Mar 27, 2025

Organic farmers urge Congress to address USDA funding freezes

A delegation of 30 organic farmers, industry leaders and consumer advocates is in Washington, D.C., this week to address concerns over USDA funding freezes and staff reductions that they say threaten the future of organic agriculture.

Representing the National Organic Coalition (NOC), the group includes members from 18 states, including California, Illinois and New York. They are meeting with more than 55 congressional offices and USDA officials to push for the restoration of funding and staff for key organic programs.

“When USDA breaks contracts and cuts staff, farmers pay the price,” said Abby Youngblood, executive director of the NOC said in a release. “If the National Organic Program — which safeguards a $70 billion industry and protects against fraud — faces similar cuts, we risk unraveling decades of progress toward a trusted, transparent organic system that supports thousands of U.S. farms and businesses.”

The funding freeze has led to disruptions in federal support programs, with some farmers reducing acreage, laying off staff and pausing conservation efforts. Programs such as the Transition to Organic Partnership Program and Organic Market Development Grants have also been put on hold, raising concerns over the stability of the organic sector.

Delegates are calling for:

• Adequate staffing for the National Organic Program
• Restoration of organic transition and market development grants
• Stronger enforcement measures to prevent organic fraud
• Increased funding for organic research and dairy data collection

“Policies made in Washington directly shape what’s possible on our farms,” said Steve Ela, owner of Ela Family Farms and an NOC delegate in the release. “Farmers are facing delays and broken contracts, and at the same time, the organizations we rely on for training and technical assistance are at risk of shutting down. That doesn’t just affect us — it affects the entire food system that begins on our land and ends on your plate.”

The delegation is also advocating for the inclusion of organic priorities in the upcoming Farm Bill, including the expansion of the Organic Certification Cost Share Program and further investment in enforcement and modernization efforts within the USDA’s organic framework.

The NOC is urging policymakers to act swiftly to prevent further harm to the organic industry and ensure the continued integrity of the USDA organic label.