NOC Endorses Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act
Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) have introduced The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act to invest in regionally adapted seed varieties and animal breeds. This investment is key to the future of U.S. agriculture, including organic farming systems.
NOC strongly supports this legislation and has identified this investment as one of our top 2023 Farm Bill priorities.
The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act promotes the development of ready-to-use, regionally-adapted, and publicly available seed varieties and animal breeds. This would give farmers more tools to confront drought, varying growing conditions, and to have plant and animal varieties that are better suited to their area. Regionally developed seed varieties often result in substantial increases in hardiness and yields. Further, it would ensure American farmers have access to domestically produced seeds and breeds that are developed through publicly available research.
“Wisconsin’s agriculture sector is a driver of our state’s economy and the heart of many of our rural communities,” said Senator Baldwin. “In the face of a changing climate, we must make sure our farmers and producers have the tools they need to adapt and compete on the global stage. This legislation will ensure that our farmers have regionally-adapted seed varieties and animal breeds to increase their yields and adjust to new environmental challenges. Farmers are always innovating, and this reform will make sure research is keeping up with them.”
Over the past several decades, universities across the country have reduced, or even eliminated, their public plant and animal breeding programs, causing a shortage of crops and livestock tailored to unique regional conditions. Lack of access to regionally adapted seeds and breeds makes our domestic agricultural sector vulnerable to disruption and threatens farmers’ domestic and international competitiveness. The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act ensures that the United States Department of Agriculture invests at least $75 million each fiscal year for competitive research grants that support the development of regionally adapted seed varieties and animal breeds at public universities.
NOC also supports provisions in the bill championed by the Native Farm Bill Coalition to protect tribal seeds and promote collaboration with tribal colleges and universities.
“The Native Farm Bill Coalition brings together the voices of Tribes and Native producers to support a wide variety of priorities promoting Tribal food sovereignty, creating economic development opportunities for Tribal producers, and building a strong American agricultural supply chain," said Kari Jo Lawrence and Cole Miller, Co-Chairs of the Native Farm Bill Coalition. “This legislation protects tribal seeds, promotes collaboration with tribal colleges and universities and prioritizes grants for public cultivars and animal breeds that will enhance the nutritional health outcomes of Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.”