Ramping Up Support for Organics in the Farm Bill
Call Your Senators Today!
Just when you thought you had a break, the Farm Bill is back in action and your Senators need to know how important organic agriculture is in the Farm Bill. Organic agriculture made a strong showing in the House of Representatives after months of intense lobbying and grassroots advocacy (see chart below), and now we are following through in the Senate. We need to maintain the House gains and get more funding for organic agriculture research and education. Our top Farm Bill goals for the Senate are:
- $25 million/year for organic agriculture research and extension.
- $25 million over 5 years for organic certification cost share.
- Support for the Conservation Stewardship Incentives Program.
- An Organic Conversion Program with at least 50% of funding to go to technical assistance for farmers transitioning to organic
Call or write your Senators and urge them to support these policy goals! If your Senators are on the Agriculture Committee, your call is even more important. The Senate Agriculture Committee is tentatively scheduled to consider the Farm Bill the week of October 1. Once the process starts, it could move very quickly so please stand by for last minute action alerts! To learn more, read our detailed Farm Bill update and this recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle.
If you have any questions or want to get more involved, call Tracy Lerman, Policy Program Assistant at (831) 426-6606. Thank you for your advocacy efforts and stay tuned for more Farm Bill updates and action alerts!
SUMMARY of FARM BILL ORGANIC ACTION
ITEM |
OFRF SENATE GOAL |
FINAL HOUSE FARM BILL |
Organic Agriculture Research |
$25 million/yr. in mandatory funds for Organic Agriculture Research Extension Initiative (OREI); fair share of USDA Ag Research towards organic. |
$5 million/yr. in mandatory funding; plus, up to $25 million/yr. in discretionary funds for OREI; language urging a fair share of USDA ARS research budget for organics |
Organic Certification Cost-Share |
$25 million mandatory funds over five years, increase reimbursement cap to $750. |
$22 million over five years in mandatory funding; reimbursement cap increased to $750. Additional $1 million/year split among 17 states under the Ag Mgt. Assistance Act. |
Risk Management (Crop Insurance Program) |
Removal of 5% organic surcharge; allow for payments based on organic prices rather than conventional prices. |
Require USDA to evaluate and alter Crop Ins. policies. Requires USDA to collect data on organic production risks. |
Conservation Programs Integration |
Full funding for CSP and integration of organic agriculture into Conservation programs. |
EQIP grants for “outreach” to organic producers. New policies making CSP more organic-friendly, but CSP funding cut by $4 billion. |
Organic Transition Supports |
Organic transition program for farmers funded at $50 million/yr.; 50% financial assistance, 50% technical assistance and business advising. |
USDA real estate loans that prioritize land being converted to organic.
Organic Conversion Assistance program created; at least 50% of funding for technical and educational assistance; discretionary funding of $50 million over the life of the farm bill. |
Data Collection
|
Expansion of 2002 Organic Marketing and Production Data Initiative. |
$3 Million mandatory funding over five years. |
Subscribe to OFRF's Organic Farmers Action Network at ofrf.org/subscribe/ofan.html.
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