check off

The U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., ruled a lawsuit brought by independent ranchers who say the Beef Checkoff Program threatens their livelihood can go forward. The court’s opinion denied a motion to dismiss by the USDA, writing that the ranchers have successfully alleged they have “associational standing” to challenge USDA’s practices. The case will proc ...

On Wednesday, House lawmakers introduced the Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act. Supporters said the legislation will reform and bring accountability as well as transparency to Commodity Checkoff Programs. Applauded by the Organization for Competitive Markets, the organization claims checkoff programs “have long been plagued by scandal after scandal for misappropriation of funds, lack of t

Nevada Democrat Dina Titus recently introduced legislation to create financial controls and transparency for the USDA Ag checkoff programs.  Titus said, “The USDA’s checkoff programs have operated without sufficient oversight for far too long. The "Opportunit...

The Organic Trade Association is looking for the “best and brightest ideas” from organic stakeholders on how to put together a voluntary “checkoff-like” program for the organic sector.  Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue decided last May that the USDA wouldn’t move forward on a mandatory checkoff for the organic industry.  As a result, the private sector initi...

The Organic Trade Association announced a plan to move the industry toward a voluntary industry-invested organic research, promotion, and education checkoff program.  It will be put together and in place by stakeholders across the organic supply chain.   ...

The Organic Farmers Association is happy the U.S. Department of Agriculture took action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic. The proposed program was causing divisions among the organic community...