NOC Secures Wins for Organic in Spending Legislation

This week, Congress averted a government shutdown and passed a $1.5 trillion spending package to fund federal government activities for the rest of fiscal year 2022, after months of delay. Embedded in this massive spending legislation are important wins for organic agriculture.

The bill will boost fiscal year 2022 funding for the National Organic Program (NOP) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from $18 million to $20 million. NOC strongly advocated for a boost in funding for the program. The NOP is responsible for overseeing the growing organic industry, which generates about $62 billion in sales annually in the U.S. There are currently more than 45,700 organic farms and operations in 142 countries. The NOP is charged with updating and enforcing USDA organic standards in a uniform way around the globe, and investigating complaints of fraud.

At NOC’s request, Congress has also urged USDA to increase enforcement efforts to ensure full compliance with the soil health and pasture requirements of USDA organic standards. This language was included in the report language accompanying both the House and Senate bills.

“As a voluntary, holistic form of ecological farming that prioritizes soil health and receives third-party oversight, organic agriculture is a ready solution for the climate crisis,” said Abby Youngblood, Executive Director of the National Organic Coalition. “Strengthening soil health and pasture requirements in the organic program will help maximize the climate benefits of organic agriculture.”

The bill and the report accompanying the bill include several additional wins for organic:

Increased Funding for Organic Research — The bill includes a boost in funding for organic research through the Organic Transitions Program, which is slated to receive a total of $7.5 million in fiscal year 2022. The bill also boosts funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program to $45 million. 

Organic Data Collection — The bill includes a $500,000 increase in funding for the Organic Data Initiative to expand organic data collection and analysis efforts within the Agricultural Marketing Service. 

NOC appreciates the leadership of organic champions - Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Leahy, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Baldwin, and House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Member Pingree - for their leadership in securing these key wins for organic farmers, consumers, and businesses.