On March 2, Moffitt visited with Georgia Organics and farmers Russell Brydson (Slim Approach Farm), Celia Barrs (Woodland Gardens), and Nicholas Donck (Crystal Natural Farm) to debate rising certification prices and easing the limitations to attaining and sustaining natural certification.
In the course of the assembly Moffitt outlined a brand new USDA initiative that will supply further assist for natural growers, and the dialog ranged from reimbursements and value shares to certifier customer support, and the shortage thereof. Moffitt was additionally extraordinarily occupied with studying extra about Georgia Organics’ Accelerator program, 200 Natural Farms work, and the numerous obstacles natural farmers face in Georgia and the Southeast United States.
Moffitt, who started serving because the undersecretary on Aug. 11, 2021, grew up on and ultimately ran a licensed natural household walnut farm in California. Mofitt now oversees the division of the USDA that administers the Nationwide Natural Program, and lots of others, together with home and worldwide advertising of U.S. agricultural merchandise, plant and animal well being, genetically engineered organisms laws, the Animal Welfare Act, and wildlife injury administration.
The USDA not too long ago launched extra particulars on the natural transitioning program Moffitt alluded to. Whereas extra particulars are wanted, the brand new Natural Transition Initiative seems to be a much-needed dedication from the USDA to stage the enjoying subject for farmers searching for to attain natural certification.
Lastly, the interplay with Moffitt and subsequent USDA actions to assist natural agriculture affirm that advocacy efforts, as requested by Georgia Organics’ constituents, are an necessary a part of the group’s dedication to natural farmer prosperity.
The Natural Certification Value Share Program will stay one in all Georgia Organics’ prime advocacy priorities as 2023 Farm Invoice discussions warmth up. Georgia Organics will proceed to push for significant advances within the Farm Invoice alongside its allies, particularly the Nationwide Sustainable Coalition, which offered Georgia Organics with a grant to start its farmer advocacy efforts, and the Natural Commerce Affiliation, upon whose Farmer Advisory Council, Local weather Change Process Power, and Variety Council Georgia Organics sits.
