Madison, WI – Leonardo Academy announced the launch of a participation and fundraising campaign for the National Sustainable Agriculture Standard LEO-4000. The LEO-4000 standard has reached an important milestone. It is now entering the technical edit phase in order to be published as a draft standard, which will be sent to the Standard Committee for approval of the initiation of the public comment period.
This is a rare opportunity to not only support the development of the only public and transparent agricultural sustainability standard, but donors will be identified in standard materials as a founding sponsor.
Michael Arny, President of Leonardo Academy, said, "At this critical juncture your company is encouraged to participate and/or make a donation to fund the pilot testing and completion of the National Sustainable Agriculture Standard."
As will be demonstrated during pilot testing, LEO-4000 will provide users with a smooth path through the increasingly confusing range of proprietary sustainability information requests and standards for agricultural products. LEO-4000 is a comprehensive sustainability standard which provides a stable and reliable platform for producers to use in documenting compliance to these proprietary sustainability standards.
In addition, the pilot will include documenting how earning USDA Organic certification provides producers a tremendous leg up toward earning LEO-4000 sustainability certification. This equivalency will make it very practical for producers earning Organic certification to also earn LEO-4000 certification.
Leonardo Academy is initiating the technical edit of the draft standard so that it can be released as a draft standard and be presented to the Standard Committee for a vote on initiation of the public comment period. To drive the sustainability benefits of this standard across the marketplace we need your company's financial support and your participation in the pilot testing. Leonardo Academy is looking for participation and sponsorship commitments by July 1, 2013.
Opportunities to Participate in Developing the Sustainable Agriculture Standard
There are currently openings for the subcommittees and the voting Standard Committee. Leonardo Academy includes a broad range of interests in the standard development process. Participant categories include: producers, users (like manufacturers and retailers), environmentalists, representatives of colleges, universities, representatives of government agencies and general interest. To receive an application for membership on a subcommittee, on the Standard Committee, or for observer status, contact Michael Arny at Leonardo Academy: michaelarny@leonardoacademy.org, (608) 280-0255, or visit http://www.sustainableagstandard.org/
The Standard Committee
Standard Committee makes the decisions on the content of the standard.
The Subcommittees
The subcommittees play the key role of developing and revising drafts of portions of the Standard for consideration by the Standard Committee.
Drafts of Standard Documents
The current working drafts of Standards documents are available on the Leonardo Academy web sites: www.leonardoacademy.org and www.sustainableagstandard.org.
Public Comment Process
When the Standard Committee completes its review and revision process and approves the release of the draft standard for public comment, the public comment period will be announced in the American National Standards Institute publication, Standards Action. After the public comment period is completed, the Standard Committee will review all comments and decide how to address each of the comments received. Once the Standard Committee has addressed all of the public comments, the draft standard will be submitted to ANSI for promulgation as an American National Standard. http://www.sustainableagstandard.org/
Donations
The development of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard is funded through donations and grants. Please consider making a donation to support Leonardo Academy's work on developing this standard. Your support will help advance the sustainability through the development of this standard which will provide a framework for improving the 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
About Leonardo Academy
Mission Statement
Leonardo Academy is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing sustainability by leveraging innovative tools and information to motivate the competitive market. By utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability strategies, education and implementation, we strive to make sustainability practical for everyone.
We develop integrative sustainability solutions designed to enhance the environmental stewardship, social responsibility and economic prosperity of organizations, corporations and individuals. We see a world filled with sustainable opportunities that can transform the way we live today and ensure the prosperity of future generations.
Source: Leonardo Academy