Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy, responded earlier this week to the resignation of 11 ag representatives working on the standards committee developing a national standard for sustainable agriculture.
Says Arny: “I am personally saddened by these resignations. The Leonardo Academy standards development staff and I have enjoyed working with these individuals and their participating organizations over the past two years. I will personally thank all of those who have resigned for their service on the Sustainable Agriculture Standards Committee and let them know that they are welcome to rejoin this process in the future.”
The 11 individuals who resigned from the committee cite an inappropriate balance of membership on the standards committee. Leonardo Academy acknowledged those individuals’ assessment but disagrees with it.
In an Oct. 21 press release, Leonardo Academy writes: “Leonardo Academy’s American National Standards Institute approved standard development process provides the balance across interest categories needed for developing a Sustainable Agriculture Standard that will be widely implemented and successful in the marketplace.”
In addition to reacting to the withdrawal of ag committee members, Leonardo Academy indicates the standards process is progressing from principle development to content development. The new content being developed by subcommittees will be reviewed by the standards committee at its next meeting, hosted by the GAP in San Francisco, Jan. 13-14.
All interested parties are invited to submit applications to participate in the upcoming subcommittee conference calls and to attend the standards committee meeting. New officers for the standards committee will be announced next week, as well as new committee openings. Those interested are encouraged to apply.
Learn more about Leonardo Academy at LeonardoAcademy.org and learn more about ag’s withdrawal en masse from the standards committee.