BREAKING NEWS:
Comments Sought (by Feb. 16, 2010) on Environmental Impact Statement for GMO Alfalfa
The USDA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement on RR Alfalfa grossly underestimates the significance of the impacts of contamination on organics, natural and other GMO-free markets. “There are issues at hand that can impact our lives in a negative way unless we make our collective voices heard,” says Ole Norgaard, Board Chair of the Montana Organic Association. “I encourage all to speak out by sending in their comments to the USDA on these issues.” Please read the relevant article here and follow the instructions on how to send in the suggested comment, or your own specific comments, by February 16, 2010.

News:
The U.S. Supreme Court decided to hear a first-time case about the risks of genetically engineered crops. Named Monsanto v. Geertson Seed Farms, No. 09-475, the case before the high court will be yet another step in an ongoing battle waged by the Center for Food Safety to protect consumers and the environment from potentially harmful effects of genetically engineered (GE) crops. Read more here.

News:
Comments Sought on the Disclosure of Inert Ingredients in Pesticides
On December 23, 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a federal register notice seeking public comments on the disclosure of inert ingredients in pesticides. MOA supports full disclosure of all inert ingredients to the purchaser at the point of sale. Public comments on the notice are due no later than February 22, 2010. Read more here about the issue and how to send in your comments.

NOSB Update
Read Barry Flamm's NOSB Update for November 2009 here.
You can also see a TV interview with Barry, Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 6:30 PM , on "Good Conversations," KSKC-TV PBS.

Upcoming Events
Lots of great events coming your way. Visit our Events page here.

Calling All Up-and-Coming Farmers
Job opening at MSU's Towne's Harvest Garden

Online Video of the Week
Fair Food: Field to Table
Short of a series on farm workers and labor rights.


40 Farmers Under 40, by Matt Hickman, Mother Nature Network, July 21, 2009. Featuring MOA Members Jacob and Courtney Cowgill (#18 & 19) of Prairie Heritage Farm, Conrad, MT

Meet the new crop of American farmers -- young and energetic idealists who are bringing local, sustainable food back to the table. They're (mostly) urban, they hold advanced degrees and they're often female. They sprout up in not-so-bucolic places like, Brooklyn, Oakland, Atlanta and Indianapolis, (or Montana!) and they sometimes work as educators, eco-entrepreneurs, yogis, journalists, filmmakers, activists and doting parents on the side. They're passionate and adventurous. And most notably, they're focused on sustainability and community building. More.




A Bountiful Season, But it's Not Over
The growing season might be over, but MOA is busy with event planning, publication production, web development and organizational planning for 2010. Please bookmark this site and visit again soon for updated information.

We look forward to serving you and welcome any comments, suggestions or ideas on how to make MOA a more effective organization for you.