Bipartisan Senate bill aims to improve USDA program access for organic farmers
Sens. Adam Schiff and Dave McCormick have introduced bipartisan legislation directing USDA to evaluate barriers that limit organic farmers’ access to federal programs and recommend administrative and legislative changes.
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation that would require USDA to evaluate barriers that limit organic farmers’ access to federal agricultural programs, according to a news release from the office of U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff.
If enacted, the legislation would require USDA to deliver an assessment of existing barriers along with recommendations for administrative and legislative changes intended to improve access to department programs for organic producers.
Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Dave McCormick, R-Pa., introduced the Opening Programs to Organic Farms Act, which would direct USDA to assess how existing agency programs serve organic producers and identify ways to improve access.
According to the senators, many USDA programs were originally developed around conventional farming systems, creating unique challenges for organic operations seeking to participate in federal conservation, research, risk management and other assistance programs.
Under the proposed legislation, USDA would be required to:
- Assess barriers that current and prospective organic farms face when participating in USDA programs.
- Identify administrative actions the department can take to reduce or eliminate those barriers.
- Recommend any statutory changes Congress should consider to improve program accessibility for organic producers.
In a statement, Schiff said California’s leadership in organic production makes it important that growers have equitable access to USDA resources. McCormick said organic producers should not face unnecessary obstacles when seeking federal assistance and that the legislation aims to ensure all farmers have an opportunity to benefit from USDA programs.
The Organic Trade Association endorsed the bill.
“Organic is one of the fastest-growing sectors in American agriculture, yet too many organic farmers still hit unnecessary roadblocks when they try to access USDA programs,” Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association, said in a statement. “This legislation identifies where those barriers exist and charts a path to remove them.”