Gearing Up for Farm Bill Conference Committee

Greetings, OFAN members, and Happy New Year! We hope your last farming season brought high yields and good prices, and that the holidays and break from OFAN updates have re-energized you for the busy few weeks ahead. Congress is just getting back into session with House members returning to Washington this week and Senators next week.

Shortly before Congress left for recess in December, the Senate passed their Farm Bill by a vote of 79-14. Though the Dorgan-Grassley Payment Limitations amendment (which OFRF supported) fell four votes short of passage, organic farming programs remain strong in both the House and Senate bill. With a bit more work from all of us, these gains stand a good chance of being preserved through the remainder of the process. Read our Farm Bill Update and the Organic Trade Association’s Farm Bill Organic Provisions Comparison to find out more about the organic provisions.

The Farm Bill now goes to a joint House-Senate Conference Committee to work out the differences between the two versions of the bill. Appointees to the Committee will be announced in the next few weeks. During conference, we will be advocating for the strongest organic provisions from each Farm Bill. OFRF and our organic allies sent a joint letter to House and Senate Agriculture leaders advocating for strong organic provisions during Farm Bill Conference Committee.

OFRF in the News!

OFRF board member and organic farmer John Teixeira submitted (and got published) a letter to the editor in response to a recent editorial in the Modesto Bee urging House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to nominate Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) to the Farm Bill Conference Committee. Letters to the editor are a great tool for keeping organic in the Farm Bill spotlight! If you get a letter about organic farm policy published in your local paper, let us know. If you’d like our assistance on how to submit letters to the editor, contact Tracy Lerman, Policy Program Assistant: tracy@ofrf.org or (831) 426-6606 x 108.

OFRF Farm Bill Goals and Status

Organic Agriculture Research
OFRF goal: $25 million/yr. in mandatory funds for Organic Agriculture Research Extension Initiative (OREI); fair share of USDA Ag Research Service (ARS) towards organic.
Final House Bill: $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 organic.
Final Senate Bill: $16 million/yr. in mandatory funding for OREI; language urging a fair share of USDA -ARS research budget for organic.

Data Collection
OFRF goal: Expansion of 2002 Organic Production and Market Data Initiative.
Final House Bill: $3 million mandatory funding over five years.
Final Senate Bill: $5 million mandatory funding over five years.

Conservation Programs Integration
OFRF goal: Full funding for CSP and allows organic farming practices to qualify for CSP payments.
Final House Bill: EQIP grants for “outreach” to organic producers. New policies making CSP more organic-friendly, but CSP funding cut by $4 billion.
Final Senate Bill: New policies making CSP more organic-friendly; CSP receives $2 billion in additional funding.

Organic Certification Cost-Share
OFRF goal: $25 million mandatory funds over five years, increase reimbursement cap to $750.
Final House Bill: $22 million over five years in mandatory funding; reimbursement cap increased to $750. Additional $1 million/yr. split among 17 states under the Ag Mgt. Assistance Program.
Final Senate Bill: $22 million over five years in mandatory funding; reimbursement cap increased to $750. Additional $1 million/yr. split among 16 states under the Ag Mgt. Assistance Program.

Risk Management (Crop Insurance Program)
OFRF goal: Removal of 5% organic surcharge; allow for payments based on organic prices rather than conventional prices.
Final House Bill: Require USDA to evaluate and alter Crop Ins. policies. Requires USDA to collect data on organic production risks.
Final Senate Bill: Surcharge prohibited unless proven warranted for individual organic crops; requires development and implementation of procedures to allow for reimbursement of loss at organic prices.

Organic Conversion Support
OFRF goal: Organic conversion program for farmers funded at $50 million/yr.; 50% financial assistance, 50% technical assistance and business advising.
Final House Bill: 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. USDA real estate loans that prioritize land being converted to organic.
Final Senate Bill: Organic Conversion Assistance program created under EQIP; no specific funding set-aside for program; no specific percentage of funding set aside for technical assistance. USDA real estate loans that prioritize land being converted to organic.

Thanks again for all your advocacy and support, and stay tuned for more updates! As always, feel free to give us your feedback. Contact Tracy Lerman, Policy Program Assistant at (831) 426-6606 or tracy@ofrf.org.

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