Jeff Moyer, farm director of the Rodale Institute, has been elected as the 2009 chair of U.S. Department of Agriculture?s National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The board elected Moyer at its meeting last week in Washington, D.C., elevating him from the 2008 vice-chair role. His five-year board term began three years ago.

?This is a critical time for the organic movement and industry as forces try to dilute its hard-fought integrity with marketing terms such as ?sustainable? and ?natural,?? said Moyer, who has worked at Rodale Institute for more than 33 years. ?It?s critical that we protect the standards and also continue to educate the public about the value of the ?USDA Organic? seal.?

Tim LaSalle, CEO of the Rodale Institute, emphasized the importance of organic as a solution to many of the key issues of our time, including global warming, human health challenges and worldwide hunger. ?Organic agriculture provides critical human and ecological health benefits, so any erosion in standards is to steal from not only our own health but that of our children. We are pleased to know Jeff Moyer will lead this important board in assuring that the standards are maintained.?

The NOSB is the U.S. organic community?s high-profile and all-volunteer advisory body to the National Organic Program (NOP), which sets USDA organic policy as part of the Agricultural Marketing Service. The board receives robust levels of comment from a broad range of constituent organic groups and individuals at and between its multi-day meetings held several times per year.

The NOSB is the USDA?s only advisory group with statutory power mandating its advisory involvement. It functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, requiring it to have a high level of interaction and transparency. The board provides guidance on developing standards for substances and practices to be used in certified organic production, handling and processing.

?I value Jeff?s wealth of experience in organic agriculture and regulation. Furthermore I believe Jeff's unique leadership skills, along with his management and technical background, are what the Board requires to continue providing effective and timely results for the benefit of the organic community,? said Rigoberto Delgado, who steps down as NOSB chair on January 20, 2009. ?I am pleased to say that Jeff's work with the Board has reflected his strong commitment to the principles and integrity of organic agriculture, and mirrors the values of the organization which he represents, the Rodale Institute.?

Moyer manages the 333-acre Rodale Institute research farm.?He has refined the farm's cover cropping and crop-rotation systems, and was instrumental in developing its no-till roller/crimper, a tool which makes possible organic no-till crop farming.

He has helped countless farmers make the transition from conventional, chemical-based farming to organic or biologically sustainable methods. Throughout his national and international agricultural leadership, Moyer has brought a practical farmer?s perspective and approach to developing the future of organic agriculture.

He holds a farmer/grower seat on the board, and sits on the crops, livestock, materials and executive committees. He also worked with the aquaculture group which issued the NOSB?s first proposed rules for fish production at last week?s session. The current board is comprised of four farmers/growers, two handlers/processors, one retailer, one scientist, three consumer/public interest advocates, three environmentalists and one USDA accredited certifying agent (who sits on various committees).

Preparing to lead the board as it grapples with a new round of important issues?from creating guidance documents on biodiversity, to the definitions of what is considered ?agricultural? or ?non-agricultural? as substances for food handling or processing?Moyer affirmed what he said after that first year: ?We do our best to protect the integrity of the organic industry but still allow for the expansion of the fullest range of products as organic continues to go mainstream.?

Natural Organics Program

Rodale Institute