Organic advocates from 15 states lobby Congress for USDA funding
More than 20 delegates from 15 states are lobbing for USDA funding and support for organic ag. Learn how policy change may impact farmers.
A delegation of 23 advocates from 15 states is in Washington this week to push for increased support of organic agriculture. The group, organized by the National Organic Coalition (NOC), includes farmers, food processors, co-op representatives, certification agencies and environmental organizations.
The fly-in comes as Congress negotiates the farm bill and other funding decisions that could shape the future of U.S. organic production. Delegates will meet with congressional leaders and USDA officials to promote policies aimed at strengthening the sector.
The delegation’s priorities include increasing funding for the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), which has lost roughly a third of its staff in the past year. The coalition is urging Congress to raise NOP funding to $25 million in fiscal year 2027 and to maintain current staffing levels.
Delegates are also advocating for improvements to the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program. Certification costs have risen sharply since the last reimbursement update in 2008, and funds for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 remain stalled at USDA. The coalition seeks to double the maximum reimbursement from $750 to $1,500 per scope per operation.
Investment in organic research is another focus. Nearly $100 million authorized for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) has not yet been released, delaying research that helps farmers address production challenges. The coalition is asking USDA to release the funds and for Congress to increase OREI funding to $60 million in FY 2027, growing to $100 million by 2031.
Finally, the delegation is calling for improved data collection for organic dairy markets. Farmers are facing economic pressures from extreme weather, market consolidation and rising input costs, yet USDA lacks sufficient data to guide effective policy responses.
Across all four priorities, the coalition emphasizes that investment in organic agriculture supports resilient farms, healthy food systems and thriving rural communities.