As we have discussed before, climate change and ecosystem degradation are some of the most potent challenges facing our food and agriculture systems. The United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS, NRCS) offers technical and financial assistance programs, like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), aimed at directly addressing those challenges. These programs help farmers adopt sustainable practices and systems, address resource concerns like water quality and soil health, and both mitigate and adapt to our changing climate. But, for these programs to be truly effective, they must be grounded in robust scientific research. Public investments in agricultural research, especially in systems approaches like organic agriculture, are essential to ensure these initiatives can achieve their full potential and are based on evidence that reflects climate-smart systems.
The Underfunding of Agricultural Research
Agricultural research is an incredibly valuable investment. Studies have shown that every dollar invested in public agricultural research generates $20 in public benefits. That is why it is so troubling that public agricultural research budgets in the United States have fallen by nearly a third in the past two decades. This decline threatens the development of new technologies and practices that are crucial for sustainable agriculture. With reduced funding, researchers struggle to address emerging issues such as climate change, soil degradation, and water scarcity. As a result, farmers are left without the tools and knowledge they need to adapt and thrive in a changing environment.
Adding to the challenge, the nature of agricultural research funding is changing. Increasingly, private sources are directing funding away from public welfare and toward profit-driven goals. This shift means that research priorities are often set by business interests rather than public or farmer needs. As a result, much of the funding goes towards innovations that enhance profitability for corporations like genetic development and new chemistries for pesticides rather than addressing critical issues such as sustainability and climate resilience.
The Importance of Organic Agriculture Research
Organic agriculture research is particularly important because it benefits all farmers, not just those who farm organically. Organic practices, such as conservation tillage, cover cropping, and ecological weed management enhance soil health, improve biodiversity, and reduce dependency on chemical inputs. These practices can be and oftentimes are adopted by conventional farmers as well, promoting sustainability across the agricultural sector. In contrast, research focused on chemical-based agriculture is not applicable to organic producers, as it relies on inputs that are prohibited under organic standards. This discrepancy highlights the need for more inclusive research that supports a broad range of farming systems and addresses the diverse needs of the farming community.
Despite the broad benefits of organic agriculture research, it receives disproportionately low funding. Currently, less than 2% of the USDA’s research budget is allocated to organic topics, and less than 1% of the Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) budget is dedicated to organic research. This significant underfunding limits the potential for organic farming practices to be fully explored, developed, and disseminated and likely undermines the effectiveness of conservation and climate programs.
Investing in organic agricultural research is crucial for the success of conservation and climate programs in agriculture. These investments ensure that programs are grounded in reality, based on the latest scientific findings, and equipped to address the diverse needs of farmers. By increasing funding for agricultural research, particularly in organic agriculture, we can develop effective, inclusive, and innovative solutions that promote sustainability and resilience in the agricultural sector.
Recognizing this importance, OFRF has recently entered into a cooperative agreement with NRCS to ensure that their programs, standards, and staff understand organic’s conservation benefits. This critical work underscores the necessity of continued robust research investments to develop and promote effective agricultural practices.
How You Can Help
Public investments in agricultural research are not just beneficial; they are necessary. They provide the foundation for effective conservation and climate programming, ensuring that our efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable agriculture are both practical and impactful. It is time to recognize the critical role of research and take action to secure the necessary funding to drive progress in the agricultural sector.
Together with the National Organic Coalition (NOC) and many other partners, we are asking Congress to give organic its fair share of investment in the Farm Bill. You can join us by asking your Member of Congress to support organic research in the Farm Bill.
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Be well,
Gordon