USDA Appoints New NOSB Members
On Friday, February 4, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the appointment of four new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is made up of 15 volunteer members representing the organic community. The new members will each serve five-year terms, through January 2027. Two certified organic farmers were appointed to the board.
NEWLY APPOINTED NOSB MEMBERS:
Elizabeth (Liz) Graznak (Missouri) is appointed to an environmental protection and resource conservation seat. Graznak has a degree in Environmental Studies and has shown a commitment to sustainable agriculture as a certified organic farmer and during past appointments with environmentally focused Boards. She was named the 2021 MOSES Farmer of the Year.
Allison Johnson (California) is appointed to a public interest or consumer interest group seat. Johnson currently works for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). She is an attorney with experience working with organic regulations, an organic certifier (CCOF), and has focused her work on sustainable food systems.
Dr. Dilip Nandwani (Tennessee) is appointed to the scientist seat. Nandwani is a professor at Tennessee State University and holds a Ph.D. in Botany. He has 10-years of teaching experience, with a focus on organic agriculture, certification, and crop science.
Javier Zamora (California) is appointed to a farmer seat. Zamora is with JSM Organics, a 100-acre vegetable/fruit certified organic farm, and has 20-years of farming experience. He has provided farmers assistance with direct marketing regulations, organic compliance, and developing direct marketing channels. He is fluent in Spanish.
WHAT IS THE NOSB?
The NOSB (National Organic Standards Board) is a Federal Advisory Board established under the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990. The Board meets monthly and with the organic community two times a year (typically April and October). As a board, they assist in developing organic standards and advise the Secretary of Agriculture on aspects of the National Organic Program. The USDA has more about the board here: www.ams.usda.gov/organic.
Join today and support organic food & farms!
Organic Farmers Association members support a strong voice for organic farmers in Washington, D.C.
The Organic Farmers Association is the ONLY national organization where solely independent certified organic farms determine its policies and work agenda. OFA was founded on the belief that the voice of farmers like you should carry the most weight in agricultural policy decisions.
In recent years, OFA has made a difference by putting significant pressure on the USDA to finalize the Origin of Livestock Rule to help organic dairies and finalize the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to stop organic fraud and increase enforcement. We testified and advocated to allow paper pots for small-scale vegetable growers, introduced the ODAIRY Act of 2023, and advocated for stronger animal welfare standards for organic livestock and poultry production (OLPS Rule).
We have proved that farmer voices are stronger when we work together. Join us in this movement by becoming a member today!
Farm
Membership
U.S. certified organic farmers should select this membership. Only farm members are eligible to vote on Organic Farmers Association policy positions and priorities. International farmers, or farms that are not certified organic, should select the Supporter Membership.
Supporter Membership
Not a certified organic farmer, but want to support the organic farmers that make our planet and food systems a better place? Supporter members will be connected to the discussions about policies that affect organic farmers, and be called to advocate on their behalf.
Organization Membership
Organizations that have a significant membership (or stakeholders) of certified organic farmers should select this membership. Organization Members receive the tools they need to advocate for policies important to organic farmers and extend their network.