Storm Clouds Over USDA’s Organic Oversight
January 12, 2026 | Source: Organic Eye
LA FARGE, Wis. —After initially being postponed because of the federal government shutdown, the USDA is holding its semiannual meeting of the National Organic Standards Board this week (virtually).
The NOSB was created by Congress to advise the USDA Secretary on implementing the federal law governing organic production and marketing, including having the veto power for whether or not any given synthetic material, or non-organic agricultural input or ingredient, should be allowed.
Historically, the board has met in person for three and a half long days, including an extensive amount of time set aside for public comments from organic industry stakeholders, farmers, processors, marketers, and consumers/eaters who gathered from around the country.