Executive Director's Report

By Cori Skolaski, Executive Director

Hello Friends,

By the time you read this, you will have submitted your annual update paperwork and fees, due February 1 and April 1, respectively. As always, the next step in your certification process includes an initial review by a MOSA Certification Specialist, followed by your annual inspection. By moving up the submission deadline, we can review your plan and assign inspectors sooner - helping prioritize operations with time-sensitive needs, such as new products, new land, facilities, or services. This adjustment accelerates the certification process, getting your certificate to you faster!

This year has brought uncertainty. Rapid developments about federal funding freezes, and the potential for deep staff cuts at the USDA National Organic Program create challenges for organic farmers, researchers, and programs that sustain our farm and food system that threaten organic agriculture. Farmers, businesses, and rural communities are in limbo as the USDA withholds payments on signed contracts and grants. This isn’t just bureaucratic red tape—it’s financial strain, stalled projects, and uncertainty for those who feed our nation.

Now is the time to take action! Contact your members of Congress and urge them to support strong enforcement, funding, and resources for organic farmers and businesses. You can find their contact information at house.gov and senate.gov. Your voice matters!

We will keep our website, MosaOrganic.org, updated with any news or information.

As always, if you have any questions or comments about anything in this newsletter – or about MOSA – 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