Organic Food Regulators Reschedule Their Very Important Meeting
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting got rescheduled to January 13-14, 2026, and will be held online. Farmers, organic producers, and anyone interested in organic rules can join and share their thoughts by December 30, 2025. This meeting helps decide what can or can’t be used in organic farming, keeping organic standards strong and clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Meeting Rescheduled and Virtual
You can join the National Organic Standards Board meeting online on January 13-14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. ET each day. Access will be via the internet and/or phone and meeting access information will be posted on the AMS website.
Deadline to Submit Written Comments
You may submit written comments on NOSB matters through December 30, 2025 via Regulations.gov (Doc. No. AMS-NOP-25-0034) or by mail if postmarked by that date. Comments submitted after December 30, 2025 will be added to the public docket, but Board members may not have adequate time to consider them before making recommendations.
Board Will Vote on Organic Substances
The NOSB will discuss and vote on proposed recommendations about whether substances should be allowed or prohibited in organic production and handling, including petitions to add or remove substances from the National List and items under sunset review. Meeting topics will also include guidance on organic policies.
Reasonable Accommodations Available
USDA will provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities for the NOSB meeting, such as sign language interpretation or assistive listening devices, if requested in advance to the contact listed in the notice. Determinations for accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-11847 — Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection
The USDA wants to keep collecting info from pecan growers in 16 states and update how they do it. This affects farmers in places like Texas, Georgia, and California, helping the government keep pecan marketing smooth and fair. If you grow pecans, you’ve got until August 11, 2026, to share your thoughts—no extra costs, just a little paperwork refresh!
2026-11883 — Pecans Grown in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas; Continuance Referendum
Pecan growers in 16 states will vote from July 6 to August 3, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage pecan marketing. Only growers who produce a lot of pecans or own enough pecan acres can vote. This decision affects how pecans are handled and could impact growers’ costs and sales in the future.
2026-10880 — Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems; Delay of Effective Date
The USDA is pushing back the start date for new rules about how poultry growers get paid and how capital improvements are handled. Instead of starting July 1, 2026, these rules won’t take effect until December 31, 2027. This delay gives everyone more time to think through the changes and what they mean for growers and poultry dealers.
2026-10378 — Onions Grown in South Texas; Temporary Suspension of Continuance Referendum
Onion growers in South Texas won’t have to vote in the usual 2026 continuance referendum because it’s temporarily paused. This pause lets the USDA focus on updating the marketing rules first, giving farmers time to adjust before the next vote, which won’t happen until 2032. The change kicks in May 26, 2026, and could affect how onions are marketed and sold, but no extra costs are expected right now.
2026-09571 — Designation Opportunities for United States Grain Standards Act
The USDA is opening up chances for companies and state agencies to become official grain inspectors in six areas because some current inspectors’ designations are ending or were canceled. If you want to apply or share your thoughts on the current inspectors, you’ve got from June 1 to June 30, 2026, to do it. This is a great opportunity for new players to step in and keep grain inspections running smoothly, with no fees mentioned.
2026-09326 — Kiwifruit Grown in California; Continuance Referendum
California kiwifruit growers will vote from May 18 to June 8, 2026, on whether to keep the current rules that help manage how kiwifruit is grown and sold. Only growers who produced fresh-market kiwifruit between August 2024 and July 2025 can vote. This vote decides if the marketing order continues, which affects how the industry works and could impact growers’ costs and sales.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-22760 — Request for Comments on the Renewal of a Previously Approved Information Collection: Seamen's Claims, Administrative Action, and Litigation
The Maritime Administration wants to keep collecting info from seamen who get hurt or sick while working on U.S. government ships. This renewal won’t change the process but asks for your thoughts within 30 days. It affects about 15 people yearly and takes about 12.5 hours each to complete, with no new costs involved.
Next: 2025-22762 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Notice and Request for Comment; Advanced Drunk Driving Prevention Technology Telltale Development
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants your thoughts on a new info collection to help develop a cool new warning light that stops drunk driving. This affects drivers, car makers, and safety fans, with comments due by February 13, 2026. No big costs yet, just a chance to shape safer roads with smart tech!