Updates from the 21st Century Ag Commission, NOSB Meeting, Film Premiere Event, and more!

By NOFA/Mass Board Member John Duke

Earlier this year, NOFA/Mass was invited to appoint a representative to the Special Commission on Agriculture in the Commonwealth in the 21st Century, and I was thrilled to volunteer. In addition to our seat, the other members of the commission include: the Chairs of the House and Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committees; other members of the House and Senate; the Commissioner of the Department of Agricultural Resources; representatives from the Executive Offices of Energy and Environmental Resources and Economic Development; the Massachusetts Farm Bureau; UMASS Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment; Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association; Massachusetts Association of Dairy Farmers; and other specialists. A complete list of appointees, videos of hearings to date, and more information on the committee, can be found here.

So far, there have been four hearings. The first two were largely introductory. The third hearing covered state legislation that is in the works that is related to Agriculture, with bill sponsors presenting on their bills. Some of these are bills that NOFA/Mass is actively supporting. I was particularly excited to hear from Representative Paul Schmid about H41, a proposal for a legislative amendment to the constitution relative to agricultural and horticultural lands, which could have significant value to the NOFA/Mass community. It would reduce the acreage for 61A property tax qualification to 2 acres in rural settings and ¼ of an acre in urban areas. This would provide meaningful savings for folks working smaller operations and would act as an incentive for folks considering food production on their land in the Commonwealth. A full list of bills presented can be found here.

The most recent hearing, held on 10/19, was to discuss economic and community development on farms in Massachusetts. Here we heard testimony from state program directors as well as from farmers expressing various concerns and barriers they face. Carmen Mouzon, the President of the Board and Strategic Planning Director at The Farm School in Athol, gave some particularly compelling testimony regarding BIPOC growers, availability and accessibility of land, and the acknowledgement of wrongdoings in our food system. All of the farmer testimony was pointed, articulate, and resonated. It can also be found here.

The Commission will continue to meet monthly through December. Upcoming topics include Education and Research, Renewable Energy, Climate Change, and Natural Disaster Mitigation. A report will be submitted after the hearings are complete. I thank the elected officials and appointees on the Commission for their time and efforts in addressing complicated problems we are facing with optimism and open minds.

By: Ruben Parrilla, NOFA/Mass Education Director

In a unique and inspiring gathering, organizations at the forefront of the food and environmental movements came together to co-host an event that left an indelible mark. At its core was the screening of a powerful film that delved deep into the heart of our organization’s mission.

This event was more than just a film screening; it was a pivotal moment in the fight against injustice and inequality within our food system. The film laid bare the harsh realities of a deeply flawed system, highlighting three key issues that strike at the very heart of our mission:

Inequality and Racial Injustice: The film courageously exposed the systemic inequalities and racial injustices that have plagued the entire food system. It’s a stark reminder that the status quo is fundamentally unjust and needs radical change.

Special Interests and Their Influence: Special interests have insidiously shaped various aspects of the food system, from farm to fork. Notably, the film shed light on how they have infiltrated land grant university research, especially in areas like pesticide usage. We cannot ignore the devastating consequences of this influence.

Regenerative Food as Indigenous Wisdom: The film’s keen insight revealed that the regenerative food movement is, in essence, a rebranding of indigenous knowledge. It underscored the importance of acknowledging and respecting these deep-rooted traditions.

Our organization is unwavering in its commitment to confronting these injustices head-on. We’re dedicated to creating a food system that works for everyone, one that doesn’t harm our environment and is genuinely regenerative.

Join us in exploring the profound impact of this event, as we delve into the film’s message and the passionate panel discussions that ensued. Together, we will continue our mission to curb pesticide use, fight for a fair and equitable food system, and champion the regenerative principles that can shape a better future for all.

By NOFA/Mass Events Manager Hannah McDonald and Project Manager Annie Sholar

NOFA/Mass sent several staff members to attend various parts of the recent National Organic Standards Board meeting in Providence, RI, as well as other related gatherings that were taking place around the NOSB meeting. One important topic throughout the week was the ongoing Transition to Organic Partnership Program, to which we are connected through a partnership with the National Organic Coalition (NOC), one of our key allies in our federal policy work, and other organizations. In addition to time spent with our allies at NOC, we were lucky to spend time over the course of the week meeting folks from the National Organic Program (NOP) and many other national and regional partners, all with the aim of increasing the availability and quality of organic food in our communities.

We watched as the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) discussed the state of organic and what is or isn’t approved in organic farming, develop recommendations for everything from fish emulsion to livestock vaccinations, each topic with their own contentions, clarity and need for enforcement to those who commit fraud within the system. Thankfully the NOP is spending time and energy on deciding organic standards. One must wonder how the standards of chemical-based agriculture are created, and if they are as intentionally enforced and debated? You can learn more about the process and activities of the NOSB here.

NOFA/Mass and our allies at the National Organic Coalition celebrate the long-awaited publication of a new regulation that will ensure high animal welfare standards for animals raised on organic farms, including a clear requirement for access to the outdoors for organic poultry production. The new rule, known as the ‘Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards Rule’, will level the playing field and ensure that all organic livestock products comply with baseline practices and principles for animal welfare and treatment. The new rules, which are available today, represent more than a decade of work to clarify and improve animal welfare standards in organic. They incorporate input from thousands of stakeholders as well as recommendations from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), a federal advisory board to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Operations will need to comply with much of the rule within one year, but the rule includes a longer implementation period for indoor and outdoor space requirements for broiler and layer operations. NOC had requested a shorter timeline for implementation.

“NOC applauds the USDA for their sustained work to complete the Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards rule,” said Abby, Executive Director at the National Organic Coalition. “The rule protects the health and well-being of organic livestock and is necessary to guarantee a fair marketplace for organic producers. Organic is designed to ensure that food is produced with the highest standards and in alignment with the expectations of consumers, who want animals raised with access to the outdoors in humane environments.”

Finalizing a rule to strengthen organic animal welfare standards in the organic certification program has been a top priority for the National Organic Coalition (NOC). Previously, we urged the Biden-Harris Administration to take immediate action to finalize organic animal welfare rules and submitted detailed comments on the proposed rule that was open for public comment in 2022. NOC also participated in a lawsuit led by Center for Food Safety challenging the 2018 withdrawal by the Trump Administration of the previous organic animal welfare rule that was finalized in 2017 (the ‘Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule’). As a result of this lawsuit, USDA reconsidered its previous position: that the agency did not have the authority to institute animal welfare regulations under the organic program.

Organic certification is voluntary – producers who certify to organic standards agree to strict requirements to protect the environment, human health, and animal welfare. These strict standards are responsible for the success of organic in the marketplace and consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for organic products. Consumers who choose to buy organic eggs, poultry, and meat expect organic farmers to raise their animals in the healthiest conditions possible – to provide access to the outdoors, space to move around, and freedom to exhibit their natural behaviors. And farmers and ranchers who choose to follow organic standards expect a level playing field. It wasn’t the case until today, with the release of a new organic animal welfare rule.

“Most organic livestock and poultry operations already adhere to high standards. But they are being undercut economically because of loopholes in the organic standards that allow a few operations to deny meaningful outdoor access to animals,” says Youngblood.