Executive Director's Report
Executive Director's Report
By Cori Skolaski, Executive Director
The year is speeding by, and at MOSA we’re in the thick of inspections and reviews. Thank you for accommodating our dead line. We made this change in part to help us assign inspections earlier in the year. With over 50 contract inspectors, many of whom work for multiple certifiers, it’s important to schedule promptly.
You’ve probably noticed the feedback question in your annual update paper work. If you responded—thank you! Out of 1,721 survey responses, the most common concerns were about fees and paperwork. We hear you.
I wish we could do more to reduce paperwork; we understand and share your frustration. It seems like nothing about organic certification is ever simplified, and the 2023 Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) has increased requirements for everyone. We review our forms annually - clarifying/simplifying questions, combining or removing questions, changing their format (check boxes vs text), etc. In this year’s Client Survey responses, we received fantastic feedback about the three-ring binder we can provide for your paperwork. If you haven’t received one, call or email us to request one - they are, as one client said, “a lifesaver.” Keeping it updated can make inspections and next year’s annual update much smoother.
Regarding fees, we do everything we can to keep the cost affordable. Our rates haven’t increased since 2022 and we don’t have plans to raise them in 2026, either. As we expected, the implementation of SOE had a significant impact on our work. We knew the rule was coming, we saw the draft versions, we provided feedback and multiple comments to the NOSB and NOP directly addressing our concern about the monetary impact and paperwork burden, and we realized that the rule was going to be challenging for us to comply without a fee increase to support the extra compliance work it took.To help offset certification costs, I urge you to apply for Cost Share Reimbursement if it becomes available again. It reimburses up to $750 of the cost of certification and inspection per scope. Unfortunately, funding was eliminated from the 2026 Farm Bill extension so its future is uncertain. Contact your members of Congress to advocate for support of funding and resources for organic farmers and businesses. You can find their contact in formation at house.gov and senate.gov. Your voice matters!
Along with the positive feedback on the Client Survey regarding the binders, we received many compliments and kudos about our staff and customer service. We strive to provide excellent customer service, and it’s heartening to have that recognized. Thank you for that!
As always, if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at cori@mosaorganic.org or 844-637-2526.
Thank you for reading, and thanks for your continued commitment to organic integrity.
Warmly,
Cori Skolaski