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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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.

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$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 […]

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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.

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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 […]

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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 […]

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

Healthy Soils, Resilient Farms: Lessons from U.S. Soil Conservation

Healthy soils are the foundation of productivity and climate resilience, as highlighted by USSA’s David Green and Maite Caballero in an article for Open Access Government.

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Leather and Sustainability: A Call to Action at COP29

As the world convened for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) to address some of the most pressing global challenges, the leather industry came to the table with a solution, not a problem. Kevin Latner of the Leather & Hide Council of America elaborates in an exclusive article for the USSA.

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Better Seed, Better World: Plant Breeding Innovation Can Feed the World and Save the Planet

Farmers are under increasing pressure due to climate change, global conflicts, and trade disruptions. However, advances in plant breeding offer hope, writes Andy LaVigne, the President and CEO of the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA).

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Interview: USSEC’s Tarik Eluri on U.S. Soy Sustainability, From Innovation to Verification

Tarik Eluri, sustainability manager at the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), a founding member of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA), recently discussed U.S. sustainable agriculture with Spain’s Fundación Antama – a non-profit that promotes new technologies for agrifood and the environment.

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Latest Reports

America’s Farms and Ranches at a Glance: 2024 edition (Report No. EIB-283)

December 2024. This report outlines the characteristics of America’s diverse farms and ranches, including ownership, financial performance and precision agriculture adoption, based on an annual survey.

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The Almond Almanac 2024

December 2024. A comprehensive overview of the California almond industry in the 2023/24 crop year, including industry statistics, sustainability progress and Almond Board of California program updates.

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Potential for U.S. Agriculture to be Greenhouse Gas Negative

November 2024. This report identifies the practices that offer the greatest potential for reducing emissions in U.S. agriculture in five key areas. These range from soil carbon management to efficient energy use.

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Transparency in Action: The U.S Cotton Trust Protocol Annual Report 2023/24

October 2024. An update on the Trust Protocol over the past 12 months. The report covers grower participation and progress across key sustainability metrics, from resource efficiency to soil health

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Latest News Articles

Feeding the World, Protecting the Land in Colton, Washington

Art Schultheis, a fifth-generation wheat farmer from Colton, Washington, firmly believes in taking care of the land. With an ever-growing population and shrinking land base, Art says that growing crops sustainably is more important than ever.

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U.S. Soy Industry Updates National Sustainability Goals

The U.S. Soy industry has updated its national sustainability continuous improvement goals to meet the growing demand for sustainably produced soy. Using 2020 as the benchmark, the new goals build on a history of sustainability improvements.

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USSA Finds Common Ground on Climate-Smart Agriculture in the EU 

In December (2024), a delegation from the U.S. Sustainability Alliance (USSA) visited the UK, Belgium and The Netherlands to discuss climate-smart agriculture with government and industry stakeholders.

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Ninety-six Percent of America’s Farms are Family Farms

Family farms are the backbone of U.S. agriculture, accounting for 96% of operations and 83% of production in 2023.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Recent Videos

American Lobster Harvesting & Sustainability

Hear directly from noted seafood chef and author Barton Seaver about the sustainability of the American lobster industry.

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L&HCA Documentary Series Establishes Leather as a Sustainable Material

The new Rewind documentary series from Real Leather Stay Different. aims to provide some balance in the debate about the use of our land, fast fashion and our future.

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USMEF Sustainability Video

This video highlights the emphasis on sustainability by the U.S. beef industry. Watch this story of beef farmers’ and ranchers’ multi-generational commitment to the environment with buyers and consumers around the world.

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