PODCAST UNCOVERS INNOVATIVE USES FOR FOOD WASTE

Tune in for the lowdown on the innovative, often surprising ways the almond industry and the wider food sector are reducing waste. Jet fuel, beer, water filters and peat moss to grow mushrooms – these are just some of the many applications in use and under development.

LISTEN NOW

Recent Videos

Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [2/2]

Discover how softwoods were used in the architecture of PDX Main Terminal, Portland, Oregon, in this new series from the Softwood Export Council.

Watch now

Wood in Architecture: Building with U.S. Softwoods [1/2]

This new series from the Softwood Export Council spotlights the global reach and versatility of American softwoods in architecture, offering a behind-the-scenes look at sustainable forestry practices.

Watch now

Industry Excellence Video Series

This new series from the American Feed Industry Association explores the $267 billion U.S. animal food industry, offering insights into its scale and impact. 

Watch now