Updated June 17, 2010 

Formal Recommendation by the 

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) 

to the National Organic Program (NOP)

 

Date: October 28, 2010 

Subject: NOSB New Member Guide Update Recommendation 

Chair: Daniel G. Giacomini 

 

 

The NOSB hereby recommends to the NOP the following: 

Rulemaking Action 

Guidance Statement 

Other X 

 

Statement of the Recommendation (Including Recount of Vote): 

 

The updates to the NOSB New Member Guide are intended to facilitate the 

acclimation of new Board members to their unique role in the organic 

community in a variety of ways. Among those are to provide a more 

streamlined view of organic regulatory framework, to describe processes 

related to being an NOSB member, to identify useful technical resources, to 

improve the aesthetics and navigation of the New Member Guide, to reflect 

changes in the NOSB Policy & Procedures Manual, to suggest best practices 

for efficiency and organization, and to update committee rosters and NOP staff 

listings. The NOSB voted to recommend the updates be adopted. 

 

Rationale Supporting Recommendation (including consistency with 

OFPA and NOP): 

 

 Given the steep learning curve associated with becoming a member of the 

National Organic Standards Board, any improvements that can be made to the 

New Member Guide will be welcomed by newly appointed members. See the 

updated New Member Guide below for further detail. 

 

Committee Vote: 

Moved: Kevin Engelbert Second: Tina Ellor

Yes: 14 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 0 Recusal: 0 
Adopted: March 29, 2007 | Updated November 30, 2007 | Updated: May 22, 2008

Updated: November 19, 2008 | Updated: May 6, 2009 | Updated: August 20, 2010

National Organic Standards Board

New Member Guide 

2 0 1 0
USDA-AMS | National Organic Program (NOP)

NOSB New Member Guide | Updated September 2, 2010

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Table of Contents

Welcome New NOSB Members------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3

Federal Organic Regulations & Entities: A Primer------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Organic Food Production Act (OFPA) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3

Federal Register Final Rule Establishes the National Organic Program -------------------------------------- 3

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) ----------------------------------------------------------------------4

National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances------------------------------------------------------------4

Technical Information------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4

NOSB Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM) ----------------------------------------------------------------------4

Additional Helpful Reading ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Selecting NOSB Committees -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Demystifying the Federal Register ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule (ANPR) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Notice of Proposed Rule (NPR)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5

Interim Final Rule (IFR)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rule (SNPR) -----------------------------------------------------------------6

Direct Final Rule (DFR)-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Final Rule: 30 days before effective date--------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Rulemaking 101-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6

Public Comment------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

NOSB’s Unique Role -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

Comment Mechanisms ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8

During Formal NOSB Meetings------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8

In Response to Federal Register Notices-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8

Incorporating Public Comments------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Separation of Powers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Confidentiality --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Best Practices to Optimize Productivity-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Staying Organized----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9

Optimizing Conference Calls and Meetings ----------------------------------------------------------------------9

Organizing Email --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Tracking Changes in Word Documents-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10

Traveling to NOSB Meetings------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

What to Pack?------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

List of Common Technical Sources Used by NOSB Members --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Accredited Certification Agencies-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Federal Agencies---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

Other Sources ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Glossary of Acronyms --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Current NOSB Members – Contact Information ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

National Organic Standards Board Committees------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

National Organic Program – Contact Information----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21
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Welcome New NOSB Members

Congratulations and welcome to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)! We look 

forward to working with you over the next five years to advance organic regulations as defined 

by the Organic Food Production Act and the USDA National Organic Program. This guide is 

intended to provide guidance and resources to new members and to ease their transition to 

the NOSB. 

Before your first NOSB meeting, you need to read and be familiar with the following materials: 

Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA)

Federal Register Final Rule

NOSB Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM)

NOP FACA Training Power Point (to be received via email)

The first three documents listed are available at http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOP in the 

Resource Center section; brief summaries are provided below. The NOP FACA Training Power 

Point will be sent to all NOSB members as reference following the annual January FACA 

training session for NOSB members.

Questions?

Count on it. You will be assigned an NOSB mentor prior to your first official meeting to help 

you transition onto the Board. Your NOSB mentor will be available to you by phone or email to 

answer your questions as they arise. The NOSB Chair or the Executive Director can also be 

reached at any point to assist you. Contact information can be found at the end of this 

document or by contacting Lisa Ahramjian at Lisa.Ahramjian@ams.usda.gov. 

Federal Organic Regulations & Entities: A Primer

Organic Food Production Act (OFPA)

Title XXI of the 1990 Farm Bill, known as the Organic Foods Production Act, established the 

National Organic Program within the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) of the USDA. It also 

established the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), an advisory body to the NOP. 

Federal Register Final Rule Establishes the National Organic Program

The December 21, 2000 final rule established the National Organic Program (NOP) within the 

Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

NOP facilitates domestic and international marketing of fresh and processed food that is 

organically produced and assures consumers that such products meet consistent, uniform 

standards. NOP is required to establish national standards for the production and handling of 

organically produced products, including a National List of substances approved for and 

prohibited from use in organic production and handling. The final rule also established a 

national-level accreditation program, labeling requirements, and foreign organic program 

equivalency requirements. 
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National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

OFPA authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to appoint a 15-member National Organic 

Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB has the sole authority granted through OFPA to 

recommend additions to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. Further, the 

NOSB drafts recommendations based on needs of the industry with public and industry input. 

The Board’s main mission is to make recommendations about whether a substance should be 

allowed or prohibited in organic production or handling, to assist in the development of 

standards for substances to be used in organic production, and to advise the Secretary on 

other aspects of OFPA implementation. Members come from all four U.S. regions.

The first NOSB was appointed by then Secretary Edward Madigan in January, 1992. Members 

of the initial board served staggered terms of 3, 4, or 5 years; all subsequent board appointees 

serve 5-year terms. Per OFPA, the board must consist of 15 members: 

- Four farmers/growers

- Two handlers/processors

- One retailer

- Three environmentalists / resource conservationists

- Three consumer/public interest advocates 

- One scientist (toxicology, ecology, or biochemistry)

- One USDA accredited certifying agent. 

National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances

Through OFPA, the NOSB has the sole authority to recommend adding materials to or 

removing materials from the National List. The Secretary of Agriculture has limited authority 

with regards to NOSB recommendation for additions to the National List; the Secretary may 

deny the listing of a material, but may not add a material that was not previously 

recommended by the board. 

Technical Information

To help NOSB members assess whether materials should be added or removed from the 

National List, the NOSB is authorized to request technical information from internal and 

external sources on materials. See The Final Rule Subpart G 205.600 and the NOSB Policy and 

Procedures Manual Section IV for additional information. 

NOSB Policy and Procedure Manual (PPM)

The PPM outlines all general procedures followed by members of the NOSB. The manual is 

designed to assist the Board in its responsibilities and is considered mandatory reading for all 

members. The PPM covers many important issues such as the NOSB Vision Statement, Duties 

of the Board and Officers, NOSB job descriptions, NOSB Principals to Production and 

Handling, Materials Review Process, TAP Contract Procedures, Sunset Review Process and 

other critical information that is important for you to understand. Policies and revisions are 

incorporated periodically, and since the manual guides you on how to craft your documents 

and recommendations, it is essential to refer to the manual and make sure you are following 

the process.
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Additional Helpful Reading

NOSB Website | www.ams.usda.gov/nosb

Access NOSB meeting transcripts, NOSB executive committee minutes, and previous 

NOSB recommendations

NOP Website | www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Access NOP Newsroom, organic regulations, and resources for various stakeholder groups

From the Margins to the Mainstream, Advancing Organic Agriculture in the United 

States: National Organic Action Plan | http://www.rafiusa.org/docs/noap.pdf

Selecting NOSB Committees

You will work with the NOSB chair to select 2-3 standing committees from the following:

Compliance, Accreditation, & 

Certification Committee

Crops Committee

Handling Committee

Livestock Committee

Materials Committee

Policy Development Committee

New members may also have the option to join a currently-existing ad-hoc committee.

Additional information on the different committees is available on page 15 of the Policy and 

Procedure Manual. Generally, it is best to select a committee in which you have experience. 

New members are also encouraged to seek guidance from the NOSB Chair or the Executive 

Director to best utilize your skills and experience. Committee chairs can update you on current 

topics under consideration and provide you with recent meeting minutes.

Demystifying the Federal Register

The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of 

Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential 

documents. The Federal Register has format and public notice rules that have to be followed. 

Public comment periods are generally for a minimum of 30 days, but since the organic 

community believes strongly in collaboration and public comment, NOP strives to allow 45

days for public comment on their notices. “If you intend to bind the public, you have to provide 

actual and timely notice.” Several types of Federal Register notices are used at different 

rulemaking stages:

Advanced Notice of Proposed Rule (ANPR)

Optional – Involves proposing an idea and formally asking for public comment before you 

draft the proposed rule. This is strictly an idea and data collecting process that discourages 

back-room idea and data collection. 

Notice of Proposed Rule (NPR)

Required – Provides background, Intent, and Objectives via the Preamble, Proposes specific 

rule language, and is Open to Public Comment.
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Interim Final Rule (IFR)

Optional – Very similar to the Final Rule – still open to some public comment, used primarily 

when issues are controversial and some tweaking of the final rule language may be required.

Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rule (SNPR)

Optional – open to public comment on an newly proposed areas that came up during NPR that 

were not foreseen, but also includes some areas that are more decided and not as open to 

comment.

Direct Final Rule (DFR)

Special Circumstances – usually not a controversial issue and requires immediate action (good 

cause criteria have to be met), risky because if one commenter objects, then they have to 

resubmit as an NPR which costs money – and allow public comment. i.e. the banning of 

dangerous toys for small children.

Final Rule: 30 days before effective date

Required – Provides Background, Intent, and Objectives via the Preamble, Proposes specific 

rule language, and is not open to Public Comment as all public commenting time periods have 

either been met through the above required and optional steps, with the exception of rules 

being modified to respond to court actions and deadlines. 

Any further changes to these regulations would be made through petition: “Petition for 

Reconsideration”, and would essentially be re-run through the Federal Register process as 

described above.

Rulemaking 101

Commonly, laws do not contain level of detail for their practical implementation. Rather, 

agencies of the Executive branch have to establish rules, or regulations, to serve as guides in 

the implementation of laws. The rule development process can be described in five steps:

1. Establish grant rulemaking authority

In NOSB’s case, per OFPA

2. Publish proposed rule with request for public comments

Rule is subject to Office of Management and Budget review 

3. Publish final rule addressing public comments; set effective date

Rule is subject to Office of Management and Budget review

4. Congressional review

Congress or the Government Accountability Office has the ability to nullify rules

5. Effective Date

Rules go into effect after a 30-day minimum; 60-day for major rules

Agencies may delay or withdraw rules before they become effective
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The diagram below provides additional details on the rulemaking process; this resource is also 

available at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/reginfo/Regmap/index.jsp.
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Public Comment

Refer to the PPM for the detailed policy & procedures on the public comment process.

NOSB’s Unique Role

Organic stakeholders are extremely engaged in the activities of both the NOP and the NOSB. 

Both groups receive an unprecedented amount of public input from farmers, businesses and 

consumers during every step of their decision-making process—from draft NOSB 

recommendation to final rule. After considering the recommendations of the NOSB, the NOP 

reviews public comments and industry analysis before proposing a final recommendation. 

However, the Secretary of Agriculture has final authority in determining all regulations.

NOSB members are in the unique position of not only representing their sector, but also 

representing the USDA and the public. It is therefore especially important for NOSB member 

to weigh public comments to help guide us towards what the public wants to see in organic 

regulations. The public comment process is in place to insure timely notice and to avoid back 

room decision-making; NOSB process must be transparent per the Sunshine Act. The 

following activities require public comment:

- Approving / removing materials for use in the organic industry

- Evaluating a specific Rule

- Providing clarifications 

Comment Mechanisms

NOP is responsible for receiving and posting all petitions and public input directed at the 

NOSB. On an informal level, NOSB members are encouraged to maintain and expand their 

contacts base in order to maintain an open line with the needs of the organic community. On a 

formal level, NOSB members request input from the public in the main ways: during formal 

NOSB meetings and electronically or via mail in response to Federal Register notices. 

During Formal NOSB Meetings

The public is invited to sign up on a first-come, first-served basis to address the Board on 

identified topics during ample public comment sessions. Commenters typically have 5-10 

minutes, not including questions from Board members (NOSB members are encouraged to 

ask questions at the end). Please remember listen, let the speaker finish, make eye contact 

as much as possible. The public deserves our respect and attentive listening; they rely on 

NOSB members to consider their comments. When commenting during meetings 

remember to be respectful, professional, patient, informed, and concise. The PPM allows 

speakers to extend their allotted time with a maximum of one proxy per speaker. The 

public is encouraged to provide written testimony to facilitate NOSB’s consideration.

In Response to Federal Register Notices

The NOP is responsible for publishing Federal Register notices, including those that 

identify the NOSB’s draft recommendations in advance of NOSB meetings. In these 

notices, the public is directed on how to submit public comments: either electronically 

(preferred) or via mail. NOP is responsible for reviewing and posting these comments for 

NOSB’s (and the public’s) review. 
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Incorporating Public Comments

The review and implementation of public input takes place at the committee level. Committee 

members are expected to review all petitions or comments from the public before providing a 

recommendation to the Chair and members of the Board. Currently, a committee member is 

assigned to review, classify and summarize all data received by NOP, but all committee 

members are expected to review the data individually before making a final recommendation. 

Separation of Powers

As a member of the NOSB, you are working within the Executive Branch of government. In 

this capacity, you are not permitted to work in the other branches while on the NOSB because 

of the required separation of powers.

Confidentiality

The information that is discussed in NOSB conference calls, through email, official meetings or 

work sessions is confidential until it is made public. It is your duty to respect and follow this 

level of trust and not share information until it is officially made public. As mentioned in the 

Policy and Procedures Manual, a Board member’s loyalty is to the organic community and the 

public at large; however the information should be accurate and agreed upon before being 

shared with the public. Conference calls are confidential and are for NOSB members and NOP 

staff only.

Best Practices to Optimize Productivity

Staying Organized

NOSB members receive a lot of materials, both electronically and in hard copy ; staying 

organized can be a challenge. Members may want to create a file cabinet specifically for the 

NOSB, with files created yearly for each committee. Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs should 

save all versions and file them, committee members can just save the final copy. Public 

comments that you receive in the meetings can be filed, or you can find them archived on the 

NOP web site.

Optimizing Conference Calls and Meetings

Because members are based in all regions of the country, a great deal of the work of the NOSB 

involves telephone conversations. Committees are encouraged to develop the agenda 

together with key committee members, provide ample notice of the date and time of the 

meeting/conference calls, review the agenda and all documents related to agenda items, start 

and finish on time, and review action items. The Executive Director will take minutes at all 

conference calls and will send out periodic updates to a master calendar of the scheduled 

committee conference calls with phone-in numbers and pass codes (required to access calls). 

Executive committee calls are scheduled the second Friday of each month and consist of only 

the NOSB officers, committee chairs, and NOP personnel. NOSB members are welcome to 

listen in, but are not permitted to vote. All Executive Committee meeting minutes are posted 

on the NOP website for public access.
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Organizing Email

To help optimize NOSB productivity, it is important to consistently 

organize and respond to emails. You are encouraged to create 

specific folders for each committee and utilize a filing system that 

works for you, keeping in mind that you don’t need to save every 

email you receive from NOP or NOSB members. 

Tips for Success:

- Check your inbox on a daily basis.

- Be concise and answer all questions in your responses within 24-48 hours.

- Do not attach unnecessary files.

- Do not overuse Reply to All.

- Try not to write with abbreviations.

Tracking Changes in Word Documents

Drafting and revising NOSB recommendations requires combining feedback from multiple 

people at multiple steps. The Microsoft Word track changes feature can help facilitate this, 

allowing you to merge all versions and view all edits at once. You are then able to accept or 

reject edits, resulting in a final version. A few tips are included below; a full demo is found in 

http://office.microsoft.com/training. 

Turning on Track Changes

After opening your document:

Word 1997-2003: 

- Go to Tools, select Track Changes.

- The review toolbar will appear at the top

“TRK” will show on the status bar (bottom of the screen)

Word 2007:

- Select the Review tab

- Click Track Changes

All edits will be shown in the document in colored font. If you find it distracting to view the 

edits, you can select to view “Final” instead of “Final Showing Markup”. If you no longer 

need to track changes, you can click on Track Changes to turn it off.

Reviewing Documents with Track Changes

To determine who proposed a given change, hold your curser over the change. The review 

toolbars allow you to approve, or reject, edits in two simple steps. First, place your cursor 

over the edited text. Second, click the button to accept the edit. This will delete the 

track change and restore your document without showing edits. To reject the change, click 

the button. This will reject the suggested edit and return your document to its original 

state. The Next and Previous buttons allow you to navigate through the document 

quickly. Using the drop down list on the and buttons, allows you to accept or reject 

all changes in the document at once.

To add a folder in Outlook:

- Click on File

- Select New and Folder

- Name folder 

(i.e. Crops or Handling)
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There are two features in TRK that help in the review process, the Reviewing and Show

toolbars. The drop-down arrow in the Reviewing toolbar, allows you to view the document 

at different stages of editing. For example, the Original Showing Markup selection displays 

all edits from all contributors highlighted in different colors. The Original selection presents 

the document prior to any edits. The Show toolbar allows you to select edits by type such as 

comments, insertions and formats. This toolbar also allows you to isolate edits by reviewer 

name. To print a list of changes made in a document, select Print (Word 1997-2003: File, 

Print; Word 2007: Microsoft Office button (top left), Print); in the Print what box, click “List 

of markup.”

Traveling to NOSB Meetings

Airline Reservations

USDA is responsible for paying all airline costs. However, members are responsible for 

arranging their own airline reservations. E-tickets are issued 3 days prior to date of travel. 

Upon approval of all documentations, your travel coordinator will provide each person with an 

approved authorization number that must be provided to USDA’s travel service: Lisa or Kim, 

Boersman Travel 888-291-6705, and identify yourself as USDA/Agricultural Marketing Service 

(AMS). The travel service is aware that they should obtain the best Federal government rate 

when possible; however, if your airline rate is over $800, please contact Katherine Benham, 

Travel Coordinator, National Organic Program (NOP), Katherine.benham@usda.gov via email 

for approval. Boersman emergency assistance is provided outside of normal business hours; 

please call 866-648-7861.

After scheduling your airline reservations with Boersman service and within one week of travel, 

you will receive an email acknowledgement from Virtually There at www.virtuallythere.com 

detailing your reservations and flight information. Reminder: When traveling to attend an 

NOSB meeting, members are not authorized to use personal credit cards to pay for airline 

tickets or utilize another travel service on behalf of USDA/AMS. You will not be reimbursed.

It is important to notify your travel coordinator that you plan to arrive or depart outside of the 

intended travel dates authorized. Also, provide notification if you plan to combine personal or 

business travel to attend the NOSB meeting.

Personal Owned Vehicles (POV)

If you need to travel using your own POV, please notify the travel coordinator via email, and 

provide mileage to/from the meeting, and dates of arrival and departure to/from residence.

Rental Car and Train Reservations

Members are not allowed to use a rental car for travel to/from hotel to obtain dinner. You will 

not be reimbursed. However, in the event there are no other flights to/from an airport or other 

modes of transportation available, and your only option is to use a rental car or train to/from a 

meeting, you must state why it would be advantageous to the Federal government. If the 
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rental car cost + gas or train is less than airline cost this would be advantageous to the Federal 

government. USDA will reimburse you. However, if the rental car or train cost is more than 

the airline, then you are responsible for paying the difference.

To reserve a rental car or train, you must obtain prior approval two weeks before a meeting. 

Submit to the travel coordinator a written justification stating your need, and include a cost 

comparison for the rental car , train and airline outlay. You can either locate a local rental car 

or train service and make your own reservation or submit your request to Boersman Travel 

service. 

Meeting Space and Lodging Accommodations

USDA/NOP is responsible for reserving and paying all expenses for the meeting space and 

lodging. Members are not allowed to make hotel reservations within the authorized travel 

dates. However, if you plan to modify your arrival/departure travel dates for personal reasons, 

please contact the hotel and travel coordinator. To avoid “no show” charges, it’s important 

that the hotel is aware of travel dates modification. Personal travel is non-reimbursable.

Post-Travel Document

After each meeting, the travel coordinator will forward to all members a post-travel document 

that should be completed and signed as soon as possible. Submit all applicable receipts (with 

the exception of meals) to the travel coordinator for processing for reimbursement. Travel 

documentation can be fax, email or mail to the attention of Travel Coordinator.

Travel reimbursement will include the following

- Rental Car or Train Expense (if applicable)

- Location per diem (meals)

- POV mileage to/from airport or meeting at .5 cents per mileage

- Roundtrip tolls fares

- Airport parking

- Local Transportation: Taxi cab fares to/from airport to hotel, or residence; tips not to 

exceed

- 15% of the fare; Shuttle services to/from airport to hotel, or residence

- Airline baggage

Submit your travel voucher information to:

Katherine Benham, NOSB Travel Coordinator

USDA/National Organic Program/Office of Deputy Administrator

1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2646, Stop Code 0268

Washington, D.C. 20250

(202) 205-7806, Fax No.: (202) 205-7808

Katherine.Benham@usda.gov
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What to Pack?

Dress code at NOSB meetings is business casual. It’s suggested to bring some casual attire and 

moderately formal attire, for a possible formal get together, or the occasional casual dinner. 

Most of the hotels also have work-out rooms and pools. For the most part, dress is not too 

important as long as you are representing the NOSB professionally. 

You might also wonder if you should pack all your papers that reference work you have done 

on your committees. Agenda, and agenda content, are available prior to meetings at 

www.ams.usda.gov/nosb/meetings/meetings.html. Plus, materials will be provided to you at 

the meetings in a book including copies of public comments, however, it is not a bad idea to 

bring hard copies of specific recommendations that your committee will be presenting. Also, it 

is always wise to bring a copy of OFPA and the Federal Register Regulation. We often refer to 

these documents during the meetings and they may or may not be provided. Always bring 

some cash for your taxi or shuttle to the hotel and from the hotel back to the airport. Extra 

cash for food is also recommended. Remember to save all your receipts.

List of Common Technical Sources Used by NOSB Members

Very often during the review process and discussions, NOSB members need to consult various 

sources of information. The following is a general list of common technical sources.

Accredited Certification Agencies

The function of the Accredited Certification Agencies (ACAs) is to certify, on behalf of USDA, 

that producers and handlers comply with approved organic practices. An ACA is accredited by 

the NOP. They operate in all regions of the United States and selected countries, and include 

private companies, not-for-profit organizations and several state government agencies.

Comprehensive list of ACAs: http://www.ams.usda.gov/NOPACAs

Federal Agencies 

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop

U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service

http://www.ars.usda.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture 

http://www.csrees.usda.gov

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service

http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/

U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service

http://www.fsis.usda.gov
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U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library Alternative Farming Systems 

Information Center

http://www.nalusda.gov/afsic/ofp/susagrsch.htm

U.S. Department of Agriculture Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program

http://www.sare.org/index.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Integrated Risk Information System

http://www.epa.gov/iris

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water

http://www.epa.gov/ow/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Water Science

http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Organic Agriculture Page

http://www.epa.gov/oecaagct/torg.html#National%20Organic%20Standards

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Inert Ingredients Permitted in Pesticide Products

http://www.epa.gov/opprd001/inerts/lists.html

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease 

Registry

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/atsdrhome.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/list.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition - Food 

Ingredients and Packaging Terms

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-def.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 

Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications 

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-fcn.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition 

Indirect" Additives Used in Food Contact Substances

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/opa-indt.html

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine

http://www.fda.gov/cvm

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Risk Analysis Clearinghouse

http://www.foodriskclearinghouse.umd.edu/

U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Numerical Listing of GRAS Notices

http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~rdb/opa-gras.html

U.S. National Institute of Health’s National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/centers/res-core/iowares2.htm.

U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration

http://www.osha.gov
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Other Sources

Harvard School of Public Health, Department of Nutrition

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/index.html

Tufts’ University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy

http://nutrition.tufts.edu/

American Dietetic Association

http://www.eatright.org

Appropriate Technology Transfer to Rural Areas

http://www.attra.org

CABI Publishing (organic research abstracts)

http://www.organic-research.com/

Codex Alimentarius Commission

http://www.codexalimentarius.net

European Union (organic regulation)

http://www.organic-europe.net/europe_eu/default.asp#2092

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

http://www.fao.org/organicag/default.htm

Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)

http://www.fao.org/es/esn/jecfa/database/cover.htm

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements

http://www.ifoam.org

International Food Information Council Foundation

http://www.ific.org

Institute of Food Science and Technology

http://www.ifst.org

Organic Farming Research Foundation

http://www.ofrf.org

Organic Materials Review Institute

http://www.omri.org

Organic Trade Association

http://www.ota.com

Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FIBL)

http://www.organic-europe.net

Rodale Institute

www.rodaleinstitute.org

The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service

http://www.attra.org

The Merck Index

http://www.merckbooks.com/
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PubMed

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/

Scirus

http://www.scirus.com/

Food Ingredients

http://www.food-ingredients.com/

American Association of Bovine Practitioners

www.aabp.org

Veterinary Botanical Medical Association

www.vbma.org

American Veterinary Medical Association

www.avma.org

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

www.ahvma.org

Glossary of Acronyms

AAPFCO Association of American Plant Food Control Officials

ACA Accredited Certification Agency, also 

ACA Accredited Certifiers Association 

AFBA American Farm Bureau Federation 

AFT American Farmland Trust 

AMS Agricultural Marketing Service (home of NOP) 

ANPR Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

ANSI American National Standards Institute ( private, non profit) 

AOS American Organic Standards (OTA industry guidelines) 

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA) 

ARC Audit, Review and Certification (USDA) 

ARCD Audit Review and Compliance Division, AMS, (USDA) 

ARS Agricultural Research Service (USDA) 

ATO All Things Organic, OTA’s trade show 

ATTRA Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (within NCAT) 

CAS Chemical Abstract Service 

CBI Confidential business information 

CEQ Council on Environmental Quality 

CODEX Internationally recognized standards for foods. 

CRP Conservation Reserve Program 

CSREES Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (USDA) 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

EQIP Environmental Quality Incentives Program 

ERS Economic Research Service (USDA) 
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FACA Federal Advisory Committee Act 

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization (UN)

FAS Foreign Agriculture Service (USDA) 

FCIC Federal Crop Insurance Corporation 

FDA Food and Drug Administration 

FIFRA Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act 

FMNP Farmers' Market Nutrition Program 

FNS Food and Nutrition Service (USDA) 

FSIS Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA) 

GAO General Accounting Office (investigative arm of Congress) 

GIPSA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (USDA) 

GMO (GEO) Genetically Modified (Engineered) Organism 

GRAS Generally regarded as safe, used by FDA 

HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point 

IFOAM International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements 

IOIA Independent Organic Inspectors Association

IUCLID International Uniform Chemical Information Database 

IOAS International Organic Accreditation Service 

IQF Individual quick frozen 

ISO International Organization for Standardization 

ISO 17011 Standards for Certification Agencies (used to be ISO Guide 65) 

ISO Guide 61 Guide for Accreditation Agencies 

ISO Guide 65 Guide for Certification Agencies (see ISO 17011) 

NAL National Agricultural Library (USDA)

NASDA National Association of State Departments of Agriculture 

NASOP National Association of State Organic Programs (now within NASDA) 

NASS National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA) 

NCAT National Center for Appropriate Technology (private non-profit) 

NSAC National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition 

NCGA National Cooperative Grocers Association 

NFFC National Family Farm Coalition 

NFU National Farmers Union 

NGO Non Governmental Organization, or Civil Society Organization 

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology 

NOC National Organic Coalition (RAFI, Center for Food Safety, NOFA, NCGA

NOP National Organic Program (USDA) 

NPDES National pollution discharge elimination system (Clean Water Act provision) 

NRCS Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA) 

OCA Organic Consumers Association 

OFARM Organic Farmers Association for Relationship Marketing 

OFPA Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (Title XXI of the 1990 Farm Bill) 

OFRF Organic Farming Research Foundation

OMRI Organic Materials Review Institute 
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OTA Organic Trade Association 

PR Proposed Rule 

RAFI Rural Advancement Foundation International (now the ETC Group) 

RMA Risk Management Agency

SAN, SANET Sustainable Agriculture Network (USDA) 

SARE Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (grant program of USDA) 

SAWG Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SARE-funded; national & regional)

TAP Technical Advisory Panel 

TMD Transportation and Marketing Division of USDA (contains NOP) 

TTB Alcohol Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (formally Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco 

and Firearms (BATF)) 

USDA United States Department of Agriculture 

WHIP Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program 

WHO World Health Organization 

WRP Wetland Reserve Program 

WTO World Trade Organization
USDA-AMS | National Organic Program (NOP)

NOSB New Member Guide | Updated September 2, 2010

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National Organic Standards Board Committees

Executive Committee Officers (2010)

Dan Giacomini Chairperson

Tracy Miedema Vice-Chairperson

Tina Ellor Secretary

Executive Committee Representatives (2010)

Tina Ellor, Chairperson Crops

Joe Smillie, Chairperson Compliance, Accreditation & Certification

Steve DeMuri, Chairperson Handling

Kevin Engelbert, Chairperson Livestock

Katrina Heinze, Chairperson Materials

Barry Flamm, Chairperson Policy Development

Crops Committee

Tina Ellor, Chair

Jeff Moyer, Vice Chair

Kevin Engelbert

Jay Feldman

Barry Flamm

John Foster

Annette Riherd

Compliance, Accreditation & Certification

Joe Smillie, Chair

Tracy Miedema, Vice Chair

Joe Dickson

Barry Flamm

Jennifer Hall

Handling Committee

Steve DeMuri, Chair

John Foster, Vice Chair

Joe Dickson

Jennifer Hall

Katrina Heinze

Tracy Miedema

Joseph Smillie

Livestock Committee

Kevin Engelbert, Chair

Wendy Fulwider, Vice Chair

Joe Dickson

Tina Ellor

Dan Giacomini

Jennifer Hall

Jeff Moyer

Annette Riherd

Materials Committee

Katrina Heinze, Chair

Jay Feldman, Vice Chair

John Foster

Wendy Fulwider

Dan Giacomini

Jeff Moyer

Policy Development Committee

Barry Flamm, Chair

Annette Riherd, Vice Chair

Steve DeMuri

Kevin Engelbert

Jay Feldman
USDA-AMS | National Organic Program (NOP)

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National Organic Program – Contact Information

USDA-AMS | National Organic Program (NOP)

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Room 2646-South, Stop 0268

Washington, D.C. 20250

Phone: (202) 720-3252 Fax: (202) 205-7808

NOP: www.ams.usda.gov/nop

NOSB: www.ams.usda.gov/nosb

Staff Contacts

Office of the Deputy Administrator

Miles McEvoy Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program

(202) 720-3252 | Miles.McEvoy@ams.usda.gov

Arthur Neal Associate Deputy Administrator, National Organic Program

(202) 720-3252 | Arthur.Neal@ams.usda.gov

Lisa Ahramjian Executive Director, National Organic Standards Board

(202) 690-3962 | Lisa.Ahramjian@ams.usda.gov 

Katherine Benham Advisory Board Specialist

(202) 205-7806 | Katherine.Benham@ams.usda.gov

Judith Ragonesi Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5712 | Judith.Ragonesi@ams.usda.gov

Betsy Rakola Grants Management Specialist

(202) 720-0081 | Betsy.Rakola@ams.usda.gov

Valerie Thorne Secretary

(202) 720-3252 | Valerie.Thorne@ams.usda.gov

Standards Division

Melissa Bailey Director, Standards Division

(202) 260-8079 | Melissa.Bailey@ams.usda.gov

Lisa Brines, Ph.D. Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Standardization

(202) 720-8405 | Lisa.Brines@ams.usda.gov

Emily Brown Rosen Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Standardization

(202) 260-8076 | Emily.BrownRosen@ams.usda.gov 

Valerie Frances Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5556 | Valerie.Frances@ams.usda.gov

Stacy Jones Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 690-3655 | Stacy.Jones@ams.usda.gov

Mark Keating Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Standardization

(202) 720-7804 | Mark.Keating@ams.usda.gov
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Shannon Nally Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5493 | Shannon.Nally@ams.usda.gov

Maria (Toni) Strother Agricultural Marketing Specialist

(202) 690-2624 | Toni.Strother@ams.usda.gov

Accreditation & International Activities Division

Mark Bradley Director, Accreditation & International Activities Program

(202) 690-0725 | Mark.Bradley@ams.usda.gov

Catherine Cash Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 692-0047 | Catherine.Cash@ams.usda.gov

Lars Crail Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5536 | Lars.Crail@ams.usda.gov

Meghan Kuhn Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 720-3233 | Meg.Kuhn@ams.usda.gov

Mary Lou Lusby Program Specialist

(540) 361-7640 X 106 | MaryLou.Lusby@ams.usda.gov

Jonathan (J.D.) Melvin Agricultural Marketing Specialist

(202) 690-4540 | Jonathan.Melvin@ams.usda.gov 

Robert (Bob) Pooler Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 690-1312 | Bob.Pooler@ams.usda.gov

Compliance & Enforcement Division

Ruihong Guo Director, Compliance & Enforcement Division

(202) 720-8491 | Ruihong.Guo@ams.usda.gov

Lorraine Coke Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 720-3252 | Lorraine.Coke@ams.usda.gov

Renee Mann Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5213 | Renee.Mann@ams.usda.gov

Gayle Peterson Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory (on detail)

(202) 260-8077 | Renee.Mann@ams.usda.gov

Andrew Regalado Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5605 | Andrew.Regalado@ams.usda.gov

Valerie Schmale Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-7804 | Valerie.Schmale@ams.usda.gov

Kristin Thornblad Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 720-1153 | Kristin.Thornblad@ams.usda.gov

Tammie Wilburn Agricultural Marketing Specialist, Regulatory

(202) 205-5137 | Tammie.Wilburn@ams.usda.gov
National Organic Standards Board

Policy Development Committee

NOSB New Member Guide

Updates

August 10, 2010

Committee Vote

Motion: To accept the recommended edits to the New Member Guide

Motion: Barry Flamm Second: Kevin Engelbert

Yes: 3 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 2