GO ORGANIC! EDUCATION CORNER

Welcome to our new Organic Education Corner! We will update this page regularly to keep you up to date on the latest national and Georgia-based opportunities, research, resources, and policy.

EVERGREEN RESOURCES

• GO Organic! Resources - For transitioning and current USDA Certified Organic farmers.

• GO Organic! Technical Assistance - Georgia Organics’ staff have training in Organic Crop & Livestock inspection by the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and can help you achieve Organic certification. Contact us HERE.

• Certification Setbacks Resource- Avoid Common Mistakes with Organic Inputs 

• Organic Farming Q and A- Rodale Institute's candid Q&A with Southeast Organic Consultant De'Anthony Price

SCIENCE/RESEARCH

• (added on May 8, 2026) This isn't a shocker, but a new science summary from The Organic Center highlights research showing that integrating poultry into organic vegetable systems can significantly improve soil health and crop performance. Read more here.

• (added on April 15, 2026) New research published in Organic Agriculture highlights the potential of black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed extract as a natural alternative to antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Read more here!

FEATURED RESOURCES

• If you're considering making the transition to organic certification, this article, Transitioning to Organic: Lessons from TendWell Farm, may be of interest to you. Key takeaways:

  • Organic certification can reinforce your farm’s mission and values, providing accountability and communicating those values clearly to customers and buyers.

  • Certification is a long-term investment that requires planning and patience. Expect a learning curve and understand that benefits may take time to materialize.

  • Strong recordkeeping is essential, so setting up a workable documentation system for tracking inputs, planting schedules, harvests, etc. early on can make the process much smoother.

  • Organic practices result in long-term ecological benefits that strengthen your farm’s resilience to weather and pest pressures.

  • Certification can open doors to expanded market opportunities and potentially more stable pricing.

  • The transition period can be financially and operationally challenging, so having a financial plan and support network during this period is important.

  • Organic certification is an ongoing commitment and should be viewed as a long-term management approach rather than simply a label.

  • Certification shows commitment to transparency and stewardship and so can strengthen farm identity and customer relationships.

• Check out this new video from ATTRA: How to Make Hydrolyzed Fish Emulsion for Organic Production

NEWS

• (added on May 8, 2026) The Organic Trade Association recently released its 2026 Organic Market Report. Here are some takeaways that are relevant for small-scale organic producers:

  • The U.S. organic market reached a record $76.6 billion in 2025, growing 6.8% year-over-year, double the growth rate of the overall marketplace. Organic food sales grew three times faster than total food sales.

  • Organic produce remains the largest category, accounting for nearly 30% of all organic sales, reflecting consumer interest in healthy and plant-based foods.

  • Consumers are seeking “clean,” nutrient-dense foods, as demonstrated by the fact that across nearly every category, demand is being driven by interest in protein, cleaner ingredients, fewer additives, and “food as medicine.” Organic producers who can clearly communicate nutritional value, production practices, and ingredient transparency are well-positioned.

  • Direct-to-consumer and online sales remain important opportunities for smaller farms. The report notes that social media and direct-to-consumer channels continue helping smaller organic brands gain traction. Small farms that invest in storytelling, regional branding, CSA programs, farmers markets, or online engagement may benefit from these trends.

  • Supply constraints and domestic production gaps create opportunities for U.S. growers. The report repeatedly highlights shortages in domestic organic supply and policymakers and industry leaders are pushing for more domestic organic production and infrastructure investment through programs like the proposed Domestic Organic Investment Act. For small and mid-scale producers, this signals long-term market opportunity if they can scale strategically or fill regional supply gaps.

• (added on April 15, 2026) A new bipartisan bill called the Risk-Based Oversight for Integrity Act (ROI Act) has been introduced to improve how organic farms are monitored in the U.S. Instead of treating all farms the same, the bill would:

  • Focus inspections and oversight on farms that pose higher risk of violating organic rules

  • Reduce paperwork and inspection frequency for low-risk U.S. farms

  • Keep strict annual inspections for international operations

  It also would require the USDA to study and develop better risk-based inspection methods over the next year, with input from farmers and others in the organic community.

  Overall, the goal is to protect the integrity of organic products while making the system more efficient and less burdensome for farmers who are following the rules.

  The Organic Farmers Association and the Organic Trade Association are continuing to advocate for this legislation both as a standalone and as part of the Farm Bill. 

• (added on March 31, 2026) Rodale Institute shares new findings from one of their most important research reports. The big takeaway? Diversified, certified organic farms consistently outperform conventional farms on net income, even with slightly lower yields.

• (added on March 31, 2026) Organic Certification and Farmer Resiliency: How Can Farmers Overcome Transition Barriers and Remain Organic? -A new ATTRA publication takes an in-depth look at the challenges of organic certification from farmers' viewpoint.

• (added on March 31, 2026) The National Organic Program (NOP) has published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to amend the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and implement the following recommendations:

  • Allow carbon dioxide in organic crop production.

  • Allow meloxicam as a pain treatment in organic livestock.

  • Remove restrictions on the use of methionine in organic poultry feed.

  • Affirm that natural sodium nitrate is allowed in organic crop production, with certain conditions to protect soil quality.

  You can submit a public comment on these proposed changes! USDA welcomes comments on the proposed changes published in the Federal Register. The public comment period will close on May 22, 2026.

• (added on March 25, 2026) Organic Trade Week 2025 Recap: What Farmers Need to Know Going into 2026

• (added on March 16, 2026) USDA Renews 56 Substances on the National List - The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) has renewed 56 substances to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances, the list within the organic regulations that identifies synthetic substances that may be used and the nonsynthetic (natural) substances that may not be used in organic crop and livestock production. A complete list of the renewed substances can be found in the Federal Register notice.