National strategy for hiring organic inspectors, reviewers up for discussion
Jennifer Tucker.
Photo: USDA/Bob Nichols.
“Engaging in near-term and long-term efforts to develop, recruit, and retain a strong community of well-trained and well-qualified inspectors and reviewers is essential for organic integrity,” NOP wrote in one of its Organic Insider newsletters.
Deputy Administrator of the National Organic Program Jennifer Tucker wrote a memo that she hoped to “initiate a dialogue within the organic community about the broad set of human capital dimensions that may support the ongoing development of a robust and well-supported pipeline of organic professionals over time.”
Some of the questions for the community to consider could include, she said:
- “What services are most needed by independent inspectors or reviewers in the organic community that are not currently provided by an existing entity?
- “What might some options for providing these services be? What type of organization(s) may be able to help?
- “In addition to current resources, what other continuous learning and training and development opportunities are needed to support and retain well-qualified organic inspectors and reviewers?
- “How could academic institutions, particularly those with specialized programs in organic and/or sustainable agriculture, be engaged in providing ongoing educational resources and/or community support for organic inspectors and reviewers?
- “How could the community overall support the retention of well-qualified professionals in the organic community, even if they move between organizations?”
https://organicgrower.info/article/usda-proposed-rule-aims-to-reduce-fraud-in-organic-program/
https://organicgrower.info/article/nop-brainstorms-with-growers-for-standards-enforcement/