The USDA National Organic Program has recognized the work of accredited organic certifiers with awards for extraordinary support of the National Organic Standards.

The 2022-23 season has been more difficult than most, but the Rio Rico, Ariz.-based company is leaning on strong relationships with its growers and a diversified customer base, says CEO Miguel A. Suarez.

The Leamington, Ontario-based company has increased its owned acreage with a 40-acre expansion that will bring organic tomatoes and cucumbers to market in early spring, increasing growing area at the facility to 115 acres.

Potato retail sales increased in dollar sales by 17.2% but decreased in volume sales by 1.3% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared with the same period the previous year.

The funding will allow OmniVis to establish a field pilot for the iSpyDx, a hand-held device that rapidly detects pathogens in food, agriculture and water samples.

Industry groups are expressing support for the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance’s priorities for the 2023 farm bill.