At long last, there is a farm bill!

After much partisan pinball, Congress arrived at an $867 billion bill that touches nearly all facets of agricultural production – including clear wins for organic.

What’s In the Farm Bill for Organic?

To read the final legislation that became law, please click here.

• • National Organic Program (NOP) fully funded

  • Boosts funding for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) from $20 million to $50 million by 2023

    Provides a robust and consistent research framework to investigate optimal organic production and management techniques and to provide knowledgeable extension support to growers at all stages of organic production. OREI’s funding level is now permanent in the USDA budget by 2023.

  • Improves tracking and verification of organic imports and expands resources for those efforts

Sizable amounts of organic grain are imported every year with reported instances of fraud. This funding includes $5 million for improved data tracking systems and compliance enforcement with clear plans for inter-agency coordination on import enforcement.

• • Provides $40 million in new & carryover funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program through 2023

Provides reimbursement for costs of organic certification (up to 75% of the cost of certification to a $750 maximum). It relieves financial burden for new-to-organic producers and keeps certification costs lower for those currently certified. Access the funding through your state department of agriculture or through your local FSA office, depending on the state.

• • $5 million in mandatory funding of the Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives

Nationwide organic market data for organic grain, produce, and dairy prices helps organic producers get an accurate gauge of pricing for crops and products. The National Agricultural Statistic Service (NASS) also conduct national organic surveys which help everyone maintain an accurate understanding of the organic marketplace, sales, production trends, and acreages.

• • Increases to the payment caps under the EQIP Organic Initiative (which is a dedicated set-aside funding for organic within CSP)

Supports conservation efforts on certified operations, transition assistance, and increased access to conservation technical assistance. Each state will receive specific allocations to support organic production and transition to organic.

• Strengthens organic crop insurance programs, improves the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program, and provides training to crop insurance adjusters about organic production