Organic Act Reintroduced: Welch, Panetta, Adams Lead Charge
By National Organic Coalition
TL;DR: Bipartisan legislation aims to boost US organic farming by expanding support programs and strengthening supply chains to meet rising consumer demand.
- New bill strengthens organic farming support.
- Legislation addresses lagging domestic organic production.
- Expands technical assistance for organic transition.
- Modernizes organic certification cost-share.
- Supports organizations aiding organic farmers.
Why it matters: This act could significantly increase the number of organic farms and the availability of organic produce, impacting food systems and consumer choices.
Do this next: Research the "Transition to Organic Partnership Program" (TOPP) to understand current support structures.
Recommended for: Farmers, policymakers, and consumers interested in the growth and sustainability of organic agriculture in the United States.
The National Organic Coalition announced that the Opportunities in Organic Act has been reintroduced in Congress with strong bicameral leadership from Senator Peter Welch and Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Alma Adams. This legislation represents a critical opportunity to reduce barriers to organic farming, strengthen organic supply chains, and ensure that farmers have the comprehensive support needed to transition to and remain in organic production. The bill arrives at a particularly timely moment, as demand for organic food continues to grow while domestic production lags behind consumer needs, creating an opportunity for U.S. farmers to capture expanding market share. A significant aspect of the legislation is its provision to carry on and build upon the transition support and technical assistance models currently being implemented through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which is set to conclude in 2026. This continuity ensures that proven support mechanisms can be sustained and expanded rather than discontinued. The Opportunities in Organic Act would expand and strengthen existing USDA programs to better support farmers and producers navigating organic transition and certification. Specifically, the bill would increase technical assistance to help producers adopt and maintain organic practices, modernize and expand organic certification cost-share with an increased reimbursement rate of $1,500 per operation per scope and flexibility for USDA to exceed these levels for underserved producers and regions, and provide additional support for institutions and NGOs that help farmers transition to organic and build organic supply chains. The National Organic Coalition expressed gratitude for the leadership of Senator Welch, Representatives Panetta and Adams, and the many Members of Congress and organizations supporting this legislation, indicating broad coalition support across the organic community.