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Organic, Family-Scale Farming

Organic production, regenerative farming, and responsible land management are fundamental for healthy ecosystems and strong rural communities. We promote policies that support and invest in sustainable agriculture.

Fracking on Organic Farms (January 7, 2019)

Data indicates as many as 10-31 percent of U.S. organic farms have or could be affected by fracking.

Data indicates as many as 10-31 percent of U.S. organic farms have or could be affected by fracking.

Comments to NOSB on petitions and motions (October 4, 2018)

PCC submits comments on petitions and motions regarding flavors, gums, magnesium stearate, plastic mulch, and impacts of oil and gas drilling to the National Organic Standards Board.

PCC submits comments on petitions and motions regarding flavors, gums, magnesium stearate, plastic mulch, and impacts of oil and gas drilling to the National Organic Standards Board.

Oppose changes that undermine the NOSB (May 24, 2018)

Changing the authority or composition of the NOSB would harm the integrity of organic standards and undermine consumer trust.

Changing the authority or composition of the NOSB would harm the integrity of organic standards and undermine consumer trust.

Revitalize public seed breeding (May 23, 2018)

Farmers need new seeds that are regionally adapted, for diverse markets, and ensure traditional non-GE American farmers are competitive.

Farmers need new seeds that are regionally adapted, for diverse markets, and ensure traditional non-GE American farmers are competitive.

Protocols for import fraud (May 3, 2018)

This bill would strengthen documentation and traceability of imported organic products.

This bill would strengthen documentation and traceability of imported organic products.

Native ecosystems and soil-less growing methods (October 11, 2017)

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: PCC supports protecting native ecosystems from conversion to farmland. We support the vote to prohibit hydroponics from organic claims.

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: PCC supports protecting native ecosystems from conversion to farmland. We support the vote to prohibit hydroponics from organic claims.

Fund organic to meet market demand (June 14, 2017)

USDA must fund the National Organic Program to ensure U.S. organic farmers can meet growing demand for organic food.

USDA must fund the National Organic Program to ensure U.S. organic farmers can meet growing demand for organic food.

A proposed checkoff program for organic (April 19, 2017)

We do not see sufficient evidence to support a mandatory organic checkoff program. Checkoff programs have high admin costs, weak oversight and favor large companies.

We do not see sufficient evidence to support a mandatory organic checkoff program. Checkoff programs have high admin costs, weak oversight and favor large companies.

Purple sprouting broccoli research (April 14, 2017)

PCC supports Organic Seed Alliance's research for a new overwintering vegetable &emdash; purple sprouting broccoli &emdash; and donates to the project.

PCC supports Organic Seed Alliance's research for a new overwintering vegetable &emdash; purple sprouting broccoli &emdash; and donates to the project.

Carrageenan in organics, algae harvesting and hydroponics (October 26, 2016)

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: Carrageenan should not be allowed and harvest of seaweed and algae needs review. PCC supports NOSB position on hydroponics.

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: Carrageenan should not be allowed and harvest of seaweed and algae needs review. PCC supports NOSB position on hydroponics.

PCC comments for organic integrity (April 14, 2016)

PCC asks National Organic Standards Board for a moratorium on use of fracking waste water; to prohibit carrageenan, sodium and potassium lactate, BPA, SIO2; squid and "organic" salmon.

PCC asks National Organic Standards Board for a moratorium on use of fracking waste water; to prohibit carrageenan, sodium and potassium lactate, BPA, SIO2; squid and "organic" salmon.

PCC comments for organic integrity (October 5, 2015)

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: irrigating crops with fracking waste water, fish oils, tocopherols, palm olein, celery powder, potassium and sodium lactate, and NOP relations.

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: irrigating crops with fracking waste water, fish oils, tocopherols, palm olein, celery powder, potassium and sodium lactate, and NOP relations.

PCC endorses the 2015 Farm-To-School Act (June 8, 2015)

PCC urges Congress to support the Farm to School Act. It would improve children's health, increase market opportunities for farmers, and support rural communities.

PCC urges Congress to support the Farm to School Act. It would improve children's health, increase market opportunities for farmers, and support rural communities.

Oral testimony for a transitional organic label (April 26, 2015)

PCC urges USDA to reinstate the transitional-to-organic program to incentivize domestic growers to meet the growing demand for organic food.

PCC urges USDA to reinstate the transitional-to-organic program to incentivize domestic growers to meet the growing demand for organic food.

PCC Comments to NOSB on various topics (April 5, 2015)

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: nanotechnology, changes to the Sunset Provision, unfilled OFPA provisions, algal flour, tocopherols, fish oil, and non-GMO verification.

Comments to National Organic Standards Board: nanotechnology, changes to the Sunset Provision, unfilled OFPA provisions, algal flour, tocopherols, fish oil, and non-GMO verification.

Support for the organic cost share program (November 7, 2013)

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program helps small and medium farms transition to organic methods. It's a tiny program with huge impact for family farmers.

The Organic Certification Cost Share Program helps small and medium farms transition to organic methods. It's a tiny program with huge impact for family farmers.

The organic Sunset Provision and organic aquaculture (October 1, 2013)

USDA's changes make it harder to keep synthetics out of organics. It's premature to consider feed additives for aquaculture when a framework and regulations haven't been established.

USDA's changes make it harder to keep synthetics out of organics. It's premature to consider feed additives for aquaculture when a framework and regulations haven't been established.

Stop allowing antibiotics for organic fruit (March 7, 2013)

PCC opposed the use of antibiotics in organic apple and pear production. We also comment on a number of other ingredients.

PCC opposed the use of antibiotics in organic apple and pear production. We also comment on a number of other ingredients.

Comments to various NOSB committees (May 1, 2012)

PCC comments to the National Organic Standards Board on poultry living conditions, artificial additives inositol and carrageenan, solvents, and the need for transparency in technical reviews.

PCC comments to the National Organic Standards Board on poultry living conditions, artificial additives inositol and carrageenan, solvents, and the need for transparency in technical reviews.

Testimony to the National Organic Standards Board (April 26, 2011)

Six PCC representatives testified for strong animal welfare rules, on the risks of net-pen aquaculture, and the use of synthetic additives in organic products.

Six PCC representatives testified for strong animal welfare rules, on the risks of net-pen aquaculture, and the use of synthetic additives in organic products.

Feeding the world’s people (January 19, 2009)

The IAASTD found small-scale, low-input, agro-ecological and organic farming is more effective in feeding the world's hungry than energy- and chemical-intensive models.

The IAASTD found small-scale, low-input, agro-ecological and organic farming is more effective in feeding the world's hungry than energy- and chemical-intensive models.

Proposed improvements to the Farm Bill (October 15, 2007)

PCC proposes measures that encourage fair and competitive markets; funding for organic research, conversion and cost-share programs; and limits to commodity subsidies.

PCC proposes measures that encourage fair and competitive markets; funding for organic research, conversion and cost-share programs; and limits to commodity subsidies.

Reforms to ensure fair markets (January 18, 2007)

Measures to restore fair and competitive markets would address packer control of livestock markets, set standards for fair contracts, and be transparent.

Measures to restore fair and competitive markets would address packer control of livestock markets, set standards for fair contracts, and be transparent.

Support Rural Cooperative Development Grants (May 17, 2006)

The NW Cooperative Development Center deserves a USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant. Co-ops create greater economic benefits than national chains with more profits reinvested in communities.

The NW Cooperative Development Center deserves a USDA Rural Cooperative Development Grant. Co-ops create greater economic benefits than national chains with more profits reinvested in communities.

Organic dairy cows should be pastured (May 11, 2006)

Regular confinement of lactating cows for other than temporary health issues or extreme weather is not suitable to the species' natural needs, or the needs of the land, and is not acceptable.

Regular confinement of lactating cows for other than temporary health issues or extreme weather is not suitable to the species' natural needs, or the needs of the land, and is not acceptable.

Safeguards from agricultural industry consolidation (July 27, 2005)

Market consolidation effectively eliminates free market competition, hurting independent family farmers and consumers. This joint letter proposes legislation to address these concerns.

Market consolidation effectively eliminates free market competition, hurting independent family farmers and consumers. This joint letter proposes legislation to address these concerns.

Supporting BIOAg Program at WSU (June 26, 2005)

Thank you to Rep. Linville for supporting and helping to secure funding for WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program.

Thank you to Rep. Linville for supporting and helping to secure funding for WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program.

Conservation, COOL & Farm to Cafeteria support (June 21, 2005)

PCC urges Senators Murray and Cantwell to support funding Conservation Security, Country of Origin Labeling, and Farm to Cafeteria programs.

PCC urges Senators Murray and Cantwell to support funding Conservation Security, Country of Origin Labeling, and Farm to Cafeteria programs.

Funding requests for sustainable food programs (April 19, 2005)

Washington's legislators should fund WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program, and the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.

Washington's legislators should fund WSU's Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program, and the WIC and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Programs.

Oppose cuts to value-added and conservation programs (July 4, 2003)

Cutting funds for the Value-Added Producer Grant and Conservation Security Programs are short-term fixes. These programs offer long-term benefits to the environment and food security.

Cutting funds for the Value-Added Producer Grant and Conservation Security Programs are short-term fixes. These programs offer long-term benefits to the environment and food security.

Support Small Farm Direct Marketing (June 12, 2003)

The Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program must continue to receive funding, despite cuts and a tight budget. This program has been highly successful and is important for our state's food security.

The Small Farm and Direct Marketing Program must continue to receive funding, despite cuts and a tight budget. This program has been highly successful and is important for our state's food security.

Reinstate 100% organic feed requirement (March 26, 2003)

Thank you, U.S. Representatives, for supporting the requirement of 100% organic feed under National Organic Standards.

Thank you, U.S. Representatives, for supporting the requirement of 100% organic feed under National Organic Standards.

Reinstate 100% organic feed requirement (March 26, 2003)

Thank you, Sens. Cantwell and Murray, for supporting reinstatement of the 100% organic feed requirement in National Organic Standards.

Thank you, Sens. Cantwell and Murray, for supporting reinstatement of the 100% organic feed requirement in National Organic Standards.

Letter to Rep. Larsen: BiOAg program at WSU (March 11, 2003)

Thank you Rep. Larsen for efforts in securing funding the Organic and Biologically Intensive Agriculture (BioAg) Program at WSU.

Thank you Rep. Larsen for efforts in securing funding the Organic and Biologically Intensive Agriculture (BioAg) Program at WSU.

Letter to Sen. Murray: BiOAg program at WSU (March 11, 2003)

Thank you, Sen. Murray, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.

Thank you, Sen. Murray, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.

Letter to Rep. Nethercutt: BiOAg program at WSU (March 11, 2003)

Thank you, Rep. Nethercutt, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.

Thank you, Rep. Nethercutt, for helping to secure funding for the Biologically-Intensive Agriculture and Organic Farming (BIOAg) program at WSU.

USDA Organic meat should mean all-organic animal feed (February 25, 2003)

Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill should be repealed because it contradicts National Organic Standards requiring all organic feed rations.

Section 771 of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill should be repealed because it contradicts National Organic Standards requiring all organic feed rations.

Support Small Farm and Direct Marketing programs (January 30, 2001)

We ask the Washington state Senate Agriculture Committee to support small farm, direct marketing programs. Direct marketing delivers higher returns to farmers.

We ask the Washington state Senate Agriculture Committee to support small farm, direct marketing programs. Direct marketing delivers higher returns to farmers.

USDA proposed organic standards need revision (June 5, 2000)

PCC says USDA's second draft for National Organic Standards must not allow genetic engineering, irradiation or sewage sludge. They should support family farms.

PCC says USDA's second draft for National Organic Standards must not allow genetic engineering, irradiation or sewage sludge. They should support family farms.