1. There is 100% inspection of farms in group certification through the Internal Control System (ICS)
2. The ICS is third-party certified by USDA-accredited certifiers.
3. The majority of the world’s organic farmers are group-certified, and it has improved their lives.
4. Banning group certification will hurt these farmers, and the organic sector will lose millions of farmers as they cannot afford third-party certification.
5. The cheap imports will then be supplied by agribusiness that will be third-party certified.
6. The trade sectors drive the lower prices and take the highest percentage of the final sale price.
7. A campaign to ensure fair prices for family farmers must be launched to counter the trade sectors that take the most of the retail price.

All group certification systems have an Internal Control System (ICS) as part of their documented quality assurance system. This includes the organic standard, training to ensure compliance with the standard, and inspection procedures. Inspectors trained in the ICS procedures inspect every farmer annually.

The accredited third-party certifier (USDA accredited) checks the whole ICS, including office procedures, staff roles, standards, and records, ensuring the ICS has inspected every farmer. In addition, every year, the certifier randomly and directly inspects a percentage of farmers to ensure that they comply with the ICS. If they find non-compliance, they will continue to check more farmers, resulting in the loss of the certification.

Photo credit: Joel Caldwell

Organic group certification is one of the biggest success stories in taking family farmers out of poverty and food insecurity and into a life of well-being. Over 2 million family farmers benefit from it.

Most group certification schemes are run by not-for-profit organizations that democratically elect their boards and employ local staff to manage the operations. These organizations tend to sell their products to traders and marketing companies that import and export them. This sector determines the prices farms receive and consumers pay. This sector takes the highest percentage of the final sale price, not the farmers.

The cost of certification is not the reason imported products from developing countries are cheaper than US products. Lower labor and production costs are the reason the trade sector can undercut the prices farmers at the country of destination receive to take a larger share of the market. This applies to all products from these countries, whether third-party or group-certified.

Banning group certification will not fix the problem of cheap imports. It will only stop small family farmers, some of the poorest on the planet, from earning an income and force them into extreme poverty.

The overall cost of certifying a group is much higher per acre than certifying a single farm. Agribusiness companies can acquire and consolidate these vacated farms and have them all certified as one large farm for a lower cost per acre. They will mechanize production and employ a small percentage of the ex-farmers as low-paid landless laborers. The rest join the farming diaspora, living in poverty on the fringes of the big cities. We see this with imports of organic avocados, mangoes, wine, etc, from Latin America and grains from Eastern Europe. These are all third-party certified large-acre organic farms consolidated from previously small-family farms.

These corporations will continue to land cheap organic products on the US market, undercutting US organic farmers.

Being undercut by imports is an issue that all farmers face, not just organic farmers in the US. The loss of income from family farms is one of the driving forces for the worldwide farming diaspora. The majority of migrants crossing into the USA and Europe are farmers who have been forced off their land by poverty and food insecurity.

Cheap U.S. GMO imports have put most Mexican corn farmers out of business. Californian imports destroyed the off-season grape market in tropical Australia, bankrupting farmers. Australian and New Zealand grass-fed meat undercuts U.S. producers like Will Harris of White Oak Pastures. The list is enormous.

The key issue is that all countries, including the USA, must protect their farmers from cheap imports. In the past, tariffs were used for this purpose; however, ‘free trade’ such as NAFTA has removed them, put farmers out of business, and made massive profits for agribusiness.

It is not just imports. Organic hydroponics, CAFOs, and corporate supply chain monopolies put family organic farms out of business.

Low-cost industrial-scale monocultures and agribusiness marketing monopolies are major contributors to the farming diaspora.  This is part of the bigger issue of agribusiness destroying family farming by driving down the percentage of retail sales they receive. The percentage of the retail price farmers receive continues to decline from 80% a century ago to as low as a few percent for the highly processed toxic junk now sold as food. The traders have taken this money and continue to improve their percentage at the expense of farmers. Farmers need to get their fair percentage.

A campaign to ensure ‘Fair prices for Family Farmers’ is urgently needed. The organic sector needs to partner with our like-minded allies to develop and run this campaign. Consumers and traders must actively support their local and national organic farmers by paying fair prices rather than the lowest price for their products.

The post Fair Prices for Farmers appeared first on Regeneration International.

A solo unas semanas de distancia, este es el primer evento latinoamericano que aborda la transición de la industria hacia procesos de agricultura regenerativa. Estamos reuniendo a expertos de toda la cadena de suministro agrícola para discutir los temas centrales y los desafíos.

¡Únete a mí y comencemos una discusión colaborativa! Más información aquí

The post Regeneration International presente en el evento de Agricultura Regenerativa y los Sistemas Alimentarios LATAM 2024 appeared first on Regeneration International.

Just a few weeks away now, this is the inaugural Latin American event discussing the industry transition towards regenerative farming processes. We are gathering together experts from across the farming supply chain to discuss the core themes and challenges.

Join me and begin a collaborative discussion. More information here

The post Regeneration International as Part of the Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems LATAM 2024 appeared first on Regeneration International.

Vandana Shiva has been described in many ways: the “Gandhi of Grain,” “a rock star” in the battle against GMOs, and “the most powerful voice” for people of the developing world. For over four decades she has vociferously advocated for diversity, indigenous knowledge, localization, and real democracy; she has been at the forefront of seed saving, food sovereignty, and connecting the dots between the destruction of nature, the polarization of societies, and indiscriminate corporate greed.

In Terra Viva, Dr. Shiva shares her most memorable campaigns, alongside some of the world’s most celebrated activists and environmentalists, all working toward a livable planet and healthier democracies. For the very first time, she also recounts the stories of her childhood in post-partition India—the influence of the Himalayan forests she roamed; her parents, who saw no difference in the education of boys and girls at a time when this was not the norm; and the Chipko movement, whose women were “the real custodians of biodiversity-related knowledge.” Throughout, Shiva’s pursuit of a unique intellectual path marrying quantum physics with science, technology, and environmental policy will captivate the reader.

Terra Viva is a celebration of a remarkable life and a clear-eyed assessment of the challenges we face moving forward—including those revealed by the COVID crisis, the privatization of biotechnology, and the commodification of our biological and natural resources.

CONTINUE READING ON CHELSEA GREEN

The post Terra Viva: My Life in a Biodiversity of Movements appeared first on Regeneration International.

La agricultura regenerativa es un sistema de cultivo y ganadería que tiene como objetivo principal la regeneración de la salud del suelo, el aumento de la biodiversidad, la mejora del ciclo del agua y la captura de carbono en el suelo. A diferencia de los métodos convencionales de agricultura, que a menudo se centran en la productividad a corto plazo y pueden degradar los recursos naturales, la agricultura regenerativa busca crear sistemas agrícolas que sean sostenibles a largo plazo.

Principios de la agricultura regenerativa

Manejo holístico: Considerar la finca como un ecosistema completo, donde cada componente interactúa con los demás.

Cobertura del suelo permanente: Mantener el suelo cubierto con plantas o mulch para protegerlo de la erosión y mejorar su salud.

Diversidad de cultivos: Rotación de cultivos y diversificación para mejorar la salud del suelo y controlar plagas de forma natural.

SEGUIR LEYENDO EN AGRONOTIPS

The post Agricultura regenerativa: Qué es y cómo aplicarla en el día a día appeared first on Regeneration International.

The post El INIA realiza Curso presencial “Agricultura regenerativa con biotecnología para la salud del suelo” appeared first on Regeneration International.

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2024 Semester 2 Course Dates and Times

Each lesson is 90 minutes

SESSION 1  Monday

Europe, Africa, & Asia, Thursday

07.00 West Africa

08.00 UK & West Africa

09.00 Central European Summer Time, Southern Africa.
10.00 East Africa
12.30 India
13.30 Myanmar

14.00 Thailand
15.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia

17.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time

19.00 Fiji

20.00 New Zealand

SESSION 2

USA, Monday
12.00 Hawaii & Rarotonga
15.00 US Pacific
16.00 US Mountain, Mexico
17.00 US Central
18.00 US Eastern, Chile
19.00 Brazil

Asia Pacific, Tuesday
06.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia
08.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time  (Queensland)
10.00 Fiji, New Zealand

Lesson 1: Maximizing Photosynthesis

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia– Monday, July 8

Session 2:       North/South America  Monday, July 8
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 9

Lesson 2:  Ground Covers and Weed Management

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 15

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 15
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 16

Lesson 3:  Soil Health and Nutrition in Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 22

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 22
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 23

Lesson 4: Using Functional Biodiversity to Manage Pests and Diseases

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 29

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 29
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 30

Lesson 5: Making It Happen – Applying the knowledge

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, August 5

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, August 5

Pacific, SE Asia, E.

The post Webinar – Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative Organic Agriculture appeared first on Regeneration International.

2024 Semester 2 Course Dates and Times

Each lesson is 90 minutes

SESSION 1  Monday

Europe, Africa, & Asia, Thursday

07.00 West Africa

08.00 UK & West Africa

09.00 Central European Summer Time, Southern Africa.
10.00 East Africa
12.30 India
13.30 Myanmar

14.00 Thailand
15.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia

17.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time

19.00 Fiji

20.00 New Zealand

SESSION 2

USA, Monday
12.00 Hawaii & Rarotonga
15.00 US Pacific
16.00 US Mountain, Mexico
17.00 US Central
18.00 US Eastern, Chile
19.00 Brazil

Asia Pacific, Tuesday
06.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia
08.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time  (Queensland)
10.00 Fiji, New Zealand

Lesson 1: Maximizing Photosynthesis

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia– Monday, July 8

Session 2:       North/South America  Monday, July 8
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 9

Lesson 2:  Ground Covers and Weed Management

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 15

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 15
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 16

Lesson 3:  Soil Health and Nutrition in Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 22

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 22
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 23

Lesson 4: Using Functional Biodiversity to Manage Pests and Diseases

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 29

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 29
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 30

Lesson 5: Making It Happen – Applying the knowledge

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, August 5

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, August 5

Pacific, SE Asia, E.

The post Webinar – Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative Organic Agriculture appeared first on Regeneration International.

2024 Semester 2 Course Dates and Times

Each lesson is 90 minutes

SESSION 1  Monday

Europe, Africa, & Asia, Thursday

07.00 West Africa

08.00 UK & West Africa

09.00 Central European Summer Time, Southern Africa.
10.00 East Africa
12.30 India
13.30 Myanmar

14.00 Thailand
15.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia

17.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time

19.00 Fiji

20.00 New Zealand

SESSION 2

USA, Monday
12.00 Hawaii & Rarotonga
15.00 US Pacific
16.00 US Mountain, Mexico
17.00 US Central
18.00 US Eastern, Chile
19.00 Brazil

Asia Pacific, Tuesday
06.00 Singapore, the Philippines, & Western Australia
08.00 Australian Eastern Standard Time  (Queensland)
10.00 Fiji, New Zealand

Lesson 1: Maximizing Photosynthesis

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia– Monday, July 8

Session 2:       North/South America  Monday, July 8
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 9

Lesson 2:  Ground Covers and Weed Management

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 15

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 15
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 16

Lesson 3:  Soil Health and Nutrition in Regenerative Organic Agriculture

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 22

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 22
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 23

Lesson 4: Using Functional Biodiversity to Manage Pests and Diseases

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, July 29

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, July 29
Pacific, SE Asia, E. Australia, Tuesday, July 30

Lesson 5: Making It Happen – Applying the knowledge

Session 1: Europe, Africa  Pacific, SE Asia, Australia, Monday, August 5

Session 2:       North/South America, Monday, August 5

Pacific, SE Asia, E.

The post Webinar – Certificate Course on Agroecological, Regenerative Organic Agriculture appeared first on Regeneration International.