December 2018 - Organic Farming Research Foundation

Legislation Introduced to Preserve and Protect the Scientific Integrity of USDA

December 20, 2018 – Earlier this year, the Administration proposed to reorganize and relocate key research branches at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). There has been widespread concern within the research and farming communities about how the proposal could disrupt the scientific integrity of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and further marginalize critical research. In an effort to address these concerns, OFRF and the Union of Concerned Scientists sent a letter to Congressional leaders from over 1,100 scientists and economists, urging Congress to take action to protect the scientific integrity at USDA.

On December 20, 2019, action was taken.

Democratic Members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture introduced a new bill aimed at halting the move and protecting the agency’s ability to objectively collect and analyze data on issues ranging from agriculture and conservation to food and rural development. The legislation, called the Agriculture Research Integrity Act of 2018 (ARIA), was led by Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Mark Pocan (D-WI). Members of the House Agriculture Committee Jim McGovern (D-IL), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Annie Kuster (D-NH) signed on as cosponsors, along with Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

The bill requires the USDA to keep these scientific agencies within the greater Washington, DC area, and also keep ERS as part of the Research, Education, and Economics mission area at
USDA. Many NIFA and ERS staff are drawn to the national capital region, where they can work alongside legislators and other federal agencies, and more seamlessly integrate agriculture research with the greater national science community.

“As a former national program leader at NIFA and a farmer, I have firsthand experience of how the USDA serves customers,” said Diana Jerkins, Research Program Director at OFRF. “Stakeholders travel to DC to meet with NIFA, ERS, and other government officials including members of Congress, all in a single trip. If NIFA and ERS are moved, it will make interaction with these agencies more challenging. Additionally, the ability of these research agencies to work on joint programs, collaborate with other researchers and government officials, and serve the customers of USDA—it would be greatly diminished.”

Given the uncertainty at the USDA, we have already seen the loss of highly experienced and educated staff who would likely not move with the agencies, and are concerned that this move could harm the national efforts to increase agricultural research funding.

As part of the process, the Administration needs to appeal to Congress to fund the proposed move of NIFA and ERS. It is estimated to cost tens of millions of taxpayer dollars. With every minority member of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee signed on to the bill, it is now clear the Administration will face strong opposition not only from stakeholder communities, but also from the new Congress.

Even in the face of this opposition, the USDA has indicated that it intends to announce the new locations of ERS and NIFA in February 2019, and that they intend to proceed with physical relocation by the summer. These moves by the Administration continue to cause uncertainty for USDA staff, and may impact how USDA is able to interact with stakeholders around the country.

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:41+00:00December 20th, 2018|News|

Farm Bill Signed into Law

December 13, 2018 – After years of work and months of back and forth negotiations, the 2018 Farm Bill has been signed by the President.

This bipartisan bill makes long-overdue investments in organics and the future of American agriculture. The bill provides historic permanent baseline funding for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), continues to support the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, provides increased funding and enforcement authority for the National Organic Program, and supports the vital Organic Market and Production Data Initiative.

The bill also makes important changes to conservation programs that support organic agriculture. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) organic initiative had a restrictive funding cap that has been raised, and the Conservation Stewardship Program. (CSP) will provide program funds to States for the support of organic production and transition to organics. This bill also encourages cover cropping, resource-conserving crop rotation, and advanced grazing systems, which are important tools for organic farmers and ranchers. Additionally, the bill makes important policy improvements to support organic crop insurance education, promotion of organic products, and allows for States to mediate farm disputes impacting organic production.

We would like to thank our Congressional Organic Champions Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME). This bill secures historic support for organic research.

Thanks to the hard work of the Agriculture Committee leaders Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Representatives Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Collin Peterson (D-MN), and the diligent staff of the Agriculture Committees for their support of the landmark organic provisions in the Farm Bill, and for their hard work to pass a strong bipartisan Farm Bill.

In addition to organic programs, this bill makes investments in other key programs that support beginning farmers and locally produced foods. The bill provides permanent baseline funding for organic research and also makes significant policy improvements to programs that support beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, local food access and markets, and works to secure key resources to support research at 1890 Land Grant Universities. The bill also legalizes the growing of industrial hemp and paves the way for federal support of hemp production and research.

While there are many outstanding provisions in the Farm Bill, the bill is far from perfect. The final bill did not include many provisions that were intended to weaken environmental protection, and the bill makes no substantial changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) also known as food stamps.

Overall, this bill provides much needed support for America’s organic farmers and ranchers, supports beginning farmers, and helps producers and consumers across the country.

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:42+00:00December 13th, 2018|News|

Historic Permanent Funding for Organic Research Secured in Farm Bill

December 11, 2018—Thanks to the hard work of OFRF and a broad coalition of organic champions, we have secured historic wins for organic agricultural research in the 2018 Farm Bill, which will provide $395 million for organic agriculture research and education over the next 10 years. This milestone is the biggest win for organic farming in the Farm Bill in decades, securing permanent funding for organic research at USDA.

These funds will dramatically expand competitive grants through USDA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), ensuring organic farmers and ranchers have the tools and technology to meet their unique challenges and the growing demand for organic products—leading to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system that values healthy environments and healthy people.

“Throughout our history, OFRF has worked to ensure that organic producers have the science-based information and resources necessary to support the nation’s demand for healthier food and farming systems,” noted OFRF Executive Director Brise Tencer. “Since 2002, OREI research has supported cutting edge scientific inquiry into organic practices and production systems. With this bill, Congress has made progress toward fulfilling organic agriculture’s potential to provide broad environmental and economic benefits for all.”

As the Farm Bill heads to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for final consideration, we support the landmark wins for organic agriculture, including the significant funding increase for OREI and increased enforcement authority of the National Organic Program (NOP). In addition to these milestones, the Farm Bill includes several other programs that impact organic farmers and ranchers such as the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP) and funding for the Organic Data Initiative (ODI).

Details on the Organic Provisions in the Farm Bill

$395 million in OREI funding over the next 10 years. $20 million/FY 2019-2020, $25 million/FY 2021, $30 million/FY 2022, $50 million/FY 2023 and ever year after.
$5 million for the Organic Production and Market Data Initiative, which helps facilitate the collection of organic production and market data.
$40.5 million for NOCCSP that offsets part of farmers’ organic certification costs. This program is facilitated by $24 million in new funding, plus an additional $16.5 million in funding that was not used for the program from the previous Farm Bill.
$5 million for technology upgrades, increased enforcement authority, and increased funding authorization for the NOP.
Payment limits for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program Organic Initiative are increased to $140,000.
Organic and sustainable agriculture practice are now part of the continuing education for Crop Insurance Agents and Loss Adjusters.
Funding from the Conservation Stewardship Program will be allocated to States to support organic production and transition to organic production.
Current voting and membership practices of the National Organic Standards Board are codified.
Farmers that have land in the Conservation Reserve Program can being to transition the land to certified organic 3 years prior to the expiration of their Conservation Reserve contract.State Agriculture Mediation Programs shall now cover issues that impact certified organic production.
The Market Access Program shall encourage export of USDA certified organic products.

“All of the organic policy components of the Farm Bill are important and have far reaching impacts,” said Michael Stein, Policy and Program Manager at OFRF. “We want to thank the Agriculture Committee leadership, our supporters in Congress, and the diverse coalition that has helped make outstanding progress for organic agriculture in this Farm Bill.”

Congressional Champions

Organic agriculture would not be where it is today without the strong support of Congress. We would like the thank the House and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders for their hard work, including Senators Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Representatives Mike Conaway (R-TX), and Collin Peterson (D-MN) and the diligent staff of the Agriculture Committees, without whom we would not have been able to achieve such a historic win for organic agriculture.

We would also like to thank Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Chellie Pingree (D-ME) who championed Congressional support for organic research. Thanks to their help and support, we were able to gather strong bipartisan support for organic research, securing 66 co-sponsors of the Organic Agriculture Research Act.

Other champions for organic agriculture in the Farm Bill process included Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and the Senate’s only certified organic farmer, Senator John Tester (D-MT). Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), and Darren Soto (D-FL), along with outgoing Representatives John Faso (R-NY) and Michelle Lujan-Grisham (D-NM) also supported key organic policies in the farm bill.

Key Role of Organics

Since its inception, OFRF has worked to cultivate organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and organic acreage into organic production. In 2002, OFRF was instrumental in securing the first dedicated USDA funding for organic agriculture, $3 million annually. In the 2008 Farm Bill, OFRF worked to secure $78 million for organic research, a historic five-fold increase from the $15 million allocated in the expiring 2002 legislation. Now in the 2018 Farm Bill, we can proudly say that USDA’s funding for organic agriculture research has become permanent, steadily increasing to $50 million annually by 2023.

However, passing the 2018 Farm Bill is only the first step. OFRF will be working to inform this increased investment by ensuring future research and programs are relevant and responsive to the top challenges facing organic farmers and ranchers and producers who want to farm more sustainably, and that education and resources are broadly disseminated.

“It is so exciting to see this increased level of support for organic farming and organic research in the Farm Bill, said OFRF Board President and organic farmer, Jeremy Barker-Plotkin. “Organic farming is good for farmers, consumers, and the environment, and can ameliorate the impacts of climate change by sequestering carbon in the soil. Funding for research into organic farming has lagged behind organic farming’s market share for years, so it’s great to see a movement towards funding parity.”

By office|2020-01-08T18:13:42+00:00December 11th, 2018|News|

New Climate Guide Evaluates Best Organic Practices in Curbing Climate Change

December 4, 2018—Today the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) released the eighth guidebook in their immensely popular Soil Health and Organic Farming Series. Organic Practices for Climate Mitigation, Adaptation, and Carbon Sequestration examines research related to the capacity of sustainable organic systems and practices to sequester soil carbon and minimize nitrous oxide and methane emissions. The guide includes practical advice for reducing an organic farm’s “carbon footprint” and adapting to climate disruptions already underway.

“Research demonstrates that sustainable organic agriculture has great potential to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance farm resilience,” said Dr. Diana Jerkins, Research Program Director at OFRF. “We believe it is the best approach because sustainable organic agriculture not only integrates best soil health management practices, it protects soil life from the potentially adverse effects of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.”

“Transitioning to sustainable organic systems won’t happen overnight though,” cautions Dr. Jerkins. “Many technical, educational, cultural, and policy hurdles will need to be cleared before we’ll see the benefits on a large scale.”

“Farmers and ranchers have a major stake in curbing further climate change and enhancing the resilience of their operations to the impacts of climate change,” adds OFRF’s Executive Director, Brise Tencer. “Ultimately, we believe this guide will be critical to informing the direction of new research, as well as policies and programs that address barriers to the adoption of practices that increase resilience and help reverse the effects of climate change.”

Climate change threatens agriculture and food security across the U.S. and around the world. Rising global mean temperatures have already intensified droughts, heat waves, and storms, and altered life cycles and geographical ranges of pests, weeds, and pathogens, making crop and livestock production more challenging. Intense rainstorms aggravate soil erosion and complicate water management, and higher temperatures accelerate oxidation of soil organic matter. Warming climates modify crop development regulated by growing degree-days or “chill hours,” and threaten production of perennial fruit and nut crops that have strict chilling requirements to initiate growth and fruit set.

Research shows that building soil health through sustainable organic management practices can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and lessen the impacts of climate change on production. Now, all we need to do is scale it.

The entire Soil Health and Organic Farming series is available to download for free. Printed copies will be available upon request.

View the webinar.