OPA Applauds Agriculture Committees for Progress on Farm Bill and Inclusion of Organic Produce Priorities
May 24, 2024The Organic Produce Association is pleased to see the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 marked up and passed out of Committee last night. We commend Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, GT Thompson (R-PA), for progress in moving forward with the Farm Bill. This pivotal legislation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of American agriculture, ensuring that our farmers, ranchers, and consumers are well-supported.
We are particularly pleased to see the inclusion of several key organic produce priorities in the bill, including mandatory funding for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative and the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program, providing $10 million in mandatory funding for the Organic Production and Market Data Initiative, and continued support for the National Organic Program.
By recognizing and addressing the unique needs of organic farmers, the Committee is taking significant steps toward promoting sustainable agricultural practices and supporting a sector that is vital to our nation’s health and economy. The commitment to organic produce reflects a growing consumer demand for healthy and sustainably produced food while also supporting farmers dedicated to growing organic.
We are also pleased that the Farm Bill summary released earlier this month by Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), The Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, includes provisions that would strengthen USDA organic programs. We look forward to working with both chambers in support of these key advancements for organic agriculture.
We commend the Committees for their efforts thus far, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration to advance the additional priorities of the Organic Produce Association. We encourage the Committees to swiftly pass a bipartisan farm bill this year, ensuring robust support for all sectors of agriculture, including the vital organic produce industry.