Organic Fly-In: Elevating Organic Priorities in Washington
Last week, we brought together 31 dedicated NOC member representatives from across the organic sector—farmers, scientists, farmer organizations, retailers, cooperatives, organic brands, nonprofits, and researchers—for a powerful Fly-In. Our mission: to advocate for organic priorities and address urgent concerns directly with lawmakers.
In over 60 meetings with congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, we made it clear that federal funding freezes, contract cancellations, and potential workforce reductions threaten the viability of organic farms, businesses, and the integrity of the organic sector.
NOC Member Representatives at the 2025 NOC Fly In
The Power of Positive Messaging
Throughout our discussions, we emphasized the positive impact of organic—how it has helped farms and businesses thrive while providing healthy food to local communities. Starting from this strong foundation, we connected our urgent policy needs, including:
Securing funding for the National Organic Program (NOP) and preventing staff cuts. [Take Action - Tell your Members of Congress to Protect the NOP]
Restoring funding for critical programs, that were either cancelled because the Farm Bill orphan programs were not included in the December 2024 Continuing Resolution (such as the Organic Certification Cost Share), and other crucial programs that were frozen or cancelled by executive action (like the Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program).
Exploring new opportunities to integrate the organic movement’s core goals—supporting small farms and rural economies—into future initiatives.
Key Messages That Resonated on Capitol Hill
Across party lines, certain messages stood out as particularly compelling:
The U.S. is missing a major opportunity. Organic acreage and operations are declining domestically, even as consumer demand continues to rise. Organic sales are projected to reach $144 billion by 2032—we must focus on increasing domestic production.
Oversight is cost-effective. The NOP operates on just $23 million to oversee a $70 billion industry—a strong return on investment.
Honoring farmer contracts is critical. We asked lawmakers to urge USDA to restore/unfreeze key programs and honor contracts, and we reinforced that Congress holds the power of the purse.
Bipartisan Support for Organic Research
One area of broad agreement? Investment in organic research. Across the aisle, lawmakers recognize the value of research in strengthening organic agriculture, improving productivity, and supporting farmer success.
Next Steps: Keeping the Momentum Going
To maintain momentum, we need to keep sharing stories about the real-world impact of USDA funding freezes and staffing cuts with congressional offices.
We’re energized by the engagement we saw during the Fly-In and the opportunities ahead. Let’s keep up the momentum—together, we can ensure that organic remains a priority in Washington and beyond.
Please consider taking action to Protect Organic Farmers & the USDA National Organic Program!
Federal funding freezes and USDA staff cuts threaten the future of organic agriculture. Your voice is needed NOW.
📢 TAKE ACTION: CALL OR EMAIL YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
