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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, January 14, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker, Chair (CW), Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy Fulwider (WF), 

Jennifer Taylor (JT), Francis Thicke (FT), Jay Feldman (sitting in), Colehour Bondera (CB, sitting in)

Absent: Melissa Bailey (MB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JT Subcommittee reps to MS

WF-LS

JFe-CS

ZS-HS

JT? ZS? - GMO ad hoc

08 27 13 Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) 

TF Fall 2013 Meeting cancelled

Will discuss any potential revisions 

on Jan call

07 23 13 Proposal Spr 2014

Update petition and TR process 

-Misc topics 

ZS/LB Fall 2013 Meeting cancelled. No 

revisions to proposal as of 12 10 13

08 13 13 Proposal Spr 2014

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity ZS/JFe Written report. Working on 

revisions. 

Spr 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc Spr 2014 

Potential Future Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting
Tracing GMOs in 

Input/Ingredient Chain

Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

JFe, CBo Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Transgene flow JFe Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Agenda:

• Approve Materials/GMO notes from December 10, 2013

• Spring Milestones inclusive of February’s confab

• Seed Purity Update (ZS)

• CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions - Calvin

• AC21 Comment Period Extension - Mark

• Future Work Plan Briefs Reminder - Calvin

o Tracing GMOs in the input ingredient chain

o Farmer’s Choice

o Transgene Flow

• Request for Sunset 2016 TRs - Zea

• Reassign Subcommittee reps to MS for Research Priorities if time

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the December 10, 2013 call were approved with the following amendment:

o JT asked about the possibility of the MS providing a report/summary of their prior work 

to the NOSB Chair and to the program (e.g., during Executive call time) to inform other 

Subcommittees about issues they are working on.”.

• Spring Milestones inclusive of February’s confab

o LB had no new information to report in MB’s absence

• Seed Purity Update (ZS)

o Mark Lipson and Jay Feldman provided comments and ZS is still reviewing them. She 

asked that the NOP provide input before next call (with time to make adjustments if 

needed). LB will check in with the head of the Standards division to see if the NOP has 

additional input. 

o There was discussion about the tone of the first paragraph and how the issue was 

described. ZS explained that the paragraph was intentionally worded to describe the 

issue neutrally and to avoid the use of inflammatory language.

o The group also discussed the comment about intermediary steps that the NOP could 

accomplish, since some of the larger issues are outside of NOP’s mandate or are part of 

the wider debate about GMOs and responsibilities of patent holders. The group 

discussed rewording two specific sections: one to indicate that the NOSB needs more 

information on mechanisms about how compensation would work; and the section 

about describing how GMO drift causes a burden on organic farmers and impedes their 

ability to comply with the NOP standard.
o ZS will revise the document and circulate it prior to next call. The next draft should be 

ready by the end of January. The Chair asked about scheduling an additional call on 

February 25th to finalize this document, and asked that the NOP provide written 

feedback to next call on February 11th.

• CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions - Calvin

o FT agreed to lead the discussion at the spring NOSB Meeting. CW suggested making 

modifications based on public comment received and asked that the members send any 

suggestion to FT. The group will discuss this topic on next call. The Chair noted that this 

document does not need to be revised, or voted on again.

• AC21 Comment Period Extension – ML

o The deadline for public comment was extended to March 3

• Future Work Plan Briefs Reminder - CW

o JT will draft a document on Farmer’s Choice

o ZS intends to work on the discussion document for Terminology for Excluded Methods

o FT mentioned Monsanto case that was rejected from Supreme Court

o Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling proposals for 

potentially fall 2014

Future Scheduled Subcommittee Calls:

December 10, 2013 1:00 ET

January 14, 2014 1:00 ET

Seed Purity Update (ZS)

CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions

February 11, 2014 1:00 ET

Review edits to the Seed Purity document

CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions 

February 25, 2014 1:00 ET – extra call tentatively scheduled to finalize seed purity document.

March 11, 2014 1:00 ET

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Spring 2014 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014
Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 28- May 1, 2014
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, February 11, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker, Chair (CW), Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy 

Fulwider (WF), Jennifer Taylor (JT), Francis Thicke (FT), Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in, Mac Stone (MS) -

sitting in, Colehour Bondera - (CB) - sitting in

Absent: none

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Melissa Bailey (MB), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JT Subcommittee reps to MS

WF-LS

JFe-CS

ZS-HS

JT? ZS? - GMO ad hoc

08 27 13 Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) 

TF Fall 2013 Meeting cancelled

Will discuss comments and any 

potential revisions on Feb 25 call

07 23 13 Proposal Spr 2014

Update petition and TR process 

-Misc topics 

ZS/LB Fall 2013 Meeting cancelled. No 

revisions to proposal

08 13 13 Proposal Spr 2014

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity ZS/JFe Written report. Will be finalized 

Feb 25.

Spr 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc Spr 2014 

Potential Future Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting
Tracing GMOs in 

Input/Ingredient Chain

Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

JFe, CBo Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Transgene flow JFe Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Agenda:

• Approve January 14, 2014 notes

• Material Process Training Recap (Tentative)

• Discuss 2014 Publication: “Protecting Organic Seed Integrity” by the Organic Seed Growers and 

Trade Association. 

• Seed Purity Update

• Research Priorities across USDA Departments

• CBI - Discuss comments/Potential revisions

• Future workplan reminder: Farmer’s Choice

• Research funding possibility ($20M) - Seeking an Organic or Sustainable & Organic Category 

• Next meeting agenda

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the January 14, 2014 call were approved with no changes.

• Materials Process Training Recap - The NOP updated the group about the Petition and TR 

Process proposal and whether or not the current MS proposal needed to be revised to address 

petitions for removal of materials. The NOP feels that it does not need to be revised at this stage 

but intends to address this issue before publication.

• 2014 Publication: “Protecting Organic Seed Integrity” by the Organic Seed Growers and Trade 

Association - The group discussed this publication and a member indicated that she would like 

to work on future guidance about protecting organic from GMO contamination. 

• Seed Purity document - Several members and NOP staff circulated edited drafts and comments

prior to the call and the group discussed various revisions and changes; both copy editing and 

content. ZS will complete the editing and the group will finalize the document on the Feb 25 call. 

• Research Priorities. The members discussed, and decided, on an earlier call to not alter the 

Research Priorities document. The MS will submit this document for the fall 2014 meeting. 

• CBI - Discuss comments/potential revisions. CW will send the summary of fall 2013 comments to 

FT for review, and the group will discuss them Feb 25 to determine whether or not this proposal 

will be revised. The Chair noted that based on his assessment of the comments, they will not 

make changes.

• Future workplan reminder. The MS Chair reminded the potential lead reviewer to complete the 

position paper on Farmer’s Choice in order to submit it to the NOP for consideration for 

inclusion on the workplan. 

• Research Funding Possibility ($20M) - The Chair noted that this is a great opportunity and 

would like to see the NOSB play a role in seeking an organic or sustainable & organic category

• The next meeting agenda was revised based on today’s call
• The meeting was adjourned

Future Scheduled Subcommittee Calls:

January 14, 2014 1:00 ET

Seed Purity Update (ZS)

CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions

February 11, 2014 1:00 ET

Review edits to the Seed Purity document - will complete edits and finalize on next call.

CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions - postponed to next call

February 25, 2014 1:00 ET – extra call tentatively scheduled to finalize seed purity document.

CBI - discuss summarized fall 2013 comments

Review/finalize Seed Purity document

March 11, 2014 1:00 ET

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Spring 2014 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 28- May 1, 2014
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, February 25, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker, Chair (CW), Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy 

Fulwider (WF), Francis Thicke (FT), Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in, Mac Stone (MS) - sitting in, Colehour 

Bondera (CB) - sitting in, Jean Richardson (JR) - sitting in

Absent: Jennifer Taylor (JT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Melissa Bailey (MB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JT Subcommittee reps to MS

WF-LS

JFe-CS

ZS-HS

No revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 27 13 Spr 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) 

TF Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revision to fall 2013 proposal

07 23 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

Update petition and TR process 

-Misc topics 

ZS/LB Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 13 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity ZS/JFe Written report 02 25 14 Spr 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014
Potential Future Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Tracing GMOs in 

Input/Ingredient Chain

Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

JFe, CBo Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Transgene flow JFe Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve February 11, 2014 notes

• Seed Purity

• CBI - Discuss comments/Potential Revisions and Vote 

• Petition and TR Process proposal Update 

• Review next meeting Dates: March 11 and April 8

• Other business

Discussion:

• Notes from the February 11, 2014 call were approved with no changes

• Seed Purity Report. The members briefly discussed some minor edits. The lead reviewer asked 

that in the future if members have comments to please circulate them with plenty of lead time 

so they can review them for discussion. The NOP noted that they did not have any objections to 

the edits, so ZS will incorporate some of them and send the document to the Chair for 

transmission to the NOP. 

VOTE on Seed Purity: 

Motion to accept the report on Seed Purity

Motion by: ZS

Seconded by: CW

Discussion: No additional discussion

Yes: 5 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0

• CBI - Discuss comments/Potential Revisions and Vote. The lead reviewer noted that after 

reviewing both the spring and fall 2013 proposals he did not see a need for revisions. A member 

agreed with this assessment, and feels that it’s important to acknowledge the past public 

comment at the spring 2014 meeting. Many commenters expressed their support for 

eliminating CBI, which the Board agrees with. The Board feels that it is not possible to make 

determinations on materials without some disclosure of information. They are seeking

information about manufacturing processes only, such as extraction or distillation, not detailed 
information about recipes. The group will submit the same proposal that was submitted for fall 

2013 without revisions. 

• The Chair noted that members were encouraged to visit the USDA website and were pleased to 

see that organic was fairly prominent on the page. 

• Petition and TR Process proposal update. The document is complete and will be put forth for the 

spring 2014 as is. 

• The Chair noted the next meeting dates were March 11 and April 8, and a member suggested 

adding a discussion of workplan items since the deadline to submit workplan ideas to the NOP is 

immediately after the March 11 call. 

• Other business: 

o The Subcommittee will discuss the fall 2013 Research Priorities proposal at the spring 

2014 meeting. MA will add this item to the draft agenda. The group will revisit the 

Research Priorities liaison assignments (see above table) after the spring meeting. 

o NM will not be on the Mar 11 call. ZS will not be on the Apr 8 call

• The meeting was adjourned.

Future Scheduled Subcommittee Calls:

February 11, 2014 1:00 ET

Review edits to the Seed Purity document - will complete edits and finalize on next call.

CBI - discuss comments/potential revisions - postponed to next call

February 25, 2014 1:00 ET – extra call tentatively scheduled to finalize seed purity document.

CBI - discuss summarized fall 2013 comments

Review/finalize Seed Purity document

March 11, 2014 1:00 ET. 

Prevention Strategy Guidance

Other workplan items

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET. 

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Spring 2014 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014

NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014
NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 28- May 1, 2014
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker, Chair (CW), Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Wendy Fulwider (WF), Francis 

Thicke (FT), Jay Feldman (JFe) - sitting in, Mac Stone (MS) - sitting in

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Jennifer Taylor (JT), Melissa Bailey (MB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JT Subcommittee reps to MS

WF-LS

JFe-CS

ZS-HS

No revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 27 13 Spr 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) 

TF Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revision to fall 2013 proposal

07 23 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

Update petition and TR process 

-Misc topics 

ZS/LB Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 13 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report 02 25 14 Spr 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014
Potential Future Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Tracing GMOs in 

Input/Ingredient Chain

Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

ZS, JFe, CBo Discussion doc? ZS Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Transgene flow JFe Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing papers to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve February 25, 2014 notes

• Update on Posting Proposals

• Due Date Reminder 

• Seed Purity document

• Discussion of tentative work plan due to NOP by March 12, 2014

a. Prevention strategy Guidance for Excluded methods in crops and handling

b. Seed Purity: The next step

c. Transgene Flow: The next step

d. Farmer Choice: The next step

e. Other: To be determined

• Petition: Aluminum sulfate (LB)

• Other business

o Public comment compilations

• Next Meeting Dates

o April 8, 2014 at 1:00 ET

o May 13, 2014 at 1:00 ET

Discussion:

• Notes from the February 25, 2014 call were approved with minor changes to the section on CBI.

• Seed Purity document - the group will determine how to proceed with this document based on 

the comments they receive for the spring meeting.

• Tentative work plan items due to NOP by March 12, 2014

a. Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - The NOP 

indicated that it is supportive of the concept for this work but wants to write a memo to send to 

the Board to place it on the workplan, so it is forwarded as an official request from the program 

to the Board. A member asked that the NOP make this a priority since the Board will be very 

busy with Sunset reviews for the next few NOSB Meetings. They noted that there is a need for 

expediency during this short window of opportunity. The group discussed the process for getting 

this particular item on the workplan, and the NOP indicated that due to its nature, it’s important 

that the scope is well defined. The MS Chair and/or principal reviewer will discuss this further on 

the ES call. Members discussed adding specific language to the briefing paper, including 
reiterating that organic means non-GMO as well as background information and history about 

the new process that is now in effect. ML suggested adding references to past guidance and/or

situations where the rule has proved to be inadequate, such as GMO avoidance. ZS will 

recirculate the document and the group will discuss it on the ES call on Friday.

c. Transgene Flow: The next step - deferred for time

d. Farmer Choice: The next step - deferred for time

e. Other: To be determined - deferred for time

• Petition: Aluminum sulfate (LB) - The NOP received a petition for Aluminum Sulfate for both 

Crops and Livestock use, and The National List manager is seeking advice from the Materials 

Subcommittee about which Subcommittee should conduct the review. The petitioned uses are 

as follows: (1) treatment of poultry litter (205.603) and (2) application of treated poultry litter to 

the field (205.601). The members discussed whether or not the review should be conducted by 

one Subcommittee or both and chose to have both conducts reviews sequentially. The MS Chair 

indicated that it should go to Livestock first, with clear instructions that it is being petitioned for 

two uses. When Livestock has completed the review it will then go to Crops, and then both 

proposals could be presented and voted on at the same NOSB meeting. NOP will send the 

petition to Livestock for inclusion on their workplan.

• Next Meeting Dates

o April 8, 2014 

o May 13, 2014 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

February 25, 2014 1:00 ET – extra call tentatively scheduled to finalize seed purity document.

CBI - discuss summarized fall 2013 comments

Review/finalize Seed Purity document

March 11, 2014 1:00 ET

Prevention Strategy Guidance

Other workplan items

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET. ZS absent

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Spring 2014 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014
NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 11, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX ~Apr 298- May 1, 2014
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, April 11, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair (Wendy Fulwider, Vice Chair, (WF), Francis Thicke (FT), Nick

Maravell (NM), Zea Sonnabend (ZS)

Absent: Jennifer Taylor (JT) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Melissa Bailey (MB), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JT Subcommittee reps to MS

WF-LS

JFe-CS

ZS-HS

No revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 27 13 Spr 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) 

TF Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revision to fall 2013 proposal

07 23 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

Update petition and TR process 

-Misc topics 

ZS/LB Fall 2013 meeting cancelled. No 

revisions to fall 2013 proposal

08 13 13 Proposal 

Spr 2014

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report 02 25 14 Spr 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014
Potential Future Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Tracing GMOs in 

Input/Ingredient Chain

Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing paper to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

CW, ZS Discussion doc? ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this is placed on 

the workplan. Waiting for 

response from NOP

Fall 2014

Transgene flow JFe Discussion doc? Will write 

briefing paper to submit to 

the NOP

TBD

Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve March 11, 2014 notes

• Update on posting proposals

• Public comments

• NOSB Material Report, Sunset 2016-17

• NOSB/NOP 2013 Research Priority Assessment by USDA Organic Working Group

• Organic Website Search Engine - Continue Site visit Update

• Spring Meeting Presentations

• MS Work Plan Topic Justification, NOP Approval Update 

• Other business

• Next Meeting Dates

o May 13, 2014 at 1:00 ET

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the March 11, 2014 call were approved with no changes.

• Public comments. The comments are currently being bundled and will be sent to the Board 

members in the next couple of days for review 

• NOSB Material Report, Sunset 2016-17. The latest Materials report was circulated last week. 

Currently there are two outstanding Sunset 2016 TRs in development: CS and HS. The NOP 

noted that the 2017 Sunset requests are due in July. 

• NOSB/NOP 2013 Research Priority Assessment by USDA Organic Working Group. ML 

circulated an informal report to the group ahead of the call and the group briefly discussed the 

comments. The report will be presented at the Board meeting in San Antonio. NOP staff 

participated in discussions with the Organic Working Group to help clarify some of the research 

priorities and noted that the working group members carefully considered each point before 

providing feedback. During the discussions the NOP was able to add some clarifying language 

and had some suggestions for the Subcommittee when writing future research priorities that 

could help the scientific panels that are convened to conduct these types of reviews. The 
panelists are recruited from various fields and are comprised of both governmental and nongovernmental people. The MS members discussed how to proceed with the next Research 

Priorities list. One member urged the group to start discussing the fall 2014 list in their 

respective Subcommittees so they can start working on the fall 2014 proposal. 

• Organic Website Search Engine. The Chair is very supportive of this website and encouraged 

people to visit. The website will be updated now that the farm bill has been signed. 

• Spring Meeting Presentations. ZS will present three of the four spring proposals/reports and 

the MS Chair volunteered to summarize the public comments for each. 

• MS Work Plan Topic Justification, NOP Approval Update. The NOP is working on a workplan 

request in response to the MS about the following briefing paper it submitted: Prevention 

Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling. The NOP plans to send this to 

the Subcommittee prior to the spring meeting. The table above was changed to reflect this 

update.

• Other business. The Chair let the members know about a USDA funding program he works with 

extensively that funds organic and sustainable agriculture research at historically black land 

grant Universities. 

• Next Meeting Dates. May 13, 2014 at 1:00 ET. See below for updated list.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

March 11, 2014 1:00 ET

Prevention Strategy Guidance

Other workplan items

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET. Moved to April 11, 2014.

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

June 10, 2014 1:00 ET

July 8, 2014 1:00 ET

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2014 Milestones Target date

Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2016 substances Jan 15, 2014

NOSB Training meeting Feb 4 - 5, 2014

NOP – Complete tentative agenda Feb 7, 2014

Spring 2014 proposals due to NOP Feb 26, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 10, 2014

Subcommittees submit tentative workplans to NOP Mar 12, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Mar 14, 2014
NOP provides written comments on workplans to NOSB Mar 28, 2014

Public comment closes Apr 8, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call Apr 18, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 14, 2014

Spring 2014 NOSB Meeting – San Antonio, TX Apr 29 - May 2, 2014
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, May 13, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Francis Thicke (FT), Nick Maravell (NM), Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice 

Chair, Jay Feldman, (JFe) - sitting in

Absent: Jennifer Taylor (JT), Wendy Fulwider, (WF)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

ZS Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps Fall 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

CW, FT Discussion doc? ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14

Fall 2014
Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve April 11, 2014 notes

• NOSB Material Report 

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update

• Work Plan

• MS Work Plan Topic Justification, NOP Approval Update 

• Research Priorities 

• Terminology for Excluded Methods (formerly Plant breeding)

• Seed Purity Report 

• Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

• Second Call Discussion

• Other business

• Next Meeting Dates (see below)

• New Fall Timetable (see below)

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the April 11, 2014 call approved with no changes.

• NOSB Materials Report - The National List Manager distributed a new Materials Report to the 

NOSB just prior to the Subcommittee meeting and noted that the technical reports for the 2016 

Sunset Materials should be back soon. The group discussed the TR for yeast and its applicability 

to microorganisms. 

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update - There was no update regarding this topic. 

However, the NOP is conducting a Google + webinar tomorrow on Growing Organic.

• Work Plan – The new 2014 workplans are posted and MA will paste the tables into the 

Subcommittee notes for reference.

• MS Work Plan Topic Justification, NOP Approval Update - No update

• Research Priorities - A member asked that the group schedule discussion time for the Research 

Priorities, noting that the Board received several suggestions from the community for research 

topics. The MS assigned liaisons to the other subcommittees for the Research Priorities (see 

table above). The MS Chair will ask WF if she would liaise with CACS even though they do not 

typically have research topics. A member added that it’s important to recognize that lead time is 

very important because the timeline from conception to implementation is long. The members 

also discussed the format for the topics, in an effort to supply the Organic Working Group with 

as much specificity and detail as possible. 

• Terminology for Excluded Methods (formerly Plant breeding) – Discussion time for this topics 

was added to the calendar below

• Seed Purity Report – The group would like to ask MB or ML on next call how to interface with 

Economic Research Service (ERS)

• Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling. The NOP sent a 

memo to the Board on April 28, 2014 approving the addition of this item to the workplan. 

• Second Call Discussion – The group added a call to the schedule for August 26, 2014 1:00 ET

• Other business - none

• Next Meeting Dates (see below)

• New Fall Timetable (see below)
• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

April 8, 2014 1:00 ET. Moved to April 11, 2014.

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

June 10, 2014 1:00 ET

How to interface with Economic Research Service (ERS) (ML)

July 8, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 27 - Oct 31
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Francis Thicke (FT), Jennifer Taylor 

(JT), Wendy Fulwider, (WF), Jay Feldman, (JFe) 

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

ZS Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps Fall 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

CW, FT Discussion doc? ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14

Fall 2014
Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve May 13, 2014 notes

• Petition & CBI Recommendations - NOP Implementation (LB)

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update (ML)

• Approaches to interfacing with the Economic Research Service (ML)

• Work plan Assignments/Assistance 

• Work Plan Review July 8, 2014 1:00 ET (ZS)

o Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

o Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

• Research Priorities Update from the Livestock Subcommittee 

• Fall Milestones (MA)

• Next Meeting Dates (CW)

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the May 13, 2014 call were approved with no changes.

• Petition & CBI Recommendations (LB) - The NOP provided an update about plans for 

implementation of their recommendation to update the Petition and TR process. The goal is to 

publish the Federal Register (FR) notice before the next NOSB fall meeting. The hope is that any 

petitions received in the interim are in compliance with the new guidelines and do not contain 

Confidential Business Information (CBI). LB will flag any petitions that are submitted between 

now and the effective date of the new FR notice that contain CBI. Members asked if the NOP will 

hold petitions that comply with the new guidelines until the new guidelines are published and 

the NOP indicated that the preference is that petitioners delay submission of those petitions 

until the guidelines are published. A member asked a question about a streamlined process to 

change annotations.

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update (ML) - ML (OSEC) updated the group about 

activities pertaining to Organic at the USDA, including the Farm Bill implementation, the 

agriculture survey and census. The group discussed the comprehensiveness of the survey, which 

is 12 pages long, and its utility to crop insurance and risk management. Members also discussed

public comment regarding the GMO contamination in seed purity document, and the AC21 

implementation team. A member inquired about how the NOSB can help further the process 

along. The program suggested forwarding the Seed Purity report to other entities inside the

USDA, highlighting this issue. ZS will send the report to The NOP Deputy Administrator and ML 

to forward to the appropriate people.

• Work Plan Review 

o Research Priorities Update - ZS asked the MS to develop and submit Research Priorities

for the fall 2014 meeting. JFe volunteered to be the liaison to each of the other 

Subcommittee leads to keep this moving forward. ZS also reminded the group to review 

the Research Priorities Framework and how priorities are brought to the forefront for 

consideration. Specifically, the suggestions from stakeholders. ML noted that the 

Research Priorities Framework has garnered lots of attention, and suggested that it 

might be more useful to keep it a short list of important priorities and not just a 

compendium of topics. 
o The MS Chair indicated the Livestock Subcommittee will review the Framework and

prioritize their projects, taking into account any public comments they received, to see if 

there is overlap.

• Organic at USDA Update

o Secretary Vilsack announced a research grant opportunity for citrus greening disease. A 

member of the organic community was seated on USDA research advisory Board on 

Citrus Greening, which is charged with distributing research grants. 

o ZS and the NOP participated in an E-Organic seed webinar last week. ZS noted that they 

had nearly 300 participants from all around the world. 

o CW mentioned that each state has at least one land grant university who has money for 

research needs and noted that they are very receptive to inquiries for grants. 

• Fall Milestones - see table below as a reminder.

• Next Meeting Dates - see list below.

• Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - The discussion for 

this topic was scheduled for July 8 (see below). ZS suggested that the lead reviewer(s) review 

two documents: the NOP memo issued April 28, 2014 as well as her briefing paper sent to 

Board members March 11, 2014. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

May 13, 2014 1:00 ET

June 10, 2014 1:00 ET

How to interface with Economic Research Service (ERS) (ML)

July 8, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014
NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 27 - Oct 31
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, July 8, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Jennifer Taylor (JT), Wendy 

Fulwider (WF), Nick Maravell (NM), Jean Richardson (JR) - sitting in 

Absent: Jay Feldman (JFe), Francis Thicke (FT)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps Fall 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT, CW Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Fall 2014
Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve June 10, 2014 notes

• New Petition: 3-decen-2-one, potato sprout inhibitor (Lisa, 5 minutes)

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update 

• Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment (JFe) - Deferred to August 12

• Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods 

• Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling (FT) -

Deferred to August 12

• Research Priorities Update from the Livestock Subcommittee 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug

• Fall Milestones Update 

• Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the June 10, 2014 approved with no changes

• New Petition: 3-decen-2-one, potato sprout inhibitor (LB). Petitioner requested addition to 

§205.601 for post-harvest use on potatoes. The NOP discussed the appropriate section of the 

list (§205.601 vs §205.605) in light of the post-harvest handling draft guidance that was issued 

April 25. NOP will leave the final determination for placement to the NOSB. The group discussed 

specifics of the petition such as the timing of the application of the material, which has bearing 

on which Subcommittee would complete the review. As a petition for §205.601, the petition will 

be reviewed by the Crops Subcommittee not Handling. The petition was incomplete as received 

and will be distributed to the CS once it meets the petition guidelines.

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update (ML). The Farm bill implementation is moving 

forward. Certification and Cost Share program is progressing and the states are in the process of 

applying for Cost Share grants. ML noted that OSEC is currently searching for his successor upon 

his departure, and it will be an internal hire. 

• Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment - Deferred to August 12

• Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods - The lead circulated an outline prior to the 

call and the group discussed it. The public comment the Board received for spring 2015 was 

diverse. A couple of the commenters referenced the Senate report that accompanied OFPA

(1990), and was quoted in the first proposed rule. (62 Fed. Reg. 65850, 65875). The NOP will 

locate this document and send it to the Subcommittee members. The goal of this document is to 

clarify which techniques are considered excluded. A member added that many of the techniques 

discussed in the draft document have already crept into the seed supply. The Chair asked about 

lengthening the current comment period from 30 days to 6 months. The entire group feels that 

it is a very complex topic and 30 days is inadequate.. MA will check on the status of the NOSB 

recommendation regarding an open, ongoing public docket. ML encouraged the NOP to seek a 

resolution to this. 

• Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - deferred 

to August 12

• Research Priorities update from the Livestock Subcommittee – The LS is working on Research 

Priorities’ ranking, and will forward the list to the Materials Subcommittee by end of week.
• Organic Bug or Organic Hug. CW spoke with community members, specifically Marty Mesh of 

the Florida Organic Growers, about working with Universities to provide training opportunities 

to farmers in the southern states.

• Fall Milestones Update - See table below.

• Next Meeting Dates - August 12 and 26

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

June 10, 2014 1:00 ET

How to interface with Economic Research Service (ERS) (ML)

July 8, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment - Deferred to August 12

Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - Deferred to 

August 12

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 27 - Oct 31
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, August 12, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Jennifer Taylor (JT), Wendy Fulwider 

(WF), Jay Feldman (JFe), Francis Thicke (FT), Jean Richardson (JR) - sitting in 

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC. Betsy Rakola (BR), Emily Brown 

Rosen (EBR)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps Fall 2014

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc NA Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT, CW Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Fall 2014
Agenda

• Roll Call

• Approve July 8, 2014 notes

• NOP National List update?

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update

• Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment 

• Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

• Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug

• Fall Milestones Update 

• Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the July 8, 2014 were approved with no changes.

• NOP National List update (LB). The Sunset 2017 TR request list is being finalized and the NOP will 

send it to the entire Board once it is finalized. 

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update (ML). 

o Betsy Rakola, NOP Accreditation Manager has been named successor to Mark Lipson as the 

Organic Policy Advisor and Chair of the Organic Working Group. They are currently 

collaborating to define her roles, including that on the Materials Subcommittee. 

o The MS Chair asked about the potential for tax incentives for organizations to bring forth 

organic alternatives. ML offered to put out some queries to seek information or potential 

networks. ML also suggested looking into SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) grants 

in NIFA, who provides seed funding for new ideas. ML will send links to MA. 

• Discuss Research Priorities suggestions (JFe) - The group discussed the draft document that was 

circulated prior to the call, and discussed the Research Priorities Framework document as well. The 

Framework explains the criteria and process for adding Research Priorities to the list and, as NOP 

noted, provides the NOSB with a venue to solicit information that would help in the decision 

making process for items where a lack of data/information has been identified as a problem. A 

member asked about adding a topic regarding no-till practices. The Crops Chair indicated that this 

topic will be discussed on the next Crops call and they will provide feedback to the Materials 

Subcommittee. Another member remarked that the NRCS representative who participated on one 

of the Crops calls discussed this topic in relation to the soils assessment document that the CACS is 

working on. Another topic proposed for possible addition to the research priorities list was 

biological controls. The members discussed the phrase “biological controls” and felt that it was not 

specific enough, so may use the phrase bio-pesticides, or classical biological controls instead. 

• Draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods. The members discussed the draft document and 

incorporated various edits and comments. The lead noted the inclusion of the public comment that 

was received at the last meeting. The MS asked about having a 6-month comment period instead of 

the typical 30-day period which they feel is inadequate for such a complex topic. The NOP will seek 

options for comment collection and let the group know. The MS Chair requested NOP input prior to 

the posting of the document for the fall 2014 meeting. ZS will circulate another draft by the 

weekend so members will have a week to review. 

The following items were deferred to the next call die to lack of time:
o Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling (FT) -

deferred to next call.

o Organic Bug or Organic Hug

o Fall Milestones Update 

o Next Meeting Dates

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

June 10, 2014 1:00 ET

How to interface with Economic Research Service (ERS) (ML)

July 8, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment - Deferred to August 12

Discuss draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - Deferred to 

August 12

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 27 - Oct 31
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, August 26, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Vice Chair, Jay Feldman (JFe), Nick Maravell 

(NM), Tracy Favre (TF) sitting in, Jennifer Taylor (JT), Wendy Fulwider (WF), Francis Thicke (FT)

Absent: none

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Mark Lipson (ML), OSEC, Betsy Rakola (BR)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

08 26 14 Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps TBD

Terminology for Excluded 

Methods (formerly Plant 

Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc 08 26 14 Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT, CW Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Spr 2015
Agenda

• Roll Call (MA)

• Approve August 12, 2014 notes

• TR Request Update, Biopesticide and Organic Support Program

• Prevention Guidance for GMOs (FT)

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update

• Discuss research priorities suggestions from public comment

• Discuss 2nd draft of terminology for excluded methods

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug

• Fall Milestones Update

• Review Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes from the August 12, 2014 approved with no changes.

• NOP Update (LB). The TR requests are at the contracting office and being processed. LB will 

provide an update if there are any changes based on available budget, but NOP expects to be 

able to fund the current requests. LB noted that she forwarded an email regarding the IR4 

program to the members for informational purposes. The goal of the IR4 Biopesticide and 

Organic Support Program is to further the development and registration of biopesticides for use 

in pest management systems for specialty crops or for minor uses on major crops. 

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (ML). ML updated the group about his successor, 

Betsy Rakola, who will continue to work with the Materials Subcommittee. The Organic Working 

Group (OWG) met since the last MS call and ML updated the members. The Organic Agriculture 

Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) proposals will be finalized soon, and ML noted that 

there is overlap between the NOSB Research Priorities and the OREI proposals. 

• Research Priorities (JFe). A draft document was circulated prior to the call, and the group 

reviewed it and suggested various changes. Based on feedback from the Organic Working Group 

(OWG) the research items need to be narrowly focused and specific, so a few of the items were 

removed from the list as they were not viable candidates for research. Additionally, the current 

list contained items that were put forth previously, and while the group agreed that the items 

needed to remain on the list and kept at the forefront, they chose to include them in an 

appendix instead. A member reminded the group about the pace of research and funding 

sources and the need for patience with the research community. ML noted two approaches for 

the Research Priorities going forth: 1. Building an ongoing cumulative inventory or 2. Identifying 

a short list of top priorities. The group will have a more in depth conversation about these 

options for the next set of priorities. Members also asked about receiving a progress report on 

the past priorities. One member suggested the addition of a Research Priority on methods to 

reduce and/or eliminate impact of contamination on organic farming systems and in organic 

food. Another member noted that there is research on these topics. 

Vote on Research Priorities:

Motion to accept the 2014 Research Priorities document with modifications and 

removals as discussed 

Motion by: JFe
Seconded by: ZS

Discussion: no additional discussion

Y: 7 N: 0 Recuse: 0 Absent: 0 Abstentions: 0 

Motion carries

ABS Note 08 27 14: The MS recirculated the proposal with an addition and revoted on the 

amended proposal:

Motion to add the research priority, "Risk Reduction from Off-Target Exposure to NonPermitted Materials," to the final 2014 research priorities document. 

Motion by: JT

Seconded by: JFe

Discussion: A member objected to the fact that this was added at the last minute and 

the Subcommittee did not have time to discuss it in depth before it was added to the 

Research Priorities list

Y: 5 N: 1 Absent: 1 Abstentions: 0 Recuse: 0 

Motion carries

• Discuss 2nd draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods. The group discussed the substantive 

edits that were circulated via email, and made changes accordingly. Members noted that they 

expect a rigorous discussion about this topic at the fall meeting. 

Vote on Excluded Methods Terminology discussion document

Motion to approve the discussion document on Excluded Methods Terminology as amended 

on the call.

Motion by: ZS

Seconded: CW

Additional Discussion: Members confirmed that the NOP was supportive of this topic and 

document prior to its submission for the fall 2014 meeting. 

Y: 6 N: 0 Absent: 1 Abstention: 0 Recusals: 0

Motion carries

• Prevention Guidance for GMOs (FT). The group discussed the document, noting that they did 

not receive many comments. Members discussed whether or not they should submit it for the 

fall 2014 meeting or continue to work on it and submit it for the spring 2015 meeting. One 

member reminded the group that submitting two discussion documents to consecutive 

meetings is a useful way to gather public comment and has been done in the past. The NOP 

recently forwarded a document (NOP 5025: Guidance on Commingling and Contamination 

Prevention in Organic Production and Handling) to the group indicating that while it does not 

address GMOs specifically, there is some overlap with prevention strategies, and the group 

might find it useful. Members opted to hold the discussion document for the spring 2015 

meeting so they can edit and add to it. 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug. CW noted that he has been working with Southern University’s 

policy center.

• Fall Milestones Update: see below
• Next Meeting Dates: see below

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

August 12, 2014 1:00 ET

Discuss Research Priorities suggestions from public comment

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 28- Oct 30
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, September 9, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Vice Chair, Wendy Fulwider (WF), Francis Thicke (FT), Jennifer 

Taylor (JT)

Absent: Zea Sonnabend (ZS), Jay Feldman (JFe), Nick Maravell (NM) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Betsy Rakola (BR)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

08 26 14 Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps TBD

Excluded Methods Terminology 

(formerly Plant Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc 08 26 14 Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT, CW Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Spr 2015
Agenda

• Roll Call (MA)

• Approve August 26, 2014 notes

• Antimicrobial petition for handling (LB)

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (BR) 

• Reference for mitigation measures for residues in compost (JFe)

• Clarification on mastitis & pneumonia priority ranking of LS. 

• Approach(es): Review of approach for compiling public comments

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW)

• Fall Milestones update (MA)

• Spring 2015 workplan

• Review Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Approval of notes from August 26, 2014 - deferred to next call.

• Antimicrobial petition for handling - Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts (LB). The NOP received a 

petition for a new antimicrobial active ingredient to be added to the National List (NL). The 

petition asks that the Board review the inert ingredients as ancillary substances. Some of the 

inert ingredients are on the former EPA list 4 Inerts. The NOP is seeking advice from the 

Materials and Handling Subcommittees about how to proceed. The group will wait until the two 

members who have extensive knowledge in this area (JFe and ZS) can provide comments. The 

NOP will continue to have internal discussions about this, and will provide a summary to the 

Subcommittee. Members also noted that it would be helpful to wait until the post-harvest 

handling guidance is published. 

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (ML) - no updates

• Reference for mitigation measures for residues in compost. The NOP suggested that the MS 

might want to add a citation for the reference to OMRI regarding this topic, but the proposal 

went forth as is in order to meet the posting deadline. 

• Clarification on mastitis & pneumonia priority ranking. The NOP suggested that the MS clarify 

the ranking on Livestock’s list of Research Priorities in the Research Priorities Proposal, but the 

proposal went forth as is in order to meet the posting deadline. 

• Public comments. The link to Regulations.gov, where people can view the public comment, was

sent to the NOSB members. Members will review the comments and plan to discuss and 

summarize on the next call. 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW). CW noted that he is participating on a project through his 

University with organic ranchers and has added organic topics to the list of topics for proposals. 

The group seeks to help limited- resources farmers through organic policy research. 

• Fall milestones update - see table below

• Spring 2015 workplan. MA will send the lists to the group for review and comments. 

• Review Next Meeting Dates. MA will send alternate dates for the Nov 11 which falls on 

Veterans Day. 

• The meeting was adjourned
Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

August 26, 2014 1:00 ET - additional call

Discuss first draft of Terminology for Excluded Methods

Discuss Prevention Strategy Guidance for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Antimicrobial petition for handling – Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts (LB)

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY)

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 28- Oct 30
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Francis Thicke (FT), Jennifer Taylor (JT), Jay Feldman (JFe), Nick 

Maravell (NM), Zea Sonnabend, Vice Chair (ZS)

Absent: Wendy Fulwider (WF) 

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Betsy Rakola (BR), Emily Brown Rosen (EBR)

Work Plan

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

JFe/FT - CS

ZS - HS

08 26 14 Fall 2014

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps TBD

Excluded Methods Terminology 

(formerly Plant Breeding)

ZS Discussion Doc 08 26 14 Fall 2014

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT, CW Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this be placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Spr 2015
Agenda

• Roll Call (MA)

• Approve August 26, 2014 notes

• Approve September 9, 2014 notes

• Antimicrobial petition for handling - Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts 

• Sodium hydroxide petition (LB)

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (BR)\NOSB - Meeting - Louisville Kentucky – Prep

• Discussion Document: Excluded Methods Terminology

• Proposal: Fall 2014 Research Priorities 

• Oral commenters 

• Discuss public comments and how to summarize them

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW)

• Fall Milestones update (MA)

• Spring 2015 workplan

• Review Next Meeting Dates - sub for Nov 11

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes of August 26, 2014 approved with no changes

• Notes of September 9, 2014 approved with no changes

• Antimicrobial petition for handling - Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts (). The petitioner requested 

that the Board review the inert ingredients in this product as ancillary substances of the active 

ingredient. Some of the inert ingredients are on the former EPA list 4 Inerts. The NOP discussed 

this and determined that the active ingredient is eligible for review but the inerts do not meet 

the intent of the NOSB’s policy for review of ancillary substances, in which case the petitioner 

would need to petition the inerts separately. A member noted that the EPA’s Design for the 

Environment (DfE) is looking at antimicrobials and indicated that the inerts should be considered 

under the inert policy and not the ancillary substances policy. Other members and the NOP 

were supportive of this approach of not reviewing inerts in formulated products as ancillary 

substances. NOP will notify the petitioner of the eligibility. 

• Sodium hydroxide petition. NOP received a petition for sodium hydroxide for used on shell 

eggs. The NOP determined that the petition was ineligible because the wrong National List (NL) 

section was identified and sodium hydroxide is already on NL at 205.605.

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (BR) - Betsy Rakola, the Organic Policy Advisor, 

updated the group about various activities such as the ORIE grants which were announced

recently. BR will forward the information about the grants to the MS. Representatives from the 

Rodale Institute are conducting a multi-day climate change walk to raise awareness about the 

role of organic agriculture in mitigating climate change, and will visit with various departments

at the USDA. The USDA Food and Agriculture Proceedings on Organic Research meeting is in DC 

and will host National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grantees. BR will circulate the 

meeting minutes. BR also noted that they are finalizing the work plan for next year and it 

includes more outreach focusing on resources for farmers who are transitioning to organic. 

• Discussion Document: Excluded Methods Terminology. The lead is preparing a summary of the 

public comments to be presented at the fall 2014 meeting. The Board received comments from 

9 organizations and 3 individuals for the Research Priorities, some of which raised additional 

issues or topics. CW will summarize comments.
• Public comment summaries. ZS and JFe will present PowerPoints at the fall meeting.

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW). The Chair applauded Rodale Institute for bringing a positive 

message about Organic Agriculture. A member noted a recent research paper out of England, 

confirming the nutritional benefits of Organic Food. ZS will circulate the paper. 

• Fall Milestones update (MA). See table below

• Spring 2015 workplan. The MS members reviewed the workplan going forward.

• Next meeting dates. The November meeting will be rescheduled for November 25 instead of the 

11th due to Veterans Day. 

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Antimicrobial petition for handling – Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts (LB)

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY) - cancelled

November 25, 2014 1:00 ET

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Fall 2014 Milestones Target date

NOSB Subcommittee requests technical reports for Sunset 2017 substances Jul 15, 2014

NOP - Complete tentative agenda Aug 8, 2014

NOSB - Fall 2014 proposals due to NOP Aug 27, 2014

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Sep 8, 2014

NOSB Subcommittees - submit tentative workplans to NOP Sept 11, 2014

Discuss workplans on ES call Sept 12, 2014

Public comment closes Oct 7, 2014

Workplans finalized on ES call (last call before fall mtg) Oct 17, 2014

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Oct 13, 2014

Fall 2014 NOSB Meeting – Louisville, KY Oct 28- Oct 30
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, November 25, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend, Vice Chair (ZS), Jennifer Taylor (JT), Jay Feldman 

(JFe), Harold Austin (HA), Colehour Bondera (CBo), Francis Thicke (FT)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy Fulwider (WF)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB), Betsy Rakola (BR)

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe/JT & HA Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

ZS - CS

ZS - HS

08 26 14 Fall 2015

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA N/A

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS/JFe Written report: Next steps TBD?

Excluded Methods Terminology ZS Discussion Doc 08 26 14 Spr 2015

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in 

Crops and Handling

FT/ZS Discussion doc. ZS Wrote 

briefing paper to NOP

requesting this is placed on 

the workplan. NOP sent

memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Spr 2015
Agenda

• Roll Call (MA)

• Approve October 14, 2014 notes

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (BR)

• Work agenda for 2015 - transition projects from past members

• Prevention Strategies for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - Discuss having an expert 

panel at Spring 2015 meeting

• Research Priorities

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW)

• Fall Milestones update (MA)

• Review Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes of October 14, 2014 notes approved with no changes

• Organic and sustainable agriculture update (BR) - The Chair noted that updates are provided to 

the MS via the Organic Policy Advisor who participates in the Organic Working Group (OWG) 

meetings weekly. Currently the OWG is seeking to update the training and outreach materials 

(organic literacy 101 and 201, etc). The group received comments from the public about the 

materials indicating that they would like to see information about farming practices, which are 

not currently included. The OWG will be expanding the information to include this topic, and 

hope to have it ready early next year. They are also incorporating updates from the farm bill 

including organic funding opportunities. Additionally, the OWG will be working on a project to 

compile information and materials about organic research funding sources. CW offered to send 

BR some information about the 1890 land grant institutions and current grants that they are 

administering. 

• Work agenda for 2015 

o The Seed Purity project will be removed from the table above, as a piece of it will be 

incorporated into the Prevention Strategies for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling

project.

o Excluded Methods Terminology - The MS will repost the same discussion document for 

the spring 2015 NOSB meeting in an effort to collect more input from the public. 

o Prevention Strategies for Excluded Methods in Crops and Handling - FT will be the lead 

on this project. ZS noted that she would like to include a piece on non-organic feed, and 

will assist FT with this. The members discussed having an expert panel at the spring 

2015 meeting to discuss the seed component part of this topic. MA will discuss this with 

the NOSB Chair and the Deputy Administrator and report back to the Subcommittee. 

The NOP noted that past panels have included 3 or 4 panelists. The group discussed 

several possible panelists and will refine the list. The NOP asked that the MS expand the

bios for each of the people they are considering in an effort to seat a panel 

representative of the community. 

• Research Priorities (RP) - during and after the new-appointees-transition period, the RP liaisons 

will be appointed to network with the other Subcommittees. Jennifer Taylor volunteered to be 

the coordinator for this project. In addition to coordinating with the other Subcommittees, the

lead will be responsible for making sure the RPs are clear and detailed enough for the OWG so 

they are ready to be forwarded to the research community. Members discussed the importance 
of including a report or summary of past research priorities in the document each year, to keep 

the community up to date. 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug (CW) - CW conveyed condolences to JT for a recent death in her 

family. 

• Spring Milestones update (MA) - see below

• Review Next Meeting Dates - December 9 is next call and there are only 4 more calls scheduled 

before the spring 2015 meeting. 

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

September 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Antimicrobial petition for handling – Ancillary Substances vs. Inerts (LB)

October 14, 2014 1:00 ET

November 11 (VETERANS DAY) - moved to November 25

November 25, 2014 1:00 ET

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

Spring 2015 Milestones Target date

NOSB Training Feb 4-5, 2015

NOP - Complete Spring 2015 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 7, 2015

NOSB - Spring 2015 proposals due to NOP Feb 25, 2015

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 9, 2015

Discuss work agendas on ES call Mar 13, 2015

Public comment closes Apr 6, 2015

Work agendas finalized on ES call (last call before spring mtg) Apr 10, 2015

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 13, 2015

Spring 2015 NOSB meeting - La Jolla, CA Week of April 27 - May 1
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 or regulations. 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)

Materials/GMO ad hoc Subcommittee Meeting Notes

Tuesday, December 9, 2014 1:00 pm ET

Attending: Calvin Walker (CW), Chair, Zea Sonnabend, Vice Chair (ZS), Harold Austin (HA), Francis Thicke 

(FT), Jennifer Taylor (JT), Colehour Bondera (CBo)

Absent: Nick Maravell (NM), Wendy Fulwider (WF), Jay Feldman (JFe), Betsy Rakola (BR)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA), Lisa Brines (LB)

Work agenda

Materials Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Research Priorities Proposals

May 2012 Framework Proposal

JFe/JT & HA Subcommittee reps to MS

CW - LS

ZS - CS

ZS - HS

08 26 14 Fall 2015

Petition and TR tracking ZS/LB Ongoing NA NA

GMO Projects Contact Notes Vote Meeting

Seed Purity from GMOs ZS On hold. Part of Seed Purity doc 

will be incorporated into 

“Prevention Strategies for 

Excluded Methods in Crops and 

Handling doc

TBD?

Excluded Methods Terminology ZS Discussion Doc 08 26 14 Spr 2015

Prevention Strategy Guidance 

for Excluded Methods in Crops 

and Handling

FT/ZS Discussion doc. ZS Wrote briefing 

paper to NOP requesting this is 

placed on the work agenda. NOP

sent memo 04 28 14 agreeing to 

addition 

Spr 2015

Other Projects

Project Idea Contact Notes* Vote Meeting
Agenda

• Roll Call (MA)

• Approve November 25, 2014 notes

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update

• Expert panel 1 pager update & finalize the panel list 

• Brief Update on the Prevention Strategies for Excluded Methods Discussion Document 

• Brief Update on Research Priorities

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug

• Spring Fall Milestones Update

• Next Meeting Dates

• Adjourn

Discussion:

• Notes of November 25, 2014 were approved with no changes

• Organic and Sustainable Agriculture Update - No update at this time

• Expert panel on Seed Purity - The MS discussed the idea of having a panel at the spring 2015

NOSB meeting to discuss seed purity as it relates to prevention strategies for excluded methods.

Specifically, how seed purity can prevent GMO contamination. Members have put forth several 

names for potential panelists. ZS will merge the lists, including a short bio for each person, and 

will send it to the NOP for review and response. The goal is to seat 3-4 panelists. 

• Prevention Strategies for Excluded Methods Discussion Document - deferred to next call

• Research Priorities - The lead reminded the group about the research priorities work agenda 

item, and urged people to keep it in mind as they conduct other Board work. She also asked that 

the NOP provide a briefing about the impact of past research priorities. MA will ask BR to discuss 

any outcomes on the next call. 

• Organic Bug or Organic Hug - CW noted that once he rotates off the Board he is interested in 

developing a group to work with public interest groups helping to resolve issues in the organic 

community, or between organic and conventional agriculture. He is especially interested in 

beginning with his local, rural community. 

• Spring Fall Milestones Update - See table below. The NOP noted that there are only two more 

MS meetings before the proposal deadline. 

• Next Meeting Dates - See list below

• The meeting was adjourned.

Previous MS Notes

Future Call Schedule:

November 25, 2014 1:00 ET

December 9, 2014 1:00 ET

January 13, 2015 1:00 ET

February 10, 2015 1:00 ET

March 10, 2015 1:00 ET

April 14, 2015 1:00 ET

Spring 2015 Milestones Target date
NOSB Training Feb 4-5, 2015

NOP - Complete Spring 2015 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Feb 7, 2015

NOSB - Spring 2015 proposals due to NOP Feb 25, 2015

NOP - Post proposals, Publish FRN, Open public comment Mar 9, 2015

Discuss work agendas on ES call Mar 13, 2015

Public comment closes Apr 6, 2015

Work agendas finalized on ES call (last call before spring mtg) Apr 10, 2015

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB Apr 13, 2015

Spring 2015 NOSB meeting - La Jolla, CA Week of April 27 - 30