By Lily Hawkins, Policy Director

Farm Bill Outlook

On August 6, the Senate Agriculture Committee met to discuss and vote on its latest version of a Farm Bill. However, because the committee failed to reach a compromise on SNAP rules, the bill did not secure Democratic votes and did not advance. Committee Chair Boozeman said the committee will reconvene and vote again after the 5-week August recess, possibly on September 15th. This plan hinges on strong Republican attendance. Senator Mitch McConnell’s absence in August left margins too slim to push through legislation without bipartisan support. Reports say that the Kentucky Senator transferred to his home from a hospital facility in early August, but a date for his return to Washington, D.C., has not yet been announced.

If the bill passes out of the Senate Agriculture Committee this month, it will still need a vote on the Senate floor, where more amendments could be introduced. From there, it must be reconciled with the House bill, and the resulting compromise legislation returned to each chamber for a final vote before being sent to the White House to be signed into law. If the bill does not move forward, it will expire on September 30th, and major programs will be impacted at the end of the calendar year. Previously, Congress has passed Farm Bill extensions to prevent interruptions in programs.

Contact your Senators today and urge them to fight for a Farm Bill that truly supports our organic farming communities!

Organic Grain Farmer Fly-in

This month, OFA will bring a small group of farmer members from its Organic Grain Farmer Workgroup to Washington, D.C., for targeted meetings on Capitol Hill, connecting organic grain producers directly with their elected officials. We are specifically targeting Republican members of the Senate Agriculture Committee from Midwest grain-producing states, the legislators most positioned to champion these priorities.

These Hill meetings will be farmer-led, building upon and reinforcing OFA’s model of growing grassroots leadership and giving producers a direct voice in federal policy.

Issues covered will include:

• Farmer Protection from Buyer Bankruptcies
• Organic Imports Verification Act
• Domestic Organic Investment Act
• Crop Insurance

Cost Share Funding Update

In July, USDA’s Farm Service Agency published a final rule releasing funds for Organic Certification Cost Share after many months of delay. 

OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the National Organic Program, which is administered by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service. Producers and handlers are eligible to receive 75% of the costs, up to $750 for each of the following scopes: crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling and state organic program fees.

Producers and handlers must apply by Dec. 31, 2026, for both program years, with a separate application for each year.   Local Farm Service Agency offices are currently accepting applications. The Federal Government has not yet released funds to state departments of agriculture. FSA staff cannot provide a date for the release of those funds at this time, stating that they are “actively working to advance publication as quickly as possible and will provide more information as it becomes available.”

OFA is gathering more information and is taking your questions about how FSA is handling two years’ worth of applications at the same time. If you have questions, please fill out the form on our cost share information page, and we’ll work to answer them and post the responses.