Organic Standards Board to Meet: Shape the Future of Organic Farming

You might care about this because the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a public meeting for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). This board is really important for organic farming in the United States. Its main job is to help the USDA create the rules for what can be used in organic food production. The board also advises the Secretary of Agriculture on how to put the Organic Foods Production Act into practice. This notice tells everyone about the upcoming meeting, which will take place from May 12 to May 14, 2026. It will be held in Omaha, Nebraska, but people can also join virtually online. Before the main meeting, there will be online public comment sessions on May 5 and May 7, 2026. If you want to submit written comments or speak at these sessions, you need to do so by May 4, 2026. The meeting will cover important topics like deciding which substances should be allowed or not allowed in organic products. It will also review substances already on the approved list to see if they should stay there. This means the board will discuss changes to the official list of substances used in organic farming. All meeting materials and instructions for how to participate will be available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) website. This is a chance for the public to learn about and comment on the rules that govern organic agriculture. What makes this notice particularly interesting is the direct influence the National Organic Standards Board has on the entire organic industry. The NOSB is not just a discussion group it actively makes recommendations to the USDA about what materials and practices qualify as organic. Their decisions directly affect the 'National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances'. This list is essentially the backbone of organic certification. Any substance that organic farmers use, from fertilizers to pest control, must either be on this allowed list or not on the prohibited list. So, when the board meets to discuss adding or removing substances, it has a direct impact on what organic farmers can and cannot do. It also shapes what consumers expect from products labeled as organic. The review of existing substances, called 'sunset review', ensures that organic standards stay current and scientifically sound. This meeting is where the technical and practical details of organic farming standards are debated and decided. It is a critical step in maintaining the integrity and trust associated with the 'organic' label. People who would be most interested in this legal document include organic farmers and ranchers, because the board's decisions directly affect their farming methods and their ability to get certified as organic. Manufacturers of organic food and products will also find this very relevant, as the rules for their ingredients are set here. Consumers who buy organic food will want to know about these discussions, since the standards define what they are purchasing. Environmental groups and advocates for sustainable agriculture might also follow these meetings closely, as the standards often reflect broader environmental goals. Scientists and researchers in agriculture could find the discussions on specific substances and practices important for their work. Anyone involved in agricultural policy, government regulation, or food safety will also find this information valuable. Essentially, anyone who cares about how organic food is grown and processed, and what goes into it, should pay attention to the NOSB's work.