To solve the existential crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human disease, it is critical that organic agriculture grow—eventually becoming the standard for agriculture. However, with the expiration of the Farm Bill on September 30, 2023, and subsequent one-year extension, core organic programs including the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) will expire without Congressional action. This leaves thousands of organic farmers with a huge net increase in their annual certification costs—and presents a disincentive for others to make the transition to organic.

The OCCSP will disappear in 2025 unless Congress passes a five-year Farm Bill with funding or includes sufficient funding in a stopgap bill this fall.

Chemical-intensive agriculture, with its dependence on petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers, is a major contributor to the existential health and environmental crises and contamination of air, land, and water. Organic agriculture, certified and labeled in compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) provides:

• A definition of organic agriculture that defines health-biodiversity-climate friendly practices;
• A requirement for a systems plan that establishes baseline management practices to create resiliency and prevent pests;
• A rigorous process for an allowed/prohibited substances list with a mechanism for incorporating real-time data on hazards and alternatives into reevaluation of allowed list;
• A third-party certification and enforcement system;
• A process for public participation to ensure a feedback loop for continuous improvement; and,
• Funding to ensure elements are carried out in a robust way.

>> Tell Congress to ensure that organic programs, and their funding, do not lapse this fall.

The target for this Action is the U.S. Congress.

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