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

List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic 

Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Jesse Buie (JB); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD); Rick Greenwood (RG), Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Jared Clark (JC); Devon Pattillo (DP)

Agenda

• Review November 10 Notes

• Public comments

• New member training

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• November 10 Notes were accepted as written

• Public comments. 

o Members discussed the process for comments that are submitted after the deadline. 

Comments are accepted after the comment period closes, but commenters are alerted to 

the fact that the Board may not have time to consider the comments before it votes. 

o The group discussed the schedule for oral comments and the discrepancies between 

individual commenters and groups/organizations. As interest in organic grows, managing 

the comment process has become more important. Members discussed developing a 

discussion document for the Spring meeting. MJ will review the PPM and outline for the 

Executive Committee why this may be important. The PDS is seeking approval from the 

Exec Committee and NOP to work on this. 

o In addition to discussing the process for written and oral comments the group also 

discussed an interest in advocating for greater access to the meetings via webcasting. 

• New member training. NOP will work on content and hands on activities. Several NOSB members 

have discussed order and process. A member offered some ideas for areas that need more 

emphasis. 

• Additional Items. The NOP discussed history of the PDS and its review of the PPM and Member 

guide.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 ET/12:00 PT)

November 10, 2020

Public comment scheduling - discuss

December 8, 2020

January 12, 2021

February 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021
June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2020

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic 

Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, November 10, 2020 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR); Jesse Buie (JB)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Consent Calendar 

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Consent Calendar (All). Since comments were few, and mixed, and it is unclear if a change to the 

voting process would improve efficiency, the PDS decided to not pursue this project.

• Additional Items. 

o Organization of public comment at each meeting. Members discussed the submission of 

written comments after the submission deadline, and the scheduling of oral commenters. 

NOP will send example of current guidance for discussion on the next call. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 ET/12:00 PT).

October 13, 2020 - cancelled

November 10, 2020

Public comment scheduling - discuss

December 8, 2020

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Consent Calendar RG

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA
Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2020

NOSB - Spring 2021 proposals due to NOP Feb 18, 2021

New NOSB member training TBD

NOP - Draft Spring 2021 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 2, 2021

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 6, 2021

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic 

Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, July 14, 2020 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR); Jesse Buie (JB)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review June 9 notes

• Discuss concept of a consent calendar

• Discuss outreach efforts to increase diversity on NOSB

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• June 9 notes were accepted as written.

• Consent calendar. Members discussed putting forth a discussion document at the Fall meeting on

using a consent calendar to vote on a group of items instead of voting on each substance 

individually. The practice is used in county and state government, and would bundle noncontroversial items that have unanimous consent. Members would be allowed to remove any 

item from the list for individual vote. The PDS would like to hear input from stakeholders about 

this during public comment. 

Motion to accept the discussion document on a consent calendar

Motion by: RG

Seconded by: JB

Yes: 4 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recuse: 0

The lead will complete the document and submit it to NOP. 

• Outreach efforts to increase diversity on NOSB. Members discussed various ways in which to 

reach out to communities that may not typically participate in NOSB nominations. Ideas included: 

o The addition of language to the webpage and the nominations flyer to call the NOP to 

chat about how the NOSB works, benefits, time commitment etc.

o NOSB “Coffee hour/chat” where folks can interact with NOSB members to ask questions 

about the Board 

o NOSB videos posted on the NOP website - similar to the videos the NOP staff made for 

the update at the Spring 2020 NOSB meeting. 

• Additional Items. The PDS may cancel its August call. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 ET/12:00 PT)

June 9, 2020
July 14, 2020

Consent calendar - Discuss draft document.

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Consent Calendar RG 07.14.20

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 06.09.20 TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA

Fall 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 21, 2020

NOSB Request for TRs for 2023 sunset materials Jul 23, 2020

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 1, 2020

NOSB - Fall 2020 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2020

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 2, 2020

Public comment closes Oct 1, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 9, 2020

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 15, 2020

Public comment webinars Oct 20 & 22, 2020

Fall 2020 NOSB meeting - Cedar Rapids, IA Oct 27-29, 2020
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic 

Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, June 9, 2020 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR); Jesse Buie (JB)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• May 12 notes

• Work agenda suggestions

• Discuss concept of a consent calendar

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• May 12 notes were accepted as written.

• Work agenda suggestions

o Consent calendar. Members discussed various aspects of using a consent calendar, which 

would group items for voting. The lead circulated a link explaining the process that is used 

by many county and local governments, and the group discussed the pros and cons in 

relation to the NOSB procedures. The main goal would be to save time. There was mixed 

support. The PDS will write a brief discussion document to solicit feedback from the 

community about this idea. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 ET/12:00 PT)

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

Consent calendar - Discuss draft document.

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 06.09.20

07.14.20

TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA
Fall 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 21, 2020

NOSB Request for TRs for 2023 sunset materials Jul 23, 2020

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 1, 2020

NOSB - Fall 2020 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2020

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 2, 2020

Public comment closes Oct 1, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 9, 2020

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 15, 2020

Public comment webinars Oct 20 & 22, 2020

Fall 2020 NOSB meeting - Cedar Rapids, IA Oct 27-29, 2020
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

List. Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic 

Program (NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of 

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, May 12, 2020 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR) 

Absent: Jesse Buie (JB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Work agenda suggestions

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Work agenda suggestions. The PDS Chair suggested the Subcommittee may want to explore the 

possibility of using a consent calendar for sunset votes. He noted that many county and state 

governments use this approach and will supply some sample language to the members. A consent 

calendar would include a comprehensive list of sunset materials, and members would have the ability 

to pull items from the list for individual discussion and vote, and the remainder would be voted on as 

a group. Members discussed the pros and cons and will discuss this again on the next call. 

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 ET/12:00 PT)

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA
Fall 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment May 21, 2020

NOSB Request for TRs for 2023 sunset materials Jul 23, 2020

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Aug 1, 2020

NOSB - Fall 2020 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2020

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 2, 2020

Public comment closes Oct 2, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 9, 2020

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 15, 2020

Public comment webinars Oct 20 & 22, 2020

Fall 2020 NOSB meeting - Cedar Rapids, IA Oct 27-29, 2020
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National List. 

Proposals must be voted on by the NOSB, to become recommendations to the USDA. They do not represent official National Organic Program 

(NOP) policy/regulations or NOSB recommendations. Please see the NOP website for official NOP policy, regulations, and status of substances used 

in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, January 14, 2020 1:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Rick Greenwood (RG), Chair; Harriet Behar (HB); Steve Ela (SE); Scott Rice (SR); Ashley Swaffar (AS) 

Absent: Tom Chapman (TC), Vice Chair; Jesse Buie (JB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review December 10 notes

• Review member guide updates

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• December 10 notes were approved as written

• Review member guide updates. The Subcommittee reviewed the draft new member guide and made 

modifications based on suggestions by members. MA will finalize the document and resend it to the PDS 

members.

• Additional Items. The PDS canceled the next meeting.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 1:00 ET/10:00 PT)

December 10, 2019

January 14, 2020

February 11, 2020 - cancelled

March 10, 2020

April 14, 2020

May 12, 2020

June 9, 2020

July 14, 2020

August 11, 2020

September 8, 2020

October 13, 2020

November 10, 2020

December 8, 2020

Work agenda 
Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM) 

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed TBD

Update to member guide MA/TC Update as needed 9.10.19

10.08.19

11.12.19

12.10.19

1.14.20

NA

Spring 2020 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Nov 15, 2019

NOSB - Spring 2020 proposals due to NOP Feb 20, 2020

New NOSB member training Feb 25 - 26, 2020

NOP - Draft Spring 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Mar 2, 2020

NOP - Post proposals Mar 5, 2020

Public comment closes Apr 3, 2020

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 7, 2020

Public comment webinars Apr 21 & 23, 2020

Spring 2020 NOSB meeting – Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - May 1, 2020