Monthly Archives: July 2012

Office of Inspector General’s audit of the National List

Posted on July 26, 2012 by admin

The audit report released on July 20 gave a verdict of “no finding” to the review process for the National List and for selection of members for the NOSB. The response from those watching the organic industry has been one … Continue reading →

Posted in National List, NOSB, organic food, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

quick thoughts on pests and chemicals

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin

I read two fascinating articles this morning (both are historical pieces). The first (by Sawyer, 1990) discusses USDA research into biological pest control during the years between 1888 and 1951.  Not much headway was made into some pests, e.g., gypsy moths … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, USDA | Leave a comment

still more wonky thoughts on the NOSB board

Posted on July 19, 2012 by admin

Today’s number crunching examines the membership of the board by two categories: are the members employed (directly or indirectly) by a big food company (organic or conventional), and does the member have a history in the organic, conventional or “sustainable” … Continue reading →

Posted in NOSB, organic food, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

urban agriculture

Posted on July 18, 2012 by admin

Other work in progress is related to a NIFA funded study of urban agriculture: http://video.nytimes.com/video/2012/07/18/business/100000001669368/business-day-live-urban-farms.html

Posted in NYC, urban agriculture | Leave a comment

more on the NOSB (wonkish)

Posted on July 18, 2012 by admin

This morning, just for fun, I ran a few statistical tests on the composition of the NOSB. First, I linked the year the person was appointed to the president in office at the time. Note that some error might have … Continue reading →

Posted in NOSB, organic food, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

composition of the National Organic Standards Board

Posted on July 17, 2012 by admin

By law, the National Organic Standards Board consists of 15 members, with representation as follows (see blog post on this topic by NOP director, Miles McEvoy): 4 farmers/producers 3 environmentalists/resource conservationists 3 consumer/public interest advocates 2 handlers/processors 1 retailer 1 … Continue reading →

Posted in food politics, NOSB, organic food | 1 Comment

The National List and organic agriculture

Posted on July 16, 2012 by admin

The national list is a sensitive subject right now, and has been discussed or referred to in several media publications in the past week (all are variations of the NY Times article): San Francisco Chronicle , Boston Globe, NY Times, Baltimore … Continue reading →

Posted in NOSB, organic food | 2 Comments

cynicism about the farm bill

Posted on July 13, 2012 by admin

The most recent big news about the farm bill is that the House agriculture committee passed their version yesterday, although the full House has not yet voted on the bill.  Rather than discussing the contents of the bill (which are … Continue reading →

Posted in farm bill, food policy, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

big organic and the National Organic Standards Board??

Posted on July 8, 2012 by admin

Today’s NY Times has an article discussing big organic’s influence on the industry. A key factor the author hones in on is that as the industry has grown larger, the composition of the National Organic Standards Board, (NOSB) has changed … Continue reading →

Posted in food policy, NOSB, organic food | Leave a comment

farmers markets in Manhattan

Posted on July 6, 2012 by admin

This summer, I’m continuing my quest to understand the food environment in Manhattan, NY.  Two food studies students – Siobhan Wallace and Leanne Brown – are working with me to catalog the availability of food (including prices) in the farmers … Continue reading →

Posted in buy local, farmers markets, food availability, Manhattan NY, NYC | 2 Comments