• The Organic Consumers Association is a website dedicated to the camaign for health, justice, and sustainability.  Find updates on what is happening with regards to organic standards, GMO's, and other issues concerning organic and local agriculture. 
• The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is an organization conducting research on organic farming in the United States.  Use them also for updates on organic policy making! 
• The Organic Trade Association is a member based business asssociation for the organic industry in North America.  It's mission is to promote and protect organic trade to benefit the environment, farmers, the public, and the economy.
• The National Campaign for Sustainable Agriculture is a diverse nationwide partnership of individuals and organizations cultivating grassroots efforts to engage in policy development processes that result in food and agricultural systems and rural communities that are healthy, environmentally sound, profitable, humane, and just.
• GM Watch is an organization reporting on the growing  concerns surrounding genetically modified organisms.  They have a particular focus on exposing the hype, propaganda, and spins used to promote this technology.

Organic in Michigan

Michigan Organic Products Act (Act 316 of 2000).

·           This Michigan law is under consideration for approval by the USDA as a state organic program.  It is not a certification program, but does provide for regulatory oversight and enforcement, as well as policy development through the Michigan Organic Advisory Committee.

·           The law requires that organic farmers, processors and certifying agencies register in the state.  A list of registered farmers and processors is available on the Michigan Department of Agriculture website.

·           Questions about the law? Contact Colleen Collier, Michigan Department of Agriculture, 517-373-0280, or visit www.michigan.gov/mda/ (click on Keywords and enter ‘organic’)

Michigan Legislature—House Agriculture Committee

·           We all need to do more to raise awareness among Michigan lawmakers about the value, importance and needs of organic agriculture.   Consider writing a letter, making a phone call or meeting with your legislator to discuss your support of organics.   Find the name and contact information for your legislator at senate.michigan.gov or house.michigan.gov. 

·           As of January 2005, these Representatives were appointed to the Agriculture House Standing Committee, the Committee likely to address pending legislation that affects farming in Michigan:  Neal Nitz—Chair; Richard Ball—Vice Chair; Gary Newell; Tom Casperson, Joe Hune, John Stahl, John Proos; Jeff Mayes—Vice Chair; Kathleen Law, Joel Sheltrown, Dudley Spade.  For information about this Committee and its meeting schedule, visit http://house.michigan.gov/committeeinfo.asp?lstcommittees=agriculture&submit=Go

·           As of January 2005, these are the current members of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Tourism Standing Committee: Senators Gerald Van Woerkom--Chair, Judson Gilbert—Vice Chair, Ron Jelinek, Liz Brater (MVC), and Samuel Thomas.