Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, December 20, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Amy Bruch (ADB), NOSB Secretary & Crops & CACS Chair; Kyla Smith, HS Chair; Wood Turner (WT), 

Materials Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - PDS Chair; Brian Caldwell (BC) - Livestock Vice Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) -

Crops Chair

Absent: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), 

Livestock Chair

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Erin Healy (EH); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve November 15, 2022 notes

• Chairs Report (ADB for NPP)

o Sunset templates - universal deadlines

o NOSB work agenda for Spring meeting and beyond

o Annotation changes 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). Comment period closed November 10, 2022

o The Marketing Rule (Proposed Rule) (mushrooms, pet food)

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Comments due December 31, 2022

o National List Rules

o Nomination’s update

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Spring meeting timeline reminder (See below)

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (JD)

o Livestock (LS) (BC)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). Work agenda requests

o Crops (CS) (RG/ADB)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• November 15, 2022 notes were approved as written. 

• Chairs Report (ADB in place of NPP)

o Sunset templates - universal deadlines. The Chair summarized the new process the 

Subcommittees are piloting and opened it up for feedback and questions from members. The 

process was launched quickly with the goal of having all sunset reviews prepped early, so they 

can be reviewed by a second Subcommittee member before the document is passed to the full 

Board. Members expressed support for this new process, although it was launched quickly 

without clear guidelines and was not as smooth as they would have liked. The goal is continuous 

improvement, and this has improved the review process by requiring members to circulate 

drafts in advance of discussions.
o NOSB work agenda. The group reviewed the current iteration of the NOSB Work Agenda for the

Spring meeting and beyond. A member asked about the process for getting something added to

the work agenda, and was directed to the procedure laid out in the Policy and Procedures

Manual (PPM).

o Annotation changes. The NOSB has been discussing a work agenda project on how to manage

annotation changes, which often come up during sunset review. The NOSB would like to propose

a standing work agenda item in Handling, Crops, and Livestock for annotation changes, then,

during sunset reviews, there would be an option to ask questions of the community, and then

perhaps request a TR if needed.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). The final rule is in clearance, and NOP anticipates

that it will be published soon. NOP recently announced at a conference that publication is

weeks, not months, away.

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). The comment period closed November 10,

2022, and the NOP is evaluating comments at this time.

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Comments due December 31, 2022.

o National List (NL) Rules. There are several sunset renewals and NL rules in clearance.

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Spring meeting timeline (See below). The deadline to submit proposals for the Spring meeting is

mid-February.

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (JD). The PDS met last week and worked on several topics including

PPM updates and exit interviews.

o Livestock (LS) (BC). No quorum so today’s Livestock call was cancelled.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS sent four work agenda

requests to the Executive Committee members, and is seeking approval to have them added.

The Exec Committee approved all four and the CACS Chair will send a follow up email to the

NOP seeking final approval.

1. Under the current work agenda item on Enforcement: Continuation of work on certificates

to identify and standardize “transition” parcels (Spring 2023).

2. Under Climate:

a. Climate induced farming risk and crop Insurance discussion document (Spring 2023).

b. What/why organic? Looking at marketing and how to shine a light on the structure

and benefits of organic, given that there is not currently a marketing program

(Spring 2023).

3. Under Human Capital: Support for transitioning producers (Fall 2023).

o Crops (CS) (RG). The CS met today and completed a few sunset reviews, and a TR sufficiency

determination.

o Handling (HS) (KS). Handling met today and has reviewed 8 out of 19 sunsets. There are a couple

of pending TRs for 2025 sunset substances, and they are anticipating answers to follow-up

questions about the rye pollen extracts petition.

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The MS Chair prepared a list of topics for consideration

for the next iteration of the research priorities. Excluded Methods will go forward for the Spring

2023 meeting, likely as a discussion document. The MS also discussed a TR for induced

mutagenesis, which is part of the excluded methods document.

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

January 17, 2023

February 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

April 17, 2023 (Monday)

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Spring 2023 Milestones Target dates (tentative) Weeks PTM 

(prior to 

meeting)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 10, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2023 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 3, 2023

NOSB - Spring 2023 proposals due to NOP Feb 14, 2023 10 weeks

NOP - Post proposals Mar 6, 2023 7.5

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2023 3.5

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2023 3

Public comment webinars Apr 18 & 20, 2023 1 week

Spring 2023 NOSB meeting - Atlanta, GA Apr 25 - 27, 2023

Final recommendations due May 25, 2023
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Monday, November 15, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), NOSB Secretary & CACS Chair; Kim 

Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Dilip 

Nandwani (DN) - observer 

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Erin Healy (EH); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve September 20, 2022 notes

• Approve October 17, 2022 notes

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall Meeting debrief

o Reminder re: sharing information. Please remind the public to send comments to NOP for 

posting to the docket. Information shared with the Board is public.

o Sunset templates/schedule discussions for Spring 2025

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). 

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). Comment period closed November 10, 2022.

o The Marketing Rule (Proposed Rule) (mushrooms, pet food)

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Comments due December 31, 2022. 

o National List Rules

o Nomination’s update/process reminder

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Final Fall 2022 recommendations due: 

o Spring meeting timeline (See below). Atlanta, GA

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• September 20, 2022 notes were accepted as written

• October 17, 2022 notes were accepted as written

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall NOSB Meeting debrief. 

 The NOSB Chair heard positive feedback from the community about the in-person 

meeting. 
 The Chair praised the group for their collegiality, professionalism, and cohesiveness. He 

noted that it will be beneficial going forward. 

 Reminder re: sharing information. Please remind the public to send comments to NOP 

for posting to the docket. Information shared with the Board is public. Also, please 

refrain from circulating opinion pieces to all Board members, and try to only circulate 

and share research and background that the NOSB may need to do their work. 

o Sunset templates/schedule discussions for Spring 2025. Setting universal due dates for drafts, 

for efficiency and to improve the review process so people have enough time to review before 

they vote. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). OMB is reviewing. 

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). Comment period closed November 10, 2022. 

NOP received 39K + comments. Most were part of a letter writing campaign.

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Comments due December 31, 2022. 

o National List Rules. The final rule on low-acyl gellan gum and paper pots posted yesterday. 

o Nomination’s update/process reminder. Application review is in progress. 

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Final Fall 2022 recommendations due November 30.

o Spring meeting timeline (See below). Meeting is scheduled for Atlanta, GA

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) (KH). Moved today’s LS call so folks could tune into the NOP listening session. The 

LS has six sunsets for the Spring meeting. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS scheduled at least two calls

per topic to allow for in-depth conversations before voting. There are two proposed topics

under the Oversight improvements to deter fraud: Modernization of organic traceability: 1. A 

proposal on Minimum Reporting Requirements, and perhaps 2. a discussion document on 

grower groups (DD). The CACS is discussing whether to work on grower groups without knowing 

what is in the SOE final rule, since they are not looking to overlap or duplicate work. The CACS 

will also work on a proposal for Organic and Climate-Smart Agriculture. Amy Bruch will be Chair 

of the Crops Subcommittee in January once Rick Greenwood completes his Board term. 

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops met today and scheduled sunset discussions. The Subcommittees are 

piloting a new process where all sunset review drafts are submitted at the same time, in 

December, so each one can be reviewed by a second Subcommittee member before it is 

presented to the rest of the group. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The Handling Subcommittee has nineteen sunsets for the Spring review, one 

petitioned material for rye pollen extract, and potentially three other topics, including research 

priorities. Ion exchange resins will be a proposal. The HS also discussed a work agenda item on 

annotation changes, which they will discuss further before requesting it be added. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). Materials has a light work agenda. After the Spring 

meeting they issued a call to action for others to engage in the excluded methods work. The MS 

has begun the 2023 Research Priorities process, and asked that the CS, HS, and LS keep it on the 

work agendas for the upcoming semester.

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The new Chair for PDS will be Jerry D’Amore. He is looking 

forward to working on exit interviews and PPM updates. He noted that exit interviews are 

useful, and previous members were enthusiastic about sharing. 

• Additional Items. 

o Feedback about in-person meeting. Angle of screens could have been better for the front table. 

It was great to be able to meet in person and engage with each other and members of the 

community. 
o The new Subcommittee chairs and members will have a 2-month-long “apprenticeship” to 

transition, and will take over in January. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

January 17, 2023

February 21, 2023

March 21, 2023

April 17, 2023 (Monday)

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Spring 2023 Milestones Target dates (tentative) Weeks PTM 

(prior to 

meeting)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 10, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2023 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 3, 2023

NOSB - Spring 2023 proposals due to NOP Feb 14, 2023 10 weeks

NOP - Post proposals Mar 6, 2023 7.5

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2023 3.5

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2023 3

Public comment webinars Apr 18 & 20, 2023 1 week

Spring 2023 NOSB meeting - Atlanta, GA Apr 25 - 27, 2023

Final recommendations due May 25, 2023
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Monday, October 17, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim

Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Javier Zamora 

- observer; Dilip Nandwani (DN) - observer; Brain Caldwell (BC) - observer

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Erin Healy (EH); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve September 20, 2022 notes (not yet available)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Oral comment webinars this week (Oct 18 & 20)

o Fall Meeting agenda review/questions

o Potential questions for Q and A with NOP 

o Where to talk about topics not on agenda?

o Public Comment review process

o Comments from NOSB on rules - allowed? 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Update on hydroponics lawsuit

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS)

o The Marketing Rule (Proposed Rule) (mushrooms, pet food)

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). 

o National List Rules.

o Nomination’s update. 

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Oral comment webinars

o Fall meeting logistics. Travel, Pre-meeting administrative meeting, Board dinner, other 

gatherings.

o Work agenda for projection - Subcommittee Chair review

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). Speaker intro at meeting

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• September 20, 2022 notes were not ready for approval and will be circulated via email or approved at 

the next meeting. 

• Chairs Report (NPP)
o Oral comment webinars this week (Oct 18 & 20). The group briefly discussed the comment 

webinar logistics and preparation. 

o Fall 2022 Meeting agenda review/questions? The group did a high-level review of the NOSB 

meeting agenda and will review it more thoroughly prior to the meeting next week. 

o Members discussed potential questions for the Q and A with the NOP. The Chair asked that 

members focus comments/questions to things that are germane to the topic. 

o The NOSB Chair asked where during the NOSB meeting is it appropriate to address topics not on 

agenda. Commenters mentioned several topics that are not on agenda, and the NOSB would like 

to acknowledge them. 

o Public Comment review process. The group discussed the process for analyzing and summarizing 

both oral and written comments. 

o Comments from NOSB on rules - allowed? The NOSB is interested in commenting on the OLPS 

rule to emphasize the need for finalization. Typically, the Board doesn’t comment as a whole on 

rules and instead could put forth a resolution. The comment period closes November 10. 

o The Chair reminded members that the Executive call is a time to share information candidly, and 

would like to ensure that people feel comfortable expressing opinions. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Hydroponics lawsuit. No update at this time.

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). Under review at Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB). The NOP is anticipating comments soon. 

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). Comments now due November 10, 2022. 

o The Marketing Rule proposed rule (mushrooms, pet food) is under development.

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). The comment period was extended to 

December 31, 2022. 

o National List Rule containing nitrogen products and fertilizers is in development. 

o Nomination’s update. Applications are under review, and it is unlikely the appointee will be 

chosen or announced before the Fall NOSB meeting.

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting logistics. Travel is completed for the most part. The NOSB will have a pre-meeting 

administrative meeting to review the agenda and receive meeting materials. 

o Work agenda for projection at the meeting. The ACS asked that the Subcommittee Chairs review

the list prior to presentation.

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS cancelled its last call. The NOSB will update the 

community about the timing of the NOSB meetings during the Chair’s report on day 1. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). Livestock has 6 sunsets for the Fall meeting, and they are all straightforward 

and shouldn’t be controversial. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS has 5 topics on the Fall 

agenda, and received lots of thoughtful written comments and is looking forward to hearing oral 

comments this week. 

o Crops (CS) (RG). The CS has many agenda items for discussion at the Fall meeting: 15 sunsets 

and 2 proposals. Most are not controversial, although a couple of them, such as CO2, garnered

many written comments. The Chair noted that the sunset review of Biodegradable Biobased 

mulch Film (BBMF) might take some discussion time, and the CS may rearrange the agenda to 

allow more time for discussion. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS has many agenda items for discussion at the Fall meeting: Three 

proposals, 2 of which were petitioned, 1 discussion document on resins, and 12 sunset reviews. 
o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The MS Chair will introduce the guest speaker at the 

meeting, and in addition to proposal for research priorities, the MS will deliver a verbal update 

on excluded methods. 

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 23, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, September 20, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim 

Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Javier Zamora 

- observer

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Erin Healy (EH)

Agenda

• Approve August 16, 2022 notes (attached)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting planning

o Speakers at Oct 2022 NOSB meeting

o Field trips at NOSB meeting

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Update on hydroponics lawsuit

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS)

o The Marketing Rule proposed rule (mushrooms, pet food)

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)

o National List Rules

o Nomination’s update

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting logistics, travel 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT) 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• August 16, 2022 notes were accepted as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting planning. The meeting will be live-cast via Zoom, and will be hybrid. 

o Speakers at Oct 2022 NOSB meeting: Brise Tencer from the Organic Farming and Research 

Foundation (OFRF) will present an update. 

o Field trips - The NOSB considered the possibility of holding a field trip to a local farm or 

operation prior to the meeting, but due to logistics, will not schedule one. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Update on hydroponics lawsuit. No update, as the court has not ruled at this time. 
o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). Under review at Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB).

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) Comments due October 11. 17K comments 

received so far. 

o The Marketing Rule proposed rule (mushrooms, pet food) is under development. 

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Comments due November 1, 2022. AMS 

is reviewing a request to extend the comment period. 

o A National List Rule that includes NOSB recommendations on paper pots and low acyl gellen 

gum is in departmental clearance.

o A National List Rule that includes NOSB recommendations from the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 is 

in development. It includes nitrogen products and fertilizers. 

o Nomination’s update. Applications are under review, and it is unlikely the appointee will be 

chosen before the Fall NOSB meeting.

o The NOP released a new course September 15 on the Origin of Livestock (OOL) in the Organic 

Integrity Learning Center (OILC)

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting logistics. The ACS updated the members on travel, and meeting logistics.

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops Subcommittee met today and discussed TR sufficiency for the potassium 

sorbate petition. The CS had some additional questions for the contractor before they deem it 

sufficient. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The Chair noted that the Subcommittee is excited to 

see forward movement on inerts. The MS will discuss potential questions for the Q and A with 

the OFRF speaker, and will determine who will introduce her. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS met last week to talk about the new NOSB designations 

so they can address any potential questions. The PDS also discussed Covid-19 protocols and 

precautions for the in-person meeting. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). Livestock is caught up, and will meet in October before NOSB meeting. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS discussed process 

improvements to improve efficiency to increase discussion time for documents. The members 

also talked about the alumni panel scheduled for the last day of the NOSB meeting. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS met today and discussed long-term planning, a new petition for rye 

pollen extracts, a potential project on annotation changes, and a refresher on ancillary 

substances. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022
NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 23, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim 

Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD - observer

Absent: 

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Erin Healy (EH)

Agenda

• Approve July 19, 2022 notes (attached)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting proposal deadline - August 11

o Fall meeting planning

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o SOE

o OLPS (How can Board help? Messaging during comment period?)

o Marketing Rule 

o ANPR Inerts 

o Others

o Nomination’s update

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting documents - next steps; Comment period (Aug 31 - Sep 29)

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT) 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• July 19, 2022 notes were approved as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o The NOSB Chair thanked Board members and NOP staff for the iterative review process as they 

prepare documents for the Fall meeting. 

o The Fall meeting proposal deadline was August 11. The Chair thanked everyone for submitting 

their proposals and discussion documents on time, and it many cases, early. 

o Fall meeting planning is underway. Members briefly discussed the structure of the meeting.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Meetings hosted by USDA where there will be more than 50 people have to be approved by the 

USDA Covid Task Force at least 30 days prior. If the Board decides to hold the meeting virtually 

instead of in person, it would be helpful to decide as early as possible. The last Executive call 

before the hotel reservation cutoff is September 20.
o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). At Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 

review. 

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) Proposed Rule. The NOSB asked how or if the 

Board members could help with regard to communication to stakeholders. The NOP is hosting a 

listening session on August 19, and the rule is open for public comment through October 11, 

2022.

o The Marketing Rule (Proposed Rule), which includes pet food and mushroom standards, is in 

development. 

o A National List Rule that includes NOSB recommendations from the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 

meetings is under legal review. It includes paper pots and low acyl gellen gum. 

o A National List Rule that includes NOSB recommendations from the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 is 

in development. It includes nitrogen products and fertilizers. 

o The Origin of Livestock Rule published in April. 

o The Fall meeting notice was published in June, and the docket is open. The agenda, proposals 

and discussion documents should be posted around the end of August. 

o The Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) is pending publication, and will likely 

publish in late August or early September. 

o Nomination’s update. The NOP received 10 applications for the Environmental/Resource 

Conservation seat to January 2023. Applications are under review. 

o The response to the April 2022 NOSB recommendations is in clearance. 

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting documents - next steps. The NOP is proofreading and reviewing the documents for 

technical accuracy, and since many of them were submitted early, has completed most of them. 

If any need to be edited, the NOP will send them back to the Subcommittee Chair/lead author. 

o The Fall 2022 comment period should be open for 30 days, and close around Sep 29, 2022.

o Fall meeting planning. The NOP continues to monitor the CDC guidance. Last week the 

community covid levels in Sacramento were high, this week they are medium. The conference 

room at the hotel is big (~5700) sq ft. and Board members will be spread out at a U-shaped 

table. The hotel still has enhanced cleaning measures and ventilation.

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) (KS). The Handling Subcommittee worked on several proposals during the last 

couple of calls. The HS tried to schedule several pre-conversations while writing and then voting 

on proposals, which was very helpful. The Chair plans to work on some outstanding projects 

over the summer, including ancillary substances, and noted that it’s efficacious to think about 

bigger picture items while there is some time before the meeting. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The MS completed the Research Priorities proposal. 

They will also continue work on updating the Technical Report (TR) template, and the TBD list 

for the excluded methods project. The MS is considering a TR for induced mutagenesis. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS discussed how the NOSB arrived at the April/October 

meeting time frame and will provide an update at the meeting either during the PDS section or 

at the beginning of the meeting during the NOSB section. Several members have reached out to 

stakeholders in farmer communities to talk about the factors that went into the decision. The 

PDS anticipates community comment about the redesignation of the NOSB members to SGEs. 

The NOSB doesn’t expect much controversy about the public comment being scheduled only 

during webinars the week before the meeting and not at the meeting. The NOSB and 

community understand that this is the first in-person meeting, and it’s transitory. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The LS completed its sunset reviews early and has cancelled some calls. 
o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). CACS has five documents for the Fall 

2022 meeting: Three proposals and two discussion documents. The Chair is seeking ways to 

improve efficiency in Subcommittee to complete large projects in a timely manner.

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops had a full work agenda, with two petitioned proposals and many sunset 

reviews. The CS has also discussed the robustness of sunset reviews with an eye towards 

improving the process. This semester the NOSB requested TRs for many of the sunsets that had 

TRs that were 10 or more years old. 

• Additional Items. Members expressed support and appreciation for the work that went into these really 

large, important projects such as the climate change discussion document. 

• Speaker invitations for Fall meeting. The NOSB is discussing possible speakers for the Fall meeting. 

Members discussed potential topics and how to be fair and equitable when deciding who to invite. The 

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) offered to provide an update on the state of organic 

research, and the NOSB is considering other topics such as climate change as it pertains to organic, 

barriers to organic, resources, education, and marketing. The Board is anticipating a thoughtful and 

thorough conversation about climate smart agriculture to build on the CACS discussion document. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones 

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 23, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, July 19, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim 

Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Logan Petrey (LP) - MS Vice Chair MS; Javier Zamora (JZ) - observer

Absent: Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve June 21, 2022 notes (attached)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting proposal deadline - August 11

o Meeting timing - background and criteria for decision.

o BBMF update

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o SOE, OLPS, Marketing Rule, ANPR Inerts, Others

o Update on recent fraud case/CACS work on oversight to deter fraud

o Update on Human Capital project

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting logistics/Travel (October 18, 20, 25-27)

o Spring 2022 - Atlanta April 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT) 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• June 21, 2022 notes were accepted as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting proposal deadline is August 11. Please submit proposals as they are completed.

o Meeting timing - background and criteria for decision. Stakeholders have asked that the 

meetings be moved to a different time of year, and after two surveys, members have concluded 

that April/October works best for the majority. The NOSB Chair asked the Subcommittee Chairs

to discuss this on upcoming Subcommittee calls so members can address any stakeholder 

questions. The PDS will talk more about the criteria used to make the decision during its August 

call, and anyone is welcome to listen. 

o A member asked about having the Subcommittee Chairs gather to discuss overall NOSB 

workload. For example, Livestock has a light agenda and has cancelled calls, which could be 

“donated” to other, busier subcommittees. 

o Biodegradable Biobased Mulch Film (BBMF) update. BBMF is under sunset review, and Crops is 

discussing how this intersects with the NOSB recommendation that was voted on at the Fall 
2021 meeting. Based on feedback from Board, NOP agrees to hold the rulemaking until after the 

Fall meeting. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). The final rule is in departmental review. After other 

agencies have an opportunity to review it, it will then proceed to the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB).

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). The proposed rule is currently under review at 

the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Once OMB returns it, it will get posted in the 

Federal Register for a 60-day comment period. 

o The Marketing Rule, which includes pet food and mushroom standards, is in development. 

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). In review.

o National List Rules: Final rule on low acyl gellen gum and paper pots is nearly complete. 

o Proposed rule on ammonia extracts and associated ammonia recommendations is being drafted

in NOP. Update on recent fraud case in Minnesota. An operation in MN that had its certification 

revoked in 2020, was recently charged with grain fraud by the Department of Justice. Since the 

CACS has an active work agenda item on oversight to deter fraud, the CACS chair asked if the 

NOSB can help in any way. The NOP noted that in addition to the work the CACS is already 

doing, the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule is likely to be helpful in situations like this.

Members were encouraged to reach out to the NOSB Chair for questions. 

https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/enforcement/organic-enforcement-activity

o Update on Human Capital project. The human capital project was initiated a year ago, and so far 

has been a success. It has resulted in apprenticeships, farm days, and intensive trainings, among 

other things. The NOP is receiving deliverables and will curate them into materials for 

dissemination. Aspects such as inspector qualifications and training, and work force 

development will be longer term projects and are likely to be folded into future initiatives. 

o Climate smart grants. NOP has no information about timeline for awards.

o NOSB Charter. The Charter is renewed every two years, and in the latest renewal the USDA 

chose to redesignate four seats on the Board from representatives to SGE’s (special government 

employees). The primary difference is that SGEs have to file financial disclosure forms each year

and are held to the government conflict of interest standards. This change will be announced in 

the Organic Insider this week, and the Charter will be posted on the AMS website. Should any of 

the four affected members choose to not redesignate, they will be allowed to continue as is, and 

any new appointees to those seats will be SGEs.. Members discussed the challenges this could 

pose for future recruitment. 

o NOP is participating in BioFach next week in Germany, and will be holding certifier training with 

the international certification community. 

o NOP’s Compliance & Enforcement and Accreditation Divisions are busy with many compliance 

and oversight activities. 

o A member remarked on the issue of pesticide drift, specifically dicamba, which is currently 

affecting a number of organic operations. Farmers who are affected indicate that because there 

doesn’t seem to be any recourse, and because there is a lack of liability, they aren’t reporting it. 

Also, previous attempts at litigation have not been successful. The group wondered if there is a 

way to address this in the upcoming farm bill. 

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall meeting logistics/Travel (October 18, 20, 25-27). Planning for an in-person meeting in 

Sacramento, but COVID levels in CA are rising, and we will keep an eye on those as the meeting 

nears. 

o The Spring 2023 meeting is scheduled for Atlanta, GA April 25 -27, 2023. 
• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) (RG). The Crops Subcommittee voted on three sunsets today. Making good progress 

going into fall meeting. Coppers are under review and might garner interest in the community. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). Handling added another call to complete five agenda items: two sunset

reviews and three proposals. The Chair posed a question for the Executive Team regarding the 

phosphoric acid annotation change. At the Spring meeting a commenter suggested a wording 

change from “cleaner” to “sanitizer”, and wondered if that would be better done as a separate 

work agenda item, or if the HS could suggest a technical correction as part of the phosphoric 

acid proposal. KS will follow up with email. The distinction is that cleaners are rinsed, and 

sanitizers are not. The NOP added that there is similar wording in the Livestock and Handling 

listing, and it might be better to address it as a separate work agenda item. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (LP). MS has three ongoing projects: Distilled tall oil is on 

hold until there is some resolution for how to move ahead with reviews of inerts; Research 

Priorities proposal is in progress; and Excluded Methods. The MS will not have a document on 

Excluded Methods for the Fall, as it is waiting for the NOP response to its Spring 2022 

recommendations. The MS is also working on updating the TR templates to remove some 

redundancy, add questions about Excluded Methods, and align the TR template with the 

petition template. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS will meeting on August 9 to talk more about the 

meeting timing. The PDS Chair extended an invitation for anyone who wants to listen. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The Livestock Subcommittee has a light agenda this semester. The LS has 

completed all sunset reviews for the Fall meeting, and will cancel the next meeting. On the last 

call the LS discussed making future changes to its research priorities list to remove some 

redundancy. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS completed one proposal 

(NOSB tech support) on its last call, and have several other projects in progress for the Fall 

meeting. The Risk Mitigation Table proposal is moving ahead. The proposal addressing acreage

on certificates is in progress. Climate-smart Ag discussion document is underway, and the lead is 

seeking feedback from other NOSB members by the end July. The CACS may work on the 

second part of the fraud project having to do with bills-of-lading, but is unsure what it will look 

like for Fall meeting. 

• Additional Items. 

o Streamlining work. Members discussed ways to streamline sunset reviews so they can work on 

other work agenda items. Some ideas included collaboration/co-leads on reviews, and revisiting 

the idea of using a consent calendar for voting, which was previously proposed and voted down 

by the full NOSB. 

o A member mentioned the steep learning curve for new members, noting that it can take about 2 

years to really get into the rhythm of the role. 

o A member suggested having a separate subcommittee that only does sunset reviews. 

o A member suggested prioritizing sunsets that need more attention. 

o The CACS’s proposal for NOSB tech support would alleviate the sunset load. 

o A member noted that there is a delicate balance between getting assistance with the workload 

and transparency. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

June 21, 2022
July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 23, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair;

Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Javier Zamora (JZ) - observer

Absent: Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); David Glasgow (DG); Erin Healy (EH)

Agenda

• Approve May 17, 2022 notes (attached)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting structure update

o Reminder: Submit draft documents to Subcommittee members early enough for review

o Fall meeting prep - 48 items at Fall meeting. Schedule time for reading.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking update (SOE, OLPS, ANPR on Inerts, Marketing Rule, etc.)

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall timeline, proposal submissions

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

 Meeting timing update

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• May 17, 2022 notes were approved as written

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Fall meeting structure update. The Executive team discussed the structure of the Fall meeting. 

Currently the plan is to meet in-person for the first time in several years, and the NOP is going to

live-stream the meeting, which will open viewing access to those who can’t or don’t want to 

travel. 

o Reminder: The Chair reminded folks to share Subcommittee documents early enough to allow 

other Subcommittee members adequate time to review and provide feedback. The NOSB Vice 

Chair also encouraged thorough, rigorous debates in Subcommittee to produce the best 

possible product before it goes to the full Board. 

o Fall meeting prep. There are approximately 48 items on the Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda.

The Chair encouraged members to schedule adequate time for reading.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking update 
o Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Final Rule. Cleared by Office of General Counsel (OGC) 

and is in USDA clearance. The organic industry is interested in this rule, and can request 

meetings with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) once the rule is transmitted to 

them. NOP cannot share contents of the rule before publication – that is why there is typically a 

one-year implementation period. 

o Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). NOP continues to work with OMB during its

review phase . 

o National List Rule that includes NOSB recommendations from the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021

meetings is with OGC for legal review. 

o The meeting notice announcing the NOSB Fall meeting is due to publish this week. 

o Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). In Departmental clearance. 

o Marketing Rule, which includes pet food and mushroom standards is under development. 

o Biodegradable Biobased Mulch Film (BBMF). NOP has started drafting a proposed rule based on 

an NOSB recommendation from the Fall 2021 meeting. The Crops Subcommittee is currently

considering a sunset review for BBMF and has discussed removal based on some new 

information in public comments received at the Spring meeting. If the Crops Subcommittee 

votes to remove BBMF at sunset, it would have implications for any possible rulemaking. The CS

will meet again on July 5 to discuss. 

o Two of the NOP Divisions, the Compliance & Enforcement and the Accreditation team have 

grown significantly over the last year and are meeting in DC this week. 

o NOP has begun projects focused on import certificates technology.

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall timeline. See table below

o Proposal submissions. Fall 2022 proposals are due to NOP August 11. The NOP asked that 

members submit proposals as they complete them rather than wait until the deadline. 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS is working on several

projects for the Fall meeting: 

 Risk management table - focusing on the items that are in-scope. 

 Climate change framework based on the memo from NOP

 Modernization of organic traceability. The CACS is decoupling the two parts of the 

document so they can work on them separately. 1. Acreage/mass balance of yields and 

2. Bills-of-lading . NOP mentioned a talk the Secretary of Ag gave earlier this month 

about the organic transitions program and thinks it will assist with several aspects of this 

project, such as Organic System Plans (OSPs). A member added that the FDA has a 

program that uses something similar to the OSP and it might be helpful to engage them 

to see if it’s something that could be helpful. 

 Human Capital Management: NOSB Technical Support. In progress.

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops reviewed and voted on 3 sunsets today. The Subcommittee has 15 sunset 

reviews and 3 proposals, and is currently waiting for a couple of TRs.

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS discussed the phosphoric acid petition/proposal, several sunset

reviews, and the research priorities. The HS will also continue work on the ion exchange 

proposal. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The MS has 3 ongoing projects. The review of distilled 

tall oil will be put on hold as the NOP is working on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking 

(ANPR) on inerts which is relevant to for reviewing inerts. Research Priorities (RPs) will move 

ahead for the Fall meeting, and the MS will look at how best to disseminate them better for the 

next iteration. The Subcommittee will not put forth a document for Excluded Methods for the 

Fall meeting. 
o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

 Meeting timing update. The NOP polled the NOSB members twice about the timing of 

the Board meetings, and the majority chose to continue holding meetings in 

April/October. The PDS will provide a verbal update at the Fall meeting. Access, equality, 

participation, and transparency are paramount, and the PDS and NOSB wants the 

community to know they heard their concerns. 

 The NOSB would like to pursue a transitional format for the Fall meeting as we move out 

of the pandemic to in-person meetings. This includes live-streaming the meeting, and 

holding all public comment during the webinars the week prior to the meeting.

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The LS has 6 sunset substances and is finalizing the research priorities for the 

Fall meeting. 

• Additional Items. Members discussed add-on labels/terms to organic such as regenerative and 

sustainable.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 23, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, May 17, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair;

Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); David Glasgow (DG); Erin Healy (EH)

Agenda

• Approve April 18, 2022 notes (Attached)

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o NOSB Spring meeting recap

o Writing conventions (Subcomm vs NOSB)

o Final recommendations due May 20

o NOSB paths forward

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking update (SOE, OLPS, ANPR on Inerts)

o Ammonia Extract

o NOP Listening Session Priorities

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall timeline

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• April 18, 2022 notes were accepted as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o NOSB Spring meeting recap. The Chair expressed appreciation to everyone for their hard work 

and contribution, noting that the group was cohesive, respectful, and professional. The meeting 

went well and the NOSB had great discussions. 

o The Chair mentioned the need for outreach to distinguish between what is actionable at the 

Board/NOP/Congressional levels, and perhaps provide some guidance to stakeholders about the 

most effective way to engage with Congress. 

o Writing conventions (Subcomm vs. NOSB). The NOSB Chair asked that members be cognizant of 

attributions with regard to what comes from the NOSB vs the Subcommittee. 

o Sunset review and sharing of drafts. The Chair asked that members please send draft documents 

ahead of time, so folks have plenty of time to read them before Subcommittee calls. 
o Members discussed best practices for summarizing stakeholder feedback, and shared ideas for 

being more precise about stakeholder groups when summarizing comments. Members also 

mentioned the importance of capturing the Board discussion in the final recommendation 

coversheet, so all views are articulated, especially when there is a split vote. 

o Final recommendations due May 20.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking update

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) - Under legal review.

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) - Under OMB review.

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) - In departmental (USDA) 

clearance.

 Market development proposed rule - in development (mushrooms and pet food). 

 National List proposed rule on NOSB recommendations (Biodegradable Biobased Mulch 

Film, (BBMF), Sodium Nitrate, Ammonia Extract, and 20% soluble nitrogen) in 

development. NOP bundled several recommendations from the Fall 2021 and Spring 

2022 meetings into one rulemaking, since they are related or similar, but each 

component will be considered independently.

 Final rule for paper pots and low-acyl gellan gum in development.

 The NOP communicates to the industry via NOSB meetings, Executive Committee notes, 

the Regulatory Agenda, memos to the Board, and the NOSB recommendation library.

o NOP Listening Session Priorities. The NOP asked the NOSB if it wanted to work on the Native 

Ecosystems topic again, noting that it received strong support from the community, but there 

continue to be challenges about its alignment with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA).

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Fall timeline (see table below).

o Notice for Fall 2022 NOSB meeting. In clearance and should publish in the next few weeks. The 

groups briefly discussed the pros and cons of having oral public comment at the meeting itself –

this was a topic explored in a discussion document last Fall. Variables include contingency 

planning due to changes related to Covid, and fairness in access/equity. The group will continue 

to discuss. 

o Notice announcing call for nominations for NOSB seat starting January 2023. In clearance and 

should publish soon. 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The Chair noted that the Spring meeting went well. Livestock will have six 

sunset reviews up for votes this Fall. None seem controversial. The LS met today and scheduled 

discussion dates for its sunset reviews, and will work on the research priorities in conjunction 

with the Materials Subcommittee.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS met last week and reviewed 

the feedback and outcomes of the Spring NOSB meeting, and discussed the current work 

agenda. There are four projects slated for the Fall NOSB meeting.

 Discussion document for NOSB technical support - garnered support from stakeholders

at the Spring meeting and the CACS is going to develop a proposal.

 Risk Mitigation Table Proposal - sent back to the CACS and they may revisit the project 

for the Fall meeting.

 Climate Smart Agriculture framework - discussion document planned for Fall NOSB 

meeting.

 Oversight to deter fraud - The CACS will decouple topics into two separate projects: one 

for acreage/mass balance of yields and one for bills-of-lading. Certifiers indicated that 
~half of non-compliances are for records compliance and sometimes this leads 

operations to look for a new certifier. The CACS is assessing both of these issues, and 

will reach out to stakeholders for deeper insight and feedback as they develop the 

documents. 

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops voted on three sunset substances during today’s call, which will now be 

sent to the full NOSB for the Fall meeting. The group discussed ongoing issues with 

Biodegradable Biobased Mulch Film (BBMF) and use of plastic. The NOSB Chair is interested in 

working with Crops to do some outreach about BBMF issues to assist with controversial aspects, 

such as phthalates. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS is working on completing its Spring recommendations, and has also 

blocked out its summer schedule, in preparation for the Fall NOSB meeting. On its call today, the 

HS discussed ion exchange, and how to decouple recharge materials from resins. The 

Subcommittee will move forward with a proposal for recharge materials, which are in use 

already, and will continue to discuss resins. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The Materials Subcommittee is working on several 

items for the Fall meeting including research priorities and excluded methods. The MS discussed 

the NIFA presentation they heard at the Spring meeting, and will reassess the format and 

distribution of the research priorities proposal so it is more impactful for the research 

community. The MS also continued to discuss inerts, and specifically the petition for distilled tall 

oil (DTO). Currently there is not a process in place for reviewing inerts and the NOP is working 

on an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit ideas about how to proceed. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS met last week to discuss outcomes from the Spring 

meeting and to discuss projects for the Fall meeting. In June the PDS will discuss the timing of 

NOSB meetings, and possible alternatives to the April/October schedule. Other NOSB members 

are welcome to join to listen to the discussion.

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

March 15, 2022

April 18, 2022 - Monday

May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda
Milestones

Fall 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~May 20, 2022

NOP - Draft Fall 2022 NOSB meeting agenda Aug 5, 2022

NOSB - Fall 2022 proposals due to NOP Aug 11, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Aug 31, 2022

Public comment closes Sep 29, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 3, 2022

Public comment webinars Oct 18 & 20, 2022

Fall 2022 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 25 - 27, 2022

Final recommendations due Nov 25, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Monday, April 18, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair;

Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair;

Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Javier Zamora 

(JZ) - observer; Dilip Nandwani (DN) - observer; Logan Petrey (LP) - observer

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve March 15, 2022 notes

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o NOSB April meeting/Notes for new members

o Excluded methods proposal

o Origin of Livestock (OOL) final rule

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Listening session follow up

o Rulemaking update

o NOP OOL webinar April 20, 2022

o NOP update videos

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update (MA)

o Spring meeting logistics (comment webinars and NOSB meeting)

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

 Excluded methods proposal

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• March 15, 2022 notes were accepted as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o NOSB April meeting/Notes for new members. The Chair is hoping to set the stage for a 

successful meeting and have the new members feel comfortable at their first NOSB meeting. 

o The NOSB Chair is interested in highlighting the “wins” from this last year, and asked members 

to share any successes or outcomes. 

o Members discussed questions for the NOP update. Topics for which they would like an update 

include inerts, international supply chain issues with grain, temporary variances, use of the 

organic seal in restaurants, and packaging. 
o Excluded methods proposal. Public commenters support the proposal but asked for a 

terminology change. The Materials Subcommittee asked the NOP to assess whether the change 

would be substantive and if the proposal would then have to be sent back to Subcommittee. 

NOP will let the NOSB know before the meeting. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking Update

 Origin of Livestock (OOL) - The final rule was published, and the NOP is holding a 

webinar this Wednesday, April 20, to summarize the rule, and discuss next steps for

implementation. 

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) - Under legal review. 

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) - NOP responded to feedback from the 

Office of Management and Budget and sent it back for further review. 

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) - Under legal review. 

 NOP Priorities Listening session. Regulatory priorities webinar was held March 21. NOP 

is currently reviewing comments and will provide an update at the NOSB meeting. 

Initially the highlights including seeds, containers, and native ecosystems. A member 

had a follow up question about international use of organic seed. 

 Proposed Rule that includes paper pots, low-acyl gellan gum, and proposes the 

correction to the spelling of “wood resin” was published, and the comment period 

closed April 4, 2022. NOP is reviewing comments. 

 NOP is discussing the ammonia extracts recommendation, and hopes to have an update 

to share soon. 

 National Organic Program Update: recorded presentations are available in the Organic 

Integrity Learning Center (OILC)

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update - MA

o Spring meeting logistics reminder. Comment webinars are this week, and the meeting 

commences next week. NOP will log in early each day next week, so members can join early to 

test mics and cameras. 

o NOP will draft the coversheets for the final NOSB recommendations and send them soon. 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS has reviewed public comments and is ready for 

discussion at the Spring meeting. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The LS has six sunsets for the Spring meeting. The Subcommittee met 

recently to talk about research priorities around livestock feed, including oils which can be used 

in both food and feed. The NOSB Chair thanked the LS for suggesting this topic, which has been

a topic of conversation at several recent industry meetings. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS has been impressed with 

stakeholder feedback on their documents, noting the wide range and thoroughness of

comments. On the last call, the CACS discussed upcoming work, and would like to incorporate 

more identity-framing issues and marketing opportunities. 

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops received many written comments on nitrogen fertilizers and ammonia. 

The majority of them were part of a letter writing campaign. Crops spent the last call scheduling 

discussion dates for its work agenda items. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS Chair summarized the trends in comments for the Spring meeting. On 

its last call, the Handling Subcommittee scheduled discussions for the upcoming semester. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The Materials Subcommittee has three projects for the 

Spring meeting: Distilled tall oil (DTO), research priorities, and excluded methods. The MS is 

anticipating an update on inerts as it touches many projects the NOSB is working on. There are 
two invited speakers: National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Organic Seed 

Alliance (OSA). The MS is seeking an update from NIFA on the status of research priorities and 

whether the current process and format is valuable. 

• Additional Items. 

o The Chair indicated interested in promoting civil discourse and respect at the meeting. A 

member added the value in coming together as a cohesive group and supporting each other. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

March 15, 2022

April 18, 2022 - Monday

May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 3, 2022

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training Mar 16 - 18, 2022

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 19 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, March 15, 2022 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Kyla Smith, NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) -

Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Amy Bruch (ADB), CACS Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock 

Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Javier Zamora (JZ) - observer; Dilip Nandwani (DN) - observer

Absent: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Erin Healy (EH); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); David Glasgow (DG)

Agenda

• Approve February 15, 2022 notes

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o NOSB April meeting (tentative agenda attached)

o New member training March 16 - 18

o April Exec call moved to Monday, April 18 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking Update

o NOP Listening session March 21

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update - MA

o Spring meeting logistics

o Comment period - open March 3 through April 1

o Spring meeting practice webinars (April 13: public comments and April 14: meeting)

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• February 15, 2022 notes 

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Grain sourcing and Ukraine invasion. Ukraine is a large supplier of corn and soy, and the current 

situation will likely affect global supply. It touches many aspects of US agriculture as well as 

organic specifically. The Chair asks that the NOSB think about possible initiatives or solutions on 

how to grow domestic supply of grains. Several other members added thoughts about the 

humanitarian crisis having worked closely in the region. 

o NOP added that two certifiers in Ukraine/Russia have indicated that they no longer have the 

administrative capacity to work in this region. While the circumstances are very different, in 

terms of supply constraints, similar concerns with respect to certification and supply are being 

raised as when NOP first announced the transition away from the India organic recognition 

arrangement. 
o A member asked about temporary variances given the current situation in Ukraine. The NOP 

shared language regarding requests for exceptions to the USDA organic regulations (temporary 

variances). Requests come from certifiers to the NOP, and it is long-standing published policy 

and practice that temporary variances may not be granted for feeding non-organic feed to 

organic livestock. The use of only organic feed for organic animals is a core expectation for 

consumers, and is essential to maintaining a fair and competitive market for organic producers. 

o A member mentioned a research priority regarding yields and acreage, and asked if it possible to 

weight or rank the priorities for NIFA and/or ARS. The NOSB is free to reframe the document to 

highlight its top priorities. 

o The NOSB is interested in engaging with the USDA regarding fertilizer and climate-smart 

agriculture. 

o NOSB April meeting. The Spring meeting is about one month away, and will be held virtually. 

o New member training will be held this week, March 16-18. NOP sent an invitation to all NOSB 

members, who are welcome to join to listen in. 

o April Executive Team call moved to Monday, April 18. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking Update

 Origin of Livestock (OOL) - NOP reviewing/addressing comments from Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB). 

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) - Under legal review/reviewing feedback from 

OGC. 

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) - NOP reviewing/addressing comments 

from OMB. 

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) - Under legal review. 

 Fall 2019 NOSB recommendations (fatty alcohols, potassium hypochlorite, and dairy 

cultures) is in USDA review. 

 Final rule amending the National List posted. Addresses 16 substances; 14 were 

removed and 2 were renewed, including oxytocin and sucrose octanoate esters. 

 Proposed Rule that includes paper pots and low-acyl gellan gum is open for comments. 

Comments due by April 4, 2022

o The NOP will provide an update on the status of rulemaking at the April NOSB meeting. 

o NOP Priorities Listening session is March 21. The NOP will hear oral public comment on March 

21, and is seeking written comments through March 30. NOP will provide a summary of 

comments at the April NOSB meeting. 

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update - MA 

o Spring meeting logistics. The NOP will soon send the proposals and instructions for identifying 

Conflicts of Interest. 

o Comment period: Open March 3 through April 1. 

o Spring meeting practice webinars: April 13: public comments and April 14: meeting

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The MS will present the Research Priorities discussion 

document at the Spring meeting, and discuss how to rank the priorities. The MS will also 

present a proposal on excluded methods and a discussion document on distilled tall oil. The 

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) was invited to provide an update at the Spring 

meeting, as was the Organic Seed Alliance. Both will be scheduled close to the materials 

Subcommittee section. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (JD). The PDS will present one proposal with updates to the Policy 

and Procedures Manual (PPM) regarding the public comment process.
o Livestock (LS) (KH). The LS completed its 2024 sunsets for the Spring meeting, and began 

considering 2025 sunsets. On the last call they assigned leads and will determine the TR needs. 

They also onboarded new members. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS added a work agenda item 

on climate smart agriculture, which came to them via a memo from the NOP. There are two 

discussion documents on the April 2022 meeting agenda: Oversight efforts to deter fraud: 

Modernization of organic traceability; and Human Capital Management: Supporting the Work of 

the NOSB. 

o Crops (CS) (RG). The CS has a busy work agenda, including 14 sunset substances for 2025. On 

today’s call they assigned leads and determined the need for TRs. For straightforward

substances they determined it is not necessary to request new TRs, but will request new TRs for 

any that are older than 10 years. Two reviews were reassigned to new members: Highly soluble 

nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). The HS met today to discuss its work agenda. The group completed the 

initial review of nineteen 2025 sunsets and determined the need for TRs for most of them. They 

will complete the list on the next call. On the next call they will schedule discussion dates for the 

Fall work agenda items, including ion exchange and a petition for peroxylactic acid (PoLA). The 

Final Rule that removed whey protein concentrate was published, and now the petition to 

remove, which is on the Handling work agenda is moot. The NOP will contact the petitioner and 

let them know. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

March 15, 2022

April 18, 2022 - Monday

May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones 

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 3, 2022

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training Mar 16 - 18, 2022

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022
NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 19 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair; Kyla Smith,

NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Amy Bruch 

(ADB), CACS Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD) - observer; Dilip Nandwani (DN) -

observer; Javier Zamora (JZ) - observer 

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Erin Healy (EH); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• Approve January 18, 2022 notes

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Welcome new members

o Proposal submission deadline (Feb 16)

o Spring 2022 meeting

o Potential questions for the NOP Q & A at the NOSB meeting

o Open docket - Not available for posting of draft documents or for submission of comments. Has 

hindered NOSB work this past semester.

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking Update

o NOP Listening session March 21. Are NOSB members allowed to comment?

• Advisory Committee Specialist (ACS) update - MA

o Subcommittee proposal status

o Spring meeting logistics

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• January 18, 2022 notes were approved as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o New members. The Chair welcomed the new NOSB members who joined the call today, and 

they each introduced themselves. They will join Subcommittee calls soon.

o Proposals for the Spring meeting are due tomorrow, February 16. Many are already submitted. 

o Spring 2022 meeting. The Board decided to move to a virtual platform for the Spring meeting. 

o Q & A at the NOSB meeting. The NOSB would like to pose some questions to the NOP at the 

NOSB meeting, as per the usual process, and will discuss questions at a future time.

o Open docket. The NOSB emphasized the need and usefulness of opening the docket early so the 

Board can post draft documents on which they are seeking early public feedback. 

o
• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Rulemaking Update. The NOP summarized the rulemaking flowchart for the benefit of the new 

members, and provided an update on the following rules:

 Origin of Livestock (OOL) - NOP reviewing/addressing comments from Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB);

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) - Under legal review;

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS) - NOP reviewing/addressing comments 

from OMB; 

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) - Under legal review;

 2022 sunsets rule is in USDA review; 

 Fall 2019 NOSB recommendations (fatty alcohols, potassium hypochlorite, and dairy 

cultures) is in USDA review.

o NOP Listening session March 21. Written comments are critical, and the NOP is encouraging 

stakeholders to submit via the comment docket, as this will aid in a thorough analysis of the 

priorities. NOP encouraged the NOSB members to share the announcement with stakeholders. 

o A member asked about combining multiple recommendations into one rule. NOP sometimes 

does this, for example, the sunset renewals from both Spring and Fall 2021 were combined. 

o NOP is currently working on a draft rule for the Fall 2022 NOSB recommendations, not including 

ammonia extracts. 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Subcommittee proposal status. The NOP thanked the NOSB for submitting the documents for 

the Spring meeting on time and in some cases, early. 

o Spring meeting logistics. The NOP will finalize the proposals and discussion documents, and 

complete the draft meeting agenda with the intention of posting everything by March 3, 2022. 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Handling (HS) (KS). The Subcommittee completed its Spring proposals today, and will be 

discussing the TR requests for the next round of sunset reviews (2025). 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT). The Subcommittee completed its 3 proposals for the 

Spring 2022 meeting: Excluded methods, distilled tall oil, and research priorities. The MS Chair 

asked about inviting two guest speakers to provide updates at the NOSB meeting; One from the 

National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and one from the Organic Seed Alliance (OSA). 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). The PDS has one document for the Spring meeting; a proposal 

with an update to the Policy & Procedures Manual (PPM) regarding written public comment.

o Livestock (LS) (KH). The LS cancelled today’s call since they have completed all of the Spring 

reviews. The LS will start looking at 2025 sunset documents at the first meeting in March. 

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). The CACS held a couple of extra calls

to complete projects for the Spring NOSB meeting. The members discussed a potential work 

agenda item about the history of the NOSB and the sunset process, and if they decide to work 

on this it would need to go through the formal process to get added to work agenda first. The 

NOP is finalizing the memo to the Board regarding the climate change project, and is scoping 

another project on equity.

o Crops (CS) (RG). The Crops Subcommittee has 15 sunsets and two proposals for the Spring 

meeting. The CS will discuss the 2025 sunset TR requests next month.

• Additional Items. 

o The NOSB Chair noted that the pacing of the workload during the time of transition from 

previous members to new members can be disruptive to continuity. The NOSB Vice Chair

encouraged people to slow down and not try to rush projects if the timing is off. 

o RG offered to help prepare members for the Fall meeting, given that he is now the only board 

member that has attended an in-person meeting. 
o The draft Spring meeting agenda will include time for USDA leadership, NIFA, and OSA. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted) 

January 18, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

April 18, 2022 - Monday

May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training March 16 - 18, 2022

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 19 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the 

National List. They do not represent official National Organic Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Proposals 

must be voted on by the full Board, to become recommendations to the USDA. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, 

regulations, and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

 

Executive Committee (EC) Meeting Notes and

Summary of National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Subcommittee Activities

Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 4:00 pm ET

Present: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), NOSB Chair; Mindee Jeffery (MJ), NOSB Vice Chair & PDS Chair; Kyla Smith,

NOSB Secretary & HS Chair; Rick Greenwood (RG) - Crops Chair; Wood Turner (WT), Materials Chair; Amy Bruch 

(ADB), CACS Chair; Kim Huseman (KH), Livestock Chair; Steve Ela (SE) - observer; Jerry D’Amore (JD)

Absent: None

Staff: Jennifer Tucker (JT); Dave Glasgow (DG); Erin Healy (EH); Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC)

Agenda

• December 21, 2021 notes

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Farewell to outgoing members (Steve, Asa, Sue)

o Research Priorities update at Spring 2022 NOSB meeting (NIFA?)

o Subcommittee progress on Spring agenda items

o Identifying actionable work agenda items (SC Chairs --> Program)

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Update on NOP actions regarding seed guidance (NOP 5029)

o Organic Seed Alliance request to update the NOSB on the third State of Organic Seed report

o Federal Register updates, Rules, and Notices: 

 Origin of Livestock (OOL)

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS)

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR)

 Spring 2022 NOSB Meeting Federal Register Notice (FRN) 

o NOSB nominations update

o Spring 2022 NOSB meeting update

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Sunset list/templates for 2025 sunsets

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) (RG)

o Handling (HS) (KS)

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

 Distilled tall oil in light of inerts review

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ)

o Livestock (LS) (KH)

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB)

• Additional Items

• Adjourn

Discussion

• December 21, 2021 notes were approved as written.

• Chairs Report (NPP)

o Farewell to outgoing members (Steve, Asa, Sue). The Chair thanked the outgoing members for 

their service.
o Research Priorities update at Spring 2022 NOSB meeting. The NOSB is interested in learning 

about the status of past research priorities and getting more clarity about which items are 

moving forward and which ones might not be. The group discussed inviting NIFA to the Spring 

2022 meeting to provide a detailed update. 

o Subcommittee progress on Spring agenda items. Each of the Subcommittees is making good 

progress on agenda items, and should have a total of about 45 agenda items.

o Identifying actionable work agenda items (SC Chairs --> Program). The NOSB is interested in 

collaborating more with the program as they (the NOSB) are developing proposals to make sure 

recommendations are actionable. The Chair asked for open dialogue between the NOP and 

NOSB to identify possible barriers to implementation. They are looking to improve the success 

rate and to respect the Board members and community’s time. The group discussed challenges 

and the NOP expressed its commitment to continue engaging in open, direct, transparent

conversations. 

• NOP news and update (JT/EH)

o Response to question from Board on NOP actions regarding seed guidance (NOP 5029). The 

NOP has no plans for more updates to the guidance at this time. The program recently published 

training to help certifiers and producers better understand the regulatory requirements that 

already exist in this area. 

o The Organic Seed Alliance offered to update the NOSB on the third State of Organic Seed report. 

NOP and NOSB Officers will determine if there is time on the Spring agenda for an update. Both

NOP and the NOSB feel it is valuable to get the information out to certifiers and the community. 

o Federal Register updates, Rules, and Notices: 

 Fall 2019 NOSB recommendations (fatty alcohols, potassium hypochlorite, and dairy 

cultures) final rule is in clearance

 A proposed rule with the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 NOSB recommendations including 

paper pots and low-acyl gellan gum, is in clearance and are under review by the Office 

of Budget and Program Analysis (OBPA).

 Origin of Livestock (OOL) Final Rule is under review by the Office of Management and 

Budget (OMB).

 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). Under review by the Office of General 

Counsel (OGC).

 Organic Livestock and Poultry Standards (OLPS). Proposed Rule under review at OMB

 Inerts Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR). Currently under revision in NOP 

based on feedback from OGC and the EPA. It will be returned to OGC after edits are 

completed. 

 Spring 2022 NOSB Meeting Federal Register Notice (FRN). Sent to OGC in the Fall, and is 

under review.

o New member training. The NOP is updating the training slides to add tools to help with writing 

recommendations. The training is tentatively scheduled for early March.

o NOSB nominations update. The nomination package is in the final stages of clearance and NOP 

hopes to be able to announce the new appointments soon. There will be a gap between the 

current members terms ending and the new members terms beginning. 

o Spring 2022 NOSB meeting update. The notice announcing the Spring 2022 meeting is in 

clearance at OGC. The Department is monitoring a number of other meetings to gauge whether 

or not they are being held in person or virtually, and will also look to NOSB members to 

determine comfort levels about traveling. The hotel reservation cutoff date is April 4, which 

would be the latest possible time to decide.
o Support for the NOSB (CACS work agenda item on capital management). The NOP drafted a 

description of what a technical support team could do based on Board discussions to date. 

Given questions about whether there are any external organizations that could objectively 

provide and administratively support this service, there has been some useful discussion about 

whether there should be a call for applications, or whether the support should come from an 

independent team in USDA such as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The 

CACS will add questions to the document to solicit feedback from stakeholders. 

• Advisory Board Specialist (ABS) update - MA

o Sunset list and templates for 2025 sunsets. The NOP is finalizing the new lists and templates and 

will send them to the Subcommittees soon. 

• Subcommittee Reports/Updates (5 minutes each)

o Crops (CS) (RG). Crops met today and completed several proposals and sunset reviews for the 

Spring meeting. The CS has just a couple more sunset reviews to complete for the Spring NOSB 

meeting. 

o Handling (HS) (KS). Handling has completed most of its work for the Spring meeting and has a 

couple more calls before the deadline. Today the HS discussed two petitioned materials and has

one more in the queue. 

o Materials/GMO ad hoc (MS/GMO) (WT)

 Distilled tall oil in light of inerts review. The Chair summarized the lingering issues with 

reviewing substances without clarity about inerts. NOP is working in parallel on inerts, 

and the Board is interested in NOP’s input about how best to move forward at this time. 

 Research Priorities (RPs). The SM Chair echoed the NOSB Chairs comments about the 

RPs and would like to hear an update on the status; i.e., which ones are being worked 

on, which ones are completed, etc. 

o Policy Development (PDS) (MJ). PDS members are working on exit interviews with the three 

outgoing members. Additionally, the PDS is working on a minor edit to the PPM to align the 

guidance from oral and written comments. 

o Livestock (LS) (KH). Livestock met today and discussed research priorities. The LS sought to 

improve the current list by rescoping a priority that was too broad, and by refining others. The 

LS has only one sunset review to complete for the Spring meeting.

o Compliance, Accreditation, & Certification (CACS) (ADB). CACS added an extra call in late January 

to complete their agenda items for the Spring meeting. The CACS should have three documents 

ready for the Spring meeting: Supply Chain Verification, NOSB technical support, and review of 

the NOPs risk management table. The CACS also requested an addition to its work agenda to 

build upon the climate change letter. NOP indicated that they have drafted a framing document 

to aid them in this endeavor and will send it to the CACS soon. 

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous ES Notes

Future call schedule (3rd Tuesday 4:00 PM ET | 1:00 PM PT, except where noted)

December 21, 2021

January 18, 2022

February 15, 2022 - Last call before proposal deadline

March 1, 2022

March 15, 2022

April 19, 2022
May 17, 2022

June 21, 2022

July 19, 2022

August 16, 2022

September 20, 2022

October 18, 2022

November 15, 2022

December 20, 2022

NOSB Work Agenda

Milestones 

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~Nov 12, 2021

NOSB - Spring 2022 proposals due to NOP Feb 16, 2022

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2022 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2022

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 4, 2022

Public comment webinars Apr 19 & 21, 2022

Spring 2022 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 26 - 28, 2022

Final recommendations due May 27, 2022