MADISON – Become engaged in the organic industry conversation by attending the Wisconsin Organic Advisory Council meeting on Monday, October 29. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), 2811 Agriculture Drive, Madison from 9:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

In addition to time for public comment, the agenda includes reports from agency partners and the National Agricultural Statistics Service on a newly released 2011 Certified Organic Production Survey. Among the findings in that survey is the fact that Wisconsin is a national leader in organic field crops acreage with more than 110,000 acres harvested in 2011.

Members will also discuss Council priorities for 2012 and begin planning priorities for 2013. 2012 priorities have included the Farm Bill, genetically modified organisms and the federal food safety law. The Council will hear an update on National Organic Standards Board activities and identify issues of importance to Wisconsin organic farmers and processors.

The Organic Advisory Council promotes Wisconsin’s national leadership in organic agriculture by offering advisement on critical organic issues. The twelve member Council supports organic production, processing and purchasing opportunities for Wisconsin farmers, processors and consumers.

For more information, contact Laura Paine, DATCP’s Organic and Grazing Specialist, at 608-224-5120 or laura.paine@wi.gov. Connect with DATCP on Twitter at twitter.com/widatcp or Facebook at facebook.com/widatcp.

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