On October 29-30, 2007, the Leonardo Academy and Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) co-hosted a meeting to start soliciting stakeholder input on SCS-drafted language to create a national standard for producers and handlers (including retailers) who want to make a claim of engaging in sustainable agriculture (includes ALL crops, including greenhouse and nursery crops) practices.

The intent of SCS is to get these draft standards adopted by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) no later than April 2010. While OFA, in conjunction with other national associations, will make every effort to represent your interests in these discussions, because these standards may have a direct impact on how you operate in the future, it is vital that our entire community be aware and directly engaged to ensure that appropriate positions are taken.

If you would like to be added to the SCS/Leonardo Academy contact list for their updates, please contact Amanda Raster via email at amanda@leonardoacademy.org.

Information
Application standards development committee and subcommittees 
Deadline extended to July 7, 2008

Current list of stakeholders that have submitted committee and subcommitte applications

Current Draft of National Standard

Review of the Draft Standard - Development, purpose, structure, and requirements 

Background - Why a standard, why ANSI, and other background info

Timeline - For establishing the standard

Press Release - Launching the standard setting process

Leonardo Academy web site

Scientific Certification Systems web site

 

 

Don't Just Break the Rules... Change Them! Jonathan Bardzik

What is the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative? Bob Dolibois

Growing Ideas by P. Allen Hammer

Today's Industry Gatekeepers by Visions Group

 

What's This "Green" Thing? by Chris Beytes

ANLA: Bob's View - A Sustainable Standard by Bob Dolibois

A Fad with Staying Power by Jonathan Bardzik

Sustainable...Green...Eco Friendly...Organic... How Do We Fit In? by Brian Krug

 

Where Green and Sustainable Meet by Jennifer Duffield White

The Eco Label Scene by Jennifer Duffield White and Marie-Francoise Petitjean

Driving Toward Change By Paige Worthy

 

Teleconferences & Meetings

Upcoming

September 10, 2008 Standards Committee Kick-Off Meeting details TBA

Past

Friday, Feb. 29, 2008  documents from meeting Monday, Feb. 4, 2008  documents from teleconference Monday, Jan. 7, 2008  documents from teleconference Monday, Jan. 7, 2008  documents from teleconference Monday, Dec. 3, 2007  documents from teleconference

 

American National Standards Institute 
The ANSI Process - Meetings, Committees, Voting, Timeline

The ANSI Process - Process of Developing the Sustainable Ag Standard

ANSI Website