Action Alert: Protect NOSB in Senate Farm Bill

May 3, 2018
|In News
|By ofassociation

May 3, 2018

As the Farm Bill is negotiated and crafted, we will be contacting you when legislators need to hear from YOU on organic issues.  This is an ACTION ALERT.   We need your help! YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

TARGETS: Your two Senators

TIMING: TODAY into EARLY NEXT WEEK!

WHY:  Senate Farm Bill MUST PROTECT NOSB

The House of Representatives aims to vote on the House farm bill version this month.  Senate farm bill action is also expected in May. We need the Senate Farm Bill to advocate for our organic programs.  While we anticipate the Senate to follow some of our organic priorities, we are currently most concerned about changes they will make to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)– a body of organic stakeholders that works to ensure organic integrity.   The proposed changes would weaken the authority and purpose of the NOSB, and OFA opposes changes to NOSB! 

We need your help to tell your SENATORS to protect NOSB & not change it.   You can call (faster) or email.  See below for call talking points and an example email.

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PHONE CALL

Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121

*Press 1 for Senate.  Enter your zip code to connect with your Senators.

  • Ask for the Senator’s Agriculture Legislative Assistant (LA).
  • Tell your Senator’s office that you are an organic farmer. Tell them the town where your farm is located and describe your farm business.
  • Urge the Senator to oppose any attempts to change the National Organic Standard Board in the Farm Bill. (If your Senator is on the Agriculture Committee, ask them to protect NOSB in committee negotiations.  If they are not on the Ag Committee, ask them to talk with their Senator friends who are). 
  • The Organic seal is one of USDA best known seals.
  • The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) plays an important role in supporting that seal. NOSB determines which materials can be used in organic farming and is the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of organic seal.  It must be protected.

(See below for more detailed background and talking points if interested.)

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EMAIL CONTENT:

FIND SENATE EMAILS: (https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm)

EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: Protect NOSB in Senate Farm Bill

I am an organic farmer in (your town), (describe your farm business).

The Organic seal is one of USDA best known seals. Consumer confidence in the seal has a direct impact on my business’s bottom line.

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) plays an important role in supporting that seal.  NOSB determines which materials can be used in organic farming and is the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of organic seal.

I encourage the Senator to oppose changes to that would weaken organic standards or change the makeup of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).

Thank you for considering my request.  If you have any questions, I can be reached at (your phone number).

Sincerely,

Your name

Mailing address

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Background:

The Senate Agriculture Committee is considering Farm Bill legislation that would change the structure and authority of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).  The hydroponics industry has been working with Senate Agriculture Committee to change how NOSB operates. The NOSB is at the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of the organic seal. Organic Farmers Association supports organic production that is soil-based.  We believe that the organic process should remain transparent and that farmers should have an authentic representation and role  in the process.

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is made up of 15 dedicated public volunteers from across the organic community. The Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture on a wide variety of topics related to organic standards, including what materials should be allowed in organic farming.

Organic standards must remain strong to ensure trust in the label and to create a level playing field for the vast majority of organic farms and businesses that are playing by the rules.

Organic farming improves farmers’ incomes and boosts rural economies.

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SOCIAL MEDIA:

TWITTER:

Targets: Senate Ag Committee Democrats

(NOTE: when tweeting at individuals, always include a “.” Before the “@” to make sure it’s shared publicly, not just with that individual)

MI .@SenStabenow CO .@SenBennetCO
NY .@SenGillibrand IN .@SenDonnelly
VT .@SenatorLeahy ND .@SenatorHeitkamp
OH .@SenSherrodBrown PA .@SenBobCasey
MN @SenAmyKlobuchar MN Couldn’t find Sen Tina Smith on Twitter

Hashtags:   #saveorganic  #farmbill2018  #NOSB

Sample tweets

.@SenStabenow, thank you for your leadership on organic food and farming! We’re looking to you to #saveorganic and defend the #NOSB from attacks in the Farm Bill! #farmbill2018

.@SenStabenow, organic needs you more than ever! Defend the integrity of the organic standards and the #NOSB from attacks in the Farm Bill! #saveorganic #farmbill2018