May 2017 Gleanings
Bill Duesing, CT NOFA Organic Advocate
NOFA is a big voice for organic matters. As a member of CT NOFA you are part of
something greater- over 5,000 NOFA members in seven state chapters in the
Northeast. As one of the oldest and largest
organic farming organizations in the country, NOFA’s voice is important not
only on local issues, but also on national and international issues through our
partner organizations.
The NOFA Interstate Policy Committee held its annual planning and
educational retreat in April in Bourne, MA. We shared the issues each of the
seven state chapters are working on, heard reports from representatives to
partner organizations and learned about the history of United States
agriculture movements from the 1950s through the 1980s .
On the State Level
I reported on CT NOFA’s work this year in support of:
- a ban on roadside herbicide spraying,
- a ban on the use of shredded tires as mulch in children’s playgrounds on public property,
- maintaining a strong Community Investment Act for its support of local agriculture programs,
- and work against climate change.
All of these are a heavy lift in the closely divided legislature
facing severe budgetary problems. To
learn more about the current state of these and other environmental bills still
under consideration, visit our partner organization, the Connecticut League of
Conservation Voters’ site.
Connecticut is ahead of other NOFA states in its pollinator
protection policies, (See these guides written by long-time CT NOFA board
member Kim Stoner, http://www.ct.gov/caes/cwp/view.asp?a=2826&q=578322
.) but several other states are working on them. It may be the most popular bi-partisan issue
these days and that’s a good sign.
Most of our states are trying to find a way to encourage
regenerative farming, that is farming which builds topsoil and biodiversity to
fight climate change, improve water cycles and generally make things better and healthier. (Notice that this is very close to organic,
but not all organic is regenerative.
Farmers need to be very intensive about using cover crops and reducing
tillage to be regenerative.)
But incentivizing these practices is hard to do. The effects of good practices (and the stored
carbon) from one year can be wiped out the next by any of the enemies of
regeneration: tillage, chemical fertilizers, excess nutrients, pesticides or
bare soil. In Vermont, the organic farmers are upset that the regenerative
farming bill would add another costly certification for organic farmers who
also want the regenerative certification.
New York NOFA reported on their years’ long fight against the
release of a genetically engineered diamondback moth. https://www.nofany.org/files/Genetically_Engineered_Diamondback_Moth_GDM_Apr_2017.pdf
On the National Level
NOFA works with our partner organizations and participates in
conference calls and meetings to support organic food and farming in the nation
and the world. We use the internationally recognized principles of organic
agriculture as our guide - health, ecology, fairness and care. http://www.ifoam.bio/en/organic-landmarks/principles-organic-agriculture
NOFA is a founding member of the National Organic Coalition
(NOC), a strong voice for organic integrity in Washington and at meetings of
the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), citizen advisors who make
recommendations to USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Important questions
include :
Will the organic animal welfare standards approved by the Obama
administration be enacted by the current one?
A decision is now put off until the fall.
What will the NOSB recommend about hydroponics and organic
certification? NOFA’s voice is strong
for keeping the soil in organic. Hydroponic produce from countries that don’t
allow it to be certified organic is sold here as USDA organic. Also a few, very
large growers in California are certifying hydroponically grown fruit.
A national Organic Farmers Association is forming to provide
certified organic farmers with a national voice. Maddie Monte from NOFA VT is our
representative to this group which combines efforts of grassroots organic
groups and of Rodale to organize organic farmers.
Through our membership in the National Sustainable Agriculture
Coalition (NSAC) your voice is heard in Washington on a range of issues often
involving the farm bill and support for beginning farmers, conservation
practices and organic research.
Your voices have been heard in Washington asking for thorough
questioning of Sunny Purdue as Secretary of Agriculture, for evaluation of the
effects of the Monsanto Beyer merger on the availability of vegetable seeds and
in support of public breeding programs for plant varieties and animal breeds to
protect genetic diversity and face the challenges of climate change.
Your voice individually and through CT NOFA makes a
difference. Speak up!
