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

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

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

and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 3:00 pm ET

Present: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Nate Powell-Palm (NPP) -

observer

Absent: Rick Greenwood (RG)

Staff: Andrea Holm (AH)

Agenda

• November 9, 2021 notes

• PPM Public comment process - Proposal (JD) - Discuss

• Exit surveys (all) - Discuss

• PPM Hybrid meetings (all) - Discuss

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• November 9, 2021 notes were accepted as written

• PPM Public comment process - Proposal (JD) - The lead gave an overview of the current PPM format 

and presented a format revision proposal. Members discussed the proposed revisions. The lead will 

continue to work on the proposed revisions.

• Exit surveys (all) - The PDS Chair gave an overview of feedback received so far on the drafted exit survey 

questions. Members discussed sending the draft questions to the outgoing NOSB members, requesting 

that they complete some, or all, of the questions, and for feedback on the questions and survey process. 

Members assigned outgoing NOSB members to PDS members.

• PPM: Hybrid meetings (all) - Members discussed the possibility of the NOP live-streaming future NOSB 

meetings. 

• Additional Items

o Fall 2021 Discussion Document on Oral and Written Comment Submissions (JD) - The lead 

expressed their appreciation for content of submitted public comments and commented on 

their community alignment.

o Spring 2022 NOSB Meeting (SE) - Emeritus NOSB Chair outlined the typical schedule of events at 

an NOSB meeting as done prior to the start of the pandemic, compared to the virtual meetings 

conducted in 2020 and 2021.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future call schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT, except where noted)

November 9, 2021

Informal exit interview assignments - Discuss

PPM Public comment process - Discuss

PPM Hybrid meetings - Board attendance in-person/virtual - Discuss

Additional Items

Work Agenda - Additional items due 1.6.22

December 14, 2021

PPM Public comment process - Proposal (JD) - Discuss proposal

Exit surveys

PPM Hybrid meetings
January 11, 2022

PPM Public comment process - Proposal (JD) - Discuss proposal

Exit surveys

February 08, 2022

March 08, 2022

April 12, 2022

May 10, 2022

June 14, 2022

July 12, 2022

August 09, 2022

September 13, 2022

October 11, 2022

November 08, 2022

December 13, 2022

Work Agenda 

*Highlight indicates discussion. *Highlight indicates action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion

and/or vote.

Milestones 

Project Contact Doc Type Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

Meeting 

Policy & Procedure Manual (PPM)

Update: Public comment process

JD Proposal Revisions/Updates as needed 11.09.21

12.14.21

01.11.22

Spr 2022

Policy & Procedure Manual (PPM)

Update: Hybrid meetings

ALL TBD 12.14.21, PDS put On Hold. 11.09.21

12.14.21

TBD

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL NA This is an informal PDS 

project

11.09.21

12.14.21

01.11.22

NA

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

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

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

New NOSB member training TBD

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

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

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

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

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

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

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

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

and status of substances used in organic production and handling.

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 3:00 pm ET

Present: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Jerry D’Amore (JD); Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: Rick Greenwood (RG)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA); Andrea Holm (AH)

Agenda

• September 14th notes

• Informal Exit Interview assignments

• DD Public comment process

• Board attendance in-person/virtual

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• September 14th, 2021 notes were accepted via email

• Informal exit interview assignments - Members discussed questions for outgoing member interviews. 

PDS would like to pilot the current list of questions with outgoing NOSB members and collect their 

feedback. After the pilot test, PDS will edit and refine the questions, and eventually incorporate exit 

interviews into the NOSB process each year. Members discussed timing of the interviews (i.e., before or 

after a member’s term is up), whether the surveys should remain anonymous, if the answers should be 

aggregated, how the information will be collected and sent, and if they should interview previous NOSB 

members.

• Public comment process - PDS intends to work on updates to the PPM, specifically to align the guidance 

for the oral and written public comment process. The lead will bring a draft proposal to next PDS call.

• Hybrid meetings - Board attendance in-person/virtual - Members discussed hybrid/virtual meetings 

and whether NOSB members should be required to attend in person if the meeting is in person.

Members also discussed voting at a virtual meeting and what format would be acceptable. PDS will 

discuss this topic again on the next call. 

• Additional Items 

o Work Agenda - Drafts for PDS work agenda items are due January 6 to provide time for 

feedback and revisions to meet February 16 deadline.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

Future Call Schedule (2nd Tuesday 3:00 PM ET | 12:00 PM PT, except where noted)

October 12, 2021 - cancelled

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021

Public comment process

Exit surveys

Hybrid meetings

January 11, 2022

February 08, 2022

March 08, 2022
April 12, 2022

May 10, 2022

June 14, 2022

July 12, 2022

August 09, 2022

September 13, 2022

October 11, 2022

November 08, 2022

December 13, 2022

Work Agenda 

Other Projects

*Highlight indicates committee action needed. *Highlight indicates review completion and/or vote

Milestones 

Project Contact Notes* 

Scheduled,

Discussed, 

Voted

Target 

Meeting 

Review of Policy & 

Procedure Manual 

(PPM): Public comment

process proposal

JD Revisions/Updates as needed 11.09.21

12.14.21

Spr 2022

Hybrid meetings ALL 11.09.21

12.14.21

Spr 2022

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL 11.09.21

12.14.21

NA

Spring 2022 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

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

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

New NOSB member training TBD

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

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2022

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2022

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

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 21, 2022

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

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

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, September 14, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore (JD)

Absent: Rick Greenwood (RG), Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review August 10 notes

• Exit Interviews

• DD Public comment process

• Board attendance in-person/virtual

• Member Guide Review

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• August 10 notes were accepted as written. 

• Exit Interviews. Members discussed the possibility of conducting informal exit interviews for 

outgoing members. The PDS would like to pilot test the process this winter. The PDS Chair will 

compile a list of possible questions and send it to the ither Board members for feedback. The 

Chair will include this as part of her report to the Exec committee during the September call. 

• Public comment process. The PDS cancelled the October meeting, and the Chair feels it’s 

important to discuss the document and public comment during the Board meeting and not 

before. 

• Board attendance in-person/virtual. The PDS discussed a hybrid model of meeting attendance 

and will continue these discussions at a later date. 

• Member Guide Review. Deferred

• Additional Items. None

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

August 10, 2021

Public comment process discussion document. Discuss/Vote 

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021 - cancelled

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): Public comment

process discussion document

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 5.11.21

6.8.21

7.13.21

8.10.21

Fall 2021

Hybrid meetings ALL 9.14.21 Spring 

2022

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL 9.14.21 NA

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 13 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes 

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD); Sue Baird - observer

Absent: Rick Greenwood (RG)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review July 13 notes

• Public comment process discussion document. Discuss/Vote 

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• July 13 notes were accepted as written

• Public comment process discussion document. The members discussed the draft document, 

made some real-time edits, and moved to a vote. 

Motion to accept the discussion document on the public comment process 

Motion by: JD

Seconded by: NPP 

Yes: 4 No: 0 Abstain: 0 Absent: 1 Recuse: 0 

 

• Additional Items. The PDS Chair cancelled the October call.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

Public comment process discussion document. Discuss/Vote 

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021 - cancelled

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): Public comment

process discussion document

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 5.11.21

6.8.21

7.13.21

8.10.21

Fall 2021

NOSB attendance - in person or 

virtual hybrid

ALL TBD Spring 

2022

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL TBD NA

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 13 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, July 13, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD); Rick Greenwood (RG)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review June 8 notes

• PPM updates: Public comment process

• Alternate Board member question

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• June 8 notes were accepted as written with no modifications. 

• PPM updates: Public comment process. The group discussed the 3rd iteration of the draft 

document and made some changes. The lead will revise the document and recirculate it for 

further discussion and vote on the next PDS call. 

• *Note from NOP re: Alternate Board member question. NOP provided the following update from 

the USDA Committee Management Officer (CMO) - “The National Organic Standard Board is a 

statutory committee and its membership designations are clearly defined in the laws that govern 

the committee [OFPA]. Therefore, adding additional memberships such as alternates may not be 

considered for the Board.”

• Additional Items.

o Meeting attendance. The PDS discussed a potential work agenda item addressing 

meeting attendance by NOSB members given virtual capabilities. The NOP will check with 

other Advisory Committees to see if there are procedures in place. The PDS is considering 

a discussion document for Spring 2022.

o Exit surveys. The PDS will not work on a formal project on exit surveys.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

Public comment process discussion document. Discuss/Vote 

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): Public comment

process discussion document

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 5.11.21

6.8.21

7.13.21

8.10.21

Fall 2021

NOSB attendance - in person or 

virtual hybrid

ALL TBD Spring 

2022

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL TBD NA

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes 

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore (JD); Rick Greenwood (RG)

Absent: Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review May 11 notes

• PPM updates: Public comment process

• Alternate Board member question

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion 

• May 11 notes were accepted as written. 

• PPM updates: Public comment process. The PDS members discussed various aspects of the 

current public comment process and the lead will make some edits to the draft document based 

on the conversation. The PDS will discuss this further during the next call and anticipates posting a 

discussion document for the Fall 2021 NOSB meeting. 

• Alternate Board members. During a previous conversation, a member mentioned that 

Committees often have members-at-large, or alternates, which would provide a training 

opportunity for people who may want to apply, but who are not sure. NOP will follow up with the 

Committee Management Officer about this. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): Public comment

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 5.11.21 Fall 2021
process 6.8.21

7.13.21

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL TBD NA

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Jun 3, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD); Rick Greenwood (RG)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review April 13 notes

• PPM updates: Public comment process

• Member Guide Review

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• April 13 notes were accepted as written.

• PPM updates: Public comment process.

o The group discussed aspects of the public comment process, both written and oral, to 

include in a discussion document for the Fall NOSB meeting. The NOSB seeks to ensure

the process is fair and equitable to all commenters. 

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): Public comment

process

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 5.11.21

6.8.21

Fall 2021

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed NA NA

Exit surveys ALL TBD NA

Fall 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment ~May 14, 2021

NOSB Request for TRs for 2024 sunset materials Jun 18, 2021

NOP - Draft Fall 2020 NOSB meeting tentative agenda Jul 30, 2021

NOSB - Fall 2021 proposals due to NOP Aug 13, 2021

NOP - Post proposals On or before Sep 1, 2021

Discuss/finalize work agendas on ES call Sep 21, 2021

Public comment closes Sep 30, 2021

NOP - Send compiled public comments to NOSB ~Oct 4, 2021

Public comment webinars Oct 12 & 14, 2021

Fall 2021 NOSB meeting - Sacramento, CA Oct 19 - 21, 2021
Note: Subcommittee notes may include preliminary discussions regarding substances considered for addition to or removal from the National 

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, April 13, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE); Jerry D’Amore 

(JD); Rick Greenwood (RG)

Absent: None

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Public Comment process discussion document

o Informal work agenda approval

o Next steps

• Informal Exit Survey

• Member Guide Review

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• Public Comment process discussion document. The PDS intends on working on a discussion 

document for the Fall meeting about the public comment process. The PDS is seeking to make the 

comment process fair for all stakeholders.

• Informal Exit Survey. The PDS is interested in an exit survey for outgoing NOSB members. This 

idea is in early development.

• Member Guide Review. The PDS will assist the NOP in updating the member guide as needed, to 

make the document readable and usable by Board members.

• NOSB recommendations. NOP addressed the list of outstanding NOSB recommendations during 

the last Executive call, March 16. A member noted that there is a community effort by a trade 

organization suggesting ways to advance some of the previous NOSB recommendations.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

February 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

PPM updates - Comment process

Member guide

Exit Survey

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 
Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): 

Public comment process

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 01.12.21

2.9.21

TBD

Update to member guide MA/ALL Update as needed 4.13.21 NA

Exit surveys ALL TBD NA

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

NOP - Publish FRN, Open public comment Feb 18, 2021

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

New NOSB member training Feb 3 - 5, 2021

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

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 5, 2021

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

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

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

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

Attendees: Mindee Jeffery (MJ), Chair; Nate Powell-Palm (NPP), Vice Chair; Steve Ela (SE)

Absent: Jerry D’Amore (JD); Rick Greenwood (RG)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review January 12 Notes

• Public comment process - Work agenda request status

• Exit survey - Follow up info from NOP

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• January 12 notes were accepted as written.

• Public comment process. The PDS will submit a work agenda request regarding the public 

comment process to the Executive Committee for discussion on the February 16 Exec call.

• Exit surveys. The PDS is interested in using exit surveys to gather feedback from outgoing 

members about their experience on the Board. This feedback could be used to improve Board 

operations, processes, training, as well as team management. The NOP sent an evaluation form 

used for training follow up for reference. 

• NOP’s library of recommendations. The PDS discussed the outstanding NOSB recommendations. 

The intention is to learn the impediments to implementation and perhaps determine if any of the 

projects can be moved forward. 

• Member guide updates. The PDS Chair tasked the group with rereading the member guide to 

propose possible updates.

• Additional items. The PDS members discussed possible topics for the follow up to training on 

March 11. These included document management and comment organization. The NOSB Officers 

will develop additional ideas. 

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

January 12, 2021

February 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

PPM updates - Comment process

Member guide

Exit Survey

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021
October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): 

Public comment process

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 01.12.21

2.9.21

TBD

Update to member guide

Exit surveys

MA

ALL 

Update as needed 3.9.21 NA

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

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

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

New NOSB member training TBD

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

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

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

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

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

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

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

substances used in organic production and handling.

National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)

Policy Development Subcommittee (PDS) Notes

Tuesday, January 12, 2021 3:00 pm ET 

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

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

Absent: Jesse Buie (JB)

Staff: Michelle Arsenault (MA)

Agenda

• Review December 8 Notes

• Review of Policy & Procedure Manual (PPM)

o Public comments

• Member Guide

• New Member Training

o Scheduling Additional Exercises

• Research NOSB Recommendations List

o National List (Program)

o Stakeholder perceptions

• Additional Items 

• Adjourn

Discussion

• December 8 notes were accepted as written. 

• Review of Policy & Procedure Manual (PPM)

o Public comments. The NOSB intends on submitting a request to the Executive team to add 

this project to the work agenda as a discussion document. The PDS is interested in 

assessing the current comment process and concerns about fairness. The NOP will draft a 

document with the current process and send it to the lead for review. 

• Member Guide. The member guide updates made by the PDS last year were finalized by the NOP 

and will be sent to the new members for the upcoming training in February. NOP will also 

distribute the document to current members.

• New Member Training. The group discussed scheduling an additional meeting a couple of weeks 

after the new member training to answer questions, and perhaps work through some additional 

training exercises. NOP will schedule a meeting in early-to-mid March.

• NOSB Recommendations List. The PDS is interested in reviewing the list of previous NOSB 

recommendations that have not been implemented, to better understand the reasons they were 

not completed. There have been inquiries from stakeholders about these items. The NOSB 

Officers will discuss this further.

• Additional Items. None.

• The meeting was adjourned

Previous PDS Notes

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

December 8, 2020

January 12, 2021

February 9, 2021
March 9, 2021

Member guide

April 13, 2021

May 11, 2021

June 8, 2021

July 13, 2021

August 10, 2021

September 14, 2021

October 12, 2021

November 9, 2021

December 14, 2021 

Work agenda 

Project Contact Status Discussed

Vote

Target 

Meeting

Review of Policy & Procedure 

Manual (PPM): 

Public comment process

ALL Revisions/Updates as needed 01.12.21

2.9.21

TBD

Update to member guide MA Update as needed NA

Spring 2021 Milestones Target dates (tentative)

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

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

New NOSB member training TBD

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

NOP - Post proposals Mar 3, 2021

Public comment closes Apr 1, 2021

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

Public comment webinars Apr 20 & 22, 2021

Spring 2021 NOSB meeting - Crystal City, VA Apr 28 - 30, 2021