New rules seen as a boost for organic foods

This week the federal government issued national standards for organic foods, and a key Iowa official expects the move to increase consumer purchases of organically grown fruits and vegetables. Maury Wills is the manager of the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s “organic” program.Under the new nationwide rules, “organically grown” produce must be raised on land that’s been free of mot fertilizers and pesticides for three years. Eight hundred Iowa farmers have reached or will soon gain that certification. Wills says the new, nationwide rules are good for the organic industry.About a hundred thousand acres of Iowa land is now dedicated to growing organic foods.