National Sustainable Agriculture Standard Committee Holds Quarterly Meeting; Spring 2012 Annual Meeting Dates Announced

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Madison, WI – January 25, 2012 – On January 17 Leonardo Academy hosted, by webinar, the quarterly meeting of the multi-stakeholder Standard Committee that is developing the Sustainable Agriculture Standard (LEO-4000). The Standard Committee and subcommittees are making good progress on developing a draft of this standard for review at the annual in-person Standard Committee meeting in April 2012.

Annual Meeting Announced The Committee Chair, Brian McElroy of Driscolls Strawberry Associates, and Leonardo Academy President Michael Arny were pleased to announce the dates of the Annual Standard Committee Meeting for April 24-25, 2012. The committee will convene in Washington, D.C. at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review the draft work from the subcommittees.  All stakeholders and new interested persons were encouraged to attend all or part of this pivotal Standard Committee meeting. Those who are not yet registered observers of the LEO-4000 process and would like to attend the April meeting are encouraged to apply now.   Subcommittee Activity Reports Results The Co-Chairs reported on the great progress made since the last meeting in October and presented the draft standard materials compiled by the subcommittees that are working on the development of Social, Economic and Environmental sustainability criteria. The materials were discussed and feedback was provided to guide and direct the subcommittees in their ongoing editing process. The committee leadership expressed satisfaction with the direction and amount of work product presented. The subcommittees reported plans to set up further intensified working groups through the spring to continue building on the progress already made.     Opportunities to Participate in Developing the Sustainable Agriculture Standard There are currently openings for the subcommittees and the voting Standard Committee. Those who are interested can participate at the subcommittee and standard committee levels. Leonardo Academy is seeking producers, manufacturers, retailers, consumers and end-user representatives to participate while there is still time to participate in writing and reviewing the draft standard. To receive an application for membership on the Standard Committee, a subcommittee, or for observer status, contact Jennifer Trucks at Leonardo Academy:  jennifer@leonardoacademy.org (608) 280-0255, or visit http://www.sustainableagstandard.org/   The Standards Committee There are 60 seats on the Standards Committee to accommodate a broad range of perspectives. The Standards Committee is working to develop a national standard for sustainable agriculture under the rules of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The Standards Committee consists of a skilled, diverse membership representing a broad range of perspectives from across all areas of agriculture, including commodity and specialty crop producers; agricultural product processors and distributors; food retailers; environmental, labor, and development organizations; NGOs; trade associations; government representatives; academics; regulators and certifiers.   Donations The development of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard is funded solely through donations and grants. Leonardo Academy needs your support to develop the draft standard and welcomes donations to support this vital development process to improve social, economic and environmental sustainability in U.S. agriculture.   To make a tax deductible donation to support the development process, go to http://www.leonardoacademy.org/programs/standards/agstandard/donate.html.   LEO20495