Madison, WI, July 6, 2009 – Leonardo Academy is now accepting applications for membership on the National Sustainable Agriculture Standard Subcommittees. The subcommittees, which will play a key role in the standards development process, are open to membership by all interested parties.

The subcommittees that have been established to move the next phase of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard development process forward are:  1) Criteria Development – Economic Sustainability, 2) Criteria Development – Social Sustainability, 3) Criteria Development – Environmental Sustainability, 4) Reference Library and Information, 5) Structure and Process of Standard Development, 6) Fundraising and Communications.

Specifically, these subcommittees will be exploring a range of key issues, engaging additional stakeholders, crafting draft criteria and developing recommendations and guidance to the Standards Committee, the body charged with identifying, deliberating and building consensus around issues relevant to the standard under development, and determining the criteria that will be included in the framework of the final standard.

Applying for the Subcommittees
Interested parties are required to submit an application for the Subcommittee(s) of their interest. Applications are available on the Leonardo Academy website (http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ccng57cab.0.0.hx7fftbab.0&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.leonardoacademy.org%2FProjects%2FSustainAgStdDevelopment.htm), or by contacting Amanda Raster, the Sustainable Agriculture Standard project facilitator ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Individuals who have previously submitted applications do not need to reapply but should contact Amanda Raster for further details.

Subcommittee applications should be submitted to Leonardo Academy by Friday, July 17, 2009. Following the initial Subcommittee sign-up period, Leonardo Academy will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis from individuals who wish to participate in the Subcommittee work.

Subcommittee Kick-Off Teleconferences
The Subcommittee Kick-Off Teleconferences will take place during the week of July 20-24, 2009. Specific dates and times will be announced soon.