Senate Agriculture Committee released bipartisan farm bill
ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON SENATE FARM BILL
June 8, 2018 (Kutztown, PA) – The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) applauds the Senate Agriculture Committee for releasing a bipartisan bill that supports organic farmers’ needs and priorities for future growth.
The Organic Farmers Association thanks Chairman Roberts, Ranking Member Stabenow and members of the committee for recognizing consumers’ demand for more local organic food and including farm bill provisions that will equip American farmers with what they need to meet that demand through increased domestic production. Especially, the Organic Farmers Association recognizes the work Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Bob Casey (D-PA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jon Tester (D-MT) did to include important organic legislation in this Farm Bill.
“Organic Farmers Association is pleased to see some wins for organic farmers in the Senate Farm Bill,” says Dave Colson, Organic Farmers Association President and owner of certified organic New Leaf Farm in Maine. “American family organic farmers encourage Congress to work toward a bipartisan farm bill that supports the growth of healthy food and families.”
Organic Farmers Association thanks our members—including many organic farmers from across the country who reached out to their Senators to voice their policy needs and priorities while the committee was in negotiations. We will all need to stay active and follow farm bill development to ensure organic provisions remain in the bill.
Priorities set by farm members of the Organic Farmers Association that were included in the bill are:
- Commitment to organic integrity by including important tools and funding for the National Organic Program to ensure and enforce organic standards throughout the supply chain.
- Full and mandatory funding for the organic certification cost-share program, which supports farmers to enter the organic market by reimbursing some of the annual fees for organic certification;
- An increase in funding for organic research. The bill incrementally increases funding for the Organic Research and Extensive Initiative (OREI) program from its current $20 million per year to $50 million per year by 2022. Organic research is imperative to support farmers’ ability to overcome organic production challenges and continue to meet the growing consumer demand for organic food;
- Full funding for the Organic Data Initiative (ODI), USDA's organic data collection program that provides accurate market and production information for the organic community.
Organic Farmers Association will continue to analyze the Senate Farm Bill and provide more insight and analysis to our members in the coming week.
Organic Farmers Association Applauds USDA for Termination of Organic Checkoff
Organic Farmers Association, representing America’s certified organic farmers, applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic (Organic Checkoff). The proposed program was divisive among the organic community, and checkoff programs must have industry support to be instituted—this proposal did not.
The proposed Organic Research and Promotion Program (ORPP) would have required all certified organic operations, even those exempt from the checkoff itself, to submit annual gross sales reports. All entities whose organic gross sales exceed $250,000 would have been mandated to pay 0.001% of their annual organic net sales. Jennifer Taylor, Vice President of Organic Farmers Association and certified organic farmer in central Georgia commented, “Organic farmers already fulfill a heavy load of annual paperwork for their organic certification. Additional federally mandated paperwork would have been overly burdensome—especially for the 75% of certified organic farmers estimated to be exempt from the checkoff.”
Organic Farmers Association agrees with the Organic Trade Association and other organic stakeholder groups that organic research and promotion are necessary and needed by the whole community. We hope that together we can unite organic stakeholders to identify creative solutions to support organic agricultural research and grow organic markets.
Organic Farmers Association represents certified organic farmers—the bedrock of the movement. Organic Farmers Association encourages the USDA to continue to listen to the nation’s certified organic farming community to support the growth of America’s organic markets fueled by domestic organic food and commodities.
Action Alert: Protect NOSB in Senate Farm Bill
May 3, 2018
As the Farm Bill is negotiated and crafted, we will be contacting you when legislators need to hear from YOU on organic issues. This is an ACTION ALERT. We need your help! YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
TARGETS: Your two Senators
TIMING: TODAY into EARLY NEXT WEEK!
WHY: Senate Farm Bill MUST PROTECT NOSB
The House of Representatives aims to vote on the House farm bill version this month. Senate farm bill action is also expected in May. We need the Senate Farm Bill to advocate for our organic programs. While we anticipate the Senate to follow some of our organic priorities, we are currently most concerned about changes they will make to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)- a body of organic stakeholders that works to ensure organic integrity. The proposed changes would weaken the authority and purpose of the NOSB, and OFA opposes changes to NOSB!
We need your help to tell your SENATORS to protect NOSB & not change it. You can call (faster) or email. See below for call talking points and an example email.
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PHONE CALL
Call the Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
*Press 1 for Senate. Enter your zip code to connect with your Senators.
- Ask for the Senator’s Agriculture Legislative Assistant (LA).
- Tell your Senator’s office that you are an organic farmer. Tell them the town where your farm is located and describe your farm business.
- Urge the Senator to oppose any attempts to change the National Organic Standard Board in the Farm Bill. (If your Senator is on the Agriculture Committee, ask them to protect NOSB in committee negotiations. If they are not on the Ag Committee, ask them to talk with their Senator friends who are).
- The Organic seal is one of USDA best known seals.
- The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) plays an important role in supporting that seal. NOSB determines which materials can be used in organic farming and is the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of organic seal. It must be protected.
(See below for more detailed background and talking points if interested.)
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EMAIL CONTENT:
FIND SENATE EMAILS: (https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm)
EMAIL SUBJECT LINE: Protect NOSB in Senate Farm Bill
I am an organic farmer in (your town), (describe your farm business).
The Organic seal is one of USDA best known seals. Consumer confidence in the seal has a direct impact on my business’s bottom line.
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) plays an important role in supporting that seal. NOSB determines which materials can be used in organic farming and is the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of organic seal.
I encourage the Senator to oppose changes to that would weaken organic standards or change the makeup of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
Thank you for considering my request. If you have any questions, I can be reached at (your phone number).
Sincerely,
Your name
Mailing address
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Background:
The Senate Agriculture Committee is considering Farm Bill legislation that would change the structure and authority of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The hydroponics industry has been working with Senate Agriculture Committee to change how NOSB operates. The NOSB is at the heart of the transparent process that upholds the integrity of the organic seal. Organic Farmers Association supports organic production that is soil-based. We believe that the organic process should remain transparent and that farmers should have an authentic representation and role in the process.
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is made up of 15 dedicated public volunteers from across the organic community. The Board advises the Secretary of Agriculture on a wide variety of topics related to organic standards, including what materials should be allowed in organic farming.
Organic standards must remain strong to ensure trust in the label and to create a level playing field for the vast majority of organic farms and businesses that are playing by the rules.
Organic farming improves farmers’ incomes and boosts rural economies.
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SOCIAL MEDIA:
TWITTER:
Targets: Senate Ag Committee Democrats
(NOTE: when tweeting at individuals, always include a “.” Before the “@” to make sure it’s shared publicly, not just with that individual)
| MI | .@SenStabenow | CO | .@SenBennetCO |
| NY | .@SenGillibrand | IN | .@SenDonnelly |
| VT | .@SenatorLeahy | ND | .@SenatorHeitkamp |
| OH | .@SenSherrodBrown | PA | .@SenBobCasey |
| MN | @SenAmyKlobuchar | MN | Couldn’t find Sen Tina Smith on Twitter |
Hashtags: #saveorganic #farmbill2018 #NOSB
Sample tweets
.@SenStabenow, thank you for your leadership on organic food and farming! We’re looking to you to #saveorganic and defend the #NOSB from attacks in the Farm Bill! #farmbill2018
.@SenStabenow, organic needs you more than ever! Defend the integrity of the organic standards and the #NOSB from attacks in the Farm Bill! #saveorganic #farmbill2018
2018 Organic Farm Bill Priorities
National Organic Program (NOP) Enforcement to Ensure Organic Integrity
Organic integrity is the bedrock of the organic label. We must have equitable and honest enforcement of the National Organic Standards across all commodities, states, farm sizes, and throughout international trade.
Positions:
- Organic Farmers Association (OFA) SUPPORTS the full and equitable enforcement of National Organic Program standards: USDA should take immediate action to bring non-complying operations and their organic certifying agents into compliance or else exclude them from the program. Congress should use its oversight authority to ensure that USDA takes the necessary actions to tighten enforcement.
- OFA SUPPORTS the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 3871), which includes new Farm Bill requirements for USDA, in coordination with Customs and Border Protection, to implement enhanced procedures to track organic imports and ensure that imported products fully comply with U.S. organic standards.
- OFA SUPPORTS a consistent interpretation and implementation of the pasture rule for all organic dairies.
Expanding Organic Research
Research on organic agriculture, including soil health and alternative pest- and disease-management strategies, benefits both organic and conventional farmers. Therefore, funding for such research is essential. Unfortunately, over the past five years, while overall funding for agricultural research has grown significantly, funding for organic research has stagnated.
The bipartisan Organic Agriculture Research Act (H.R. 2436/S.2404) would authorize $50 million in mandatory funding annually for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI).
- OFA SUPPORTS passage of the Organic Agriculture Research Act.
Organic Certification Cost Share
The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program and the Agricultural Management Assistance Act (AMA) provide organic farmers with modest reimbursements for a portion of their annual organic certification fees.
- OFA SUPPORTS renewal of organic certification cost-share programs with adequate mandatory funding to meet projected demand. OFA encourages Congress to recognize how this program helps small and beginning farmers access certified organic markets.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
- OFA STRONGLY OPPOSES any efforts that seek to dilute the authority and role of the NOSB in the overall standard-setting process, and opposes statutory changes to the delicate balance of stakeholder slot allocations for the Board membership.
FY19 ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST
$12 million, the FY18 funding level, to support Agriculture, the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), and the National Organic Program including for fraud detection.
The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is asking the Agricultural Appropriations Subcommittee to remind USDA of the value of the organic seal. The top priority of OFA members is protect the integrity of USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service’s (AMS) National Organic Program’s (NOP) organic seal.
NOP is responsible for ensuring that their accredited international and domestic certifiers and inspectors are enforcing the rules and regulations that uphold the high standards of organic integrity. OFA encourages Congress to remind NOP that the value of the organic label depends on consumer trust—trust that the program is enforcing its standards equally and consistently among all producers. Family farmers across rural America depend on the ability to diversify their markets. For many, organic market prices support their farm businesses. Meanwhile, consumers are demanding more product and continue to show that they are willing to pay for food and fiber grown to NOP standards.
Many American farmers are eager to transition acres to organic as current demand for organic products outpaces domestic production. Presently, 40 percent of organic corn and 70 percent of organic soybeans are imported to meet the growing demand. And yet, recently the UDSA has turned away shiploads of this imported grain because it has been fraudulently claimed organic. American farmers deserve an equal playing field and to function in an honest free market where increased domestic demand calls for higher prices due to limited supply. This would encourage more farmers to increase production to meet the demand locally. We encourage the Subcommittee to support NOP funding so the NOP can do its job of enforcement and create financial opportunities for American farmers first—making rural America a priority.
Organic Farmers Association: Washington D.C. Annual Meeting and Lobby Day
Thirty members of the Organic Farmers Association leadership met in Washington D.C. recently to plan for the upcoming year and to participate in a Lobby Day advocating for the policy priorities of U.S. certified organic farmers on Capitol Hill.
On Monday, April 9, the Policy Committee finalized draft Organic Farmers Association policy positions (submitted by domestic certified organic farmers) and prepared for the lobby day.
On Tuesday, April 10, Organic Farmers Association completed their first D.C. fly-in the day before House Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway (R-TX) released his draft of the 2018 farm bill.
Over twenty members of the Organic Farmers Association Policy Committee, Steering Committee, and newly-elected Governing Council were among the first to be briefed by Chairman Conaway’s staff on changes to organic policy that he planned to release the next day. To read our farm bill draft analysis, click here. The group also met with Senior staff for House Agriculture Committee Minority Ranking Member Peterson (D-MN), Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Roberts (R-KS), and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Stabenow (D-MI), and heard from the House Budget Committee staff on farm bill programs that lack baseline funding.
Organic Farmers Association leadership includes a high percentage of past-National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) members and we were able to advocate for the importance of the NOSB from the farmer-members’ perspectives—a view that needs more visibility in their offices.
OFA members had over 50 meetings with their Senators and House members from California, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin.
OFA representatives also met with USDA National Organic Program senior staff to encourage increased enforcement and attention to ensuring organic integrity on imported grains and domestic dairy and pasture rule compliance. OFA farmers also met with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff about dicamba and the concern for increased drift incidences for organic growers in the 2018 growing season. Dicamba is in its second year of its conditional use permit and will be under close review this summer.
Organic Farmers Association closed the day with a presentation for the House Organic Caucus and then a social hour for caucus members and other Washington, D.C. organic organizations who we work closely with to advocate for a stronger organic movement and market.
On Wednesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 12, the leadership committees were back to work culminating the work of the Steering Committee as it prepared to pass power to the newly elected Governing Council The group reviewed our 2017 successes and 2018 work priorities as well as final organizational policy updates to set the project on solid foundational footings. The Governing Council passed project Bylaws and a Code of Conduct for staff and leadership. We also worked as a group to focus in on some brainstorming for strategic 3-5 year goals for the movement and how Organic Farmers Association may best target our resources to make a difference in strengthening the voice and exposure of certified organic famers at the national level.
Thank you to our leadership who made our first annual meeting and lobby day a success, and thank you to our membership for allowing us to give a voice to organic farmers in these important national policy discussions.
2018 Farm Bill Analysis
2018 Farm Bill Analysis
Mark Rokala, Policy Director
April 18, 2018
OVERVIEW OF THIS STAGE OF THE FARM BILL PROCESS
The legislative process of reauthorizing USDA’s organic programs is a marathon, not a sprint. This marathon started more than a year and a half ago, and the finish line is a moving target. A final product could be this summer or not until next year.
Organic Farmers Association’s goal is to include our legislative priorities in the bill that will pass the finish line. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway’s (R-TX) proposal includes some of Organic Farmers Association’s priorities; however, the path to his proposal getting 218 votes to pass the House of Representatives is not clear.
There are several obstacles in the path to a 2018 Farm Bill.
- History is not on the side of Chairman Conaway as Congress has not passed a farm bill in an election year in modern history. As you know, 2018 is an election year.
- The divisive nature of Congress is breaking the usual bipartisan nature of the Agriculture Committee, as the Majority released a Republican only version of the farm bill that did not include Minority (Democratic) language. Historically, both parties of the Agriculture Committee have worked together to agree on the farm bill draft before it is released to Committee members.
- Congress’ partisan nature will cause cracks in the loose knit coalition of agricultural, conservation, rural develop, nutrition, and other groups that have historical worked with past chairmen to pass the legislation on the floor.
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program(SNAP), the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net, is the main point of contention for this farm bill within the House. Fifty members of Chairman Conaway’s caucus want more extensive SNAP reforms and those same fifty members tend not to vote for farm bill programs. To gain the needed Republican votes, the Chairman will need to make even more conservative reforms to SNAP; or he will need to reverse the SNAP reforms to gain Democratic support. The bill’s SNAP reforms will also create significant difficulties for the Chairman when the bill is conferenced with the Senate. Both the Chair and the Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee have agreed not to include SNAP changes in their proposal, and both have said and agree that the Senate does not have the votes to pass the House-proposed SNAP changes.
The current farm bill expires the end of September 2018. Closer to the deadline, Chairman Conaway will have to determine if he can pass his proposal before programs expire or he will need to extend current farm programs. Congress does not want the farm bill to expire as farm policy would return to the policies of the 1930s.
Chairman Conaway’s decision could have a significant impact on programs organic farmers utilize like organic research. Thirty-nine “orphan” programs lack baseline funding and would not be funded if the current farm bill is extended.
This Fall’s election adds significant intrigue to the farm bill writing process.
If Republicans keep control of Congress, Chairman Conaway would most likely continue as Chairman; however, if Democrats assume control of the House, Chairman Peterson would become Chairman of the Agriculture Committee and possibly start this whole process over next year.
As with most legislation, Congress is designing the marathon trek on the fly and will be looking for a finish line. OFA wants to be part of the process that reaches the finish line with as many as our policy priorities incorporated into the best bill possible for our members.
ANALYSIS OF THE HOUSE MAJORITY FARM BILL VERSION & ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOC. PRIORITIES
Organic Farmers Association identified several farm bill priorities. These are our top four:
- maintaining the integrity of the organic system (import integrity, dairy and pasture rule enforcement);
- funding the Organic Certification Cost Share;
- funding the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) at $50 million; and
- protecting the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
Below is a brief review of the House Majority draft farm bill’s response to our priorities:
ORGANIC INTEGRITY
Overall much of the components of the Organic Farmer and Consumer Protection Act were implemented in the draft to improve NOP oversight and authority to enforce organic integrity:
- Improvements to NOP investigations
- During an investigation allow for the sharing of confidential business information with state and federal employees;
- Allow the secretary access to Customs and Border Protection data;
- In high risk areas, require additional information from producers and handlers organic plan;
- limit the type of operation exclude from certification;
- submit an annual report on all domestic and overseas investigations and compliance action taken.
- Changes to the international trade technology system
- Modernize trade and transition certificates to ensure full traceability.
- Provide one-time funding of $5 million for the system.
- Allow the Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives access to Commodity Credit Corporation funds.
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION COST SHARE
The farm bill draft does not provide any funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share program. The language defining and establishing the program in the farm bill remains, but the program is not funded. Organic Farmers Association and our farm members strongly value this program and we feel it is necessary to fund it. The Senate bill may be where we need to restore program funding.
ORGANIC RESEARCH
Organic Farmers Association supports the Organic Research Act, which requests $50 million for the OREI program, increasing organic research dollars from the current $20 million.
The House farm bill increases organic research dollars to $30 million. There is still an increase, but less than the organic community has established as necessary.
NATIONAL ORGANIC STANDARDS BOARD
Organic Farmers Association strongly opposes any efforts that seek to dilute the authority and role of the NOSBin the overall standard-setting process, and opposes statutory changes to the delicate balance of stakeholder slot allocations for the Board membership.
The House legislative draft includes the following changes to NOSB:
- Allowing certifying agents, on an annual basis, in foreign country to certify a farm or handling operation;
- Provide an expedited procedure for the national list of approved and prohibited substances for organic farming and handling;
- Allows employees of organic farming operations, organic handling operations and retail operation to serve on the NOSB.
Organic Farmers Association staff will continue to work with Congress as its works on re-authorizing farm legislation.
House Agriculture Committee Announces Draft of 2018 Farm Bill
Chairman Conaway Introduces the Agriculture and Nutrition Act
On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).
- CLICK HERE to read the full legislative text of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
- CLICK HERE to read the section-by-section summary of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
- CLICK HERE to read policy highlights in the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.
- CLICK HERE for audio of Chairman Conaway’s remarks from today’s press conference.
- For more information on the bill, visit house.gov/farmbill.
The following is a statement released by the House Agriculture Committee on April 12:
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) – critical legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers. Upon introducing the bill in the House, Chairman Conaway said:
“Rural America is hurting. Over the last five years, net farm income has been cut in half. Natural disasters and global markets distorted by predatory trade practices of foreign countries, including high and rising foreign subsidies, tariffs and non-tariff barriers, have resulted in huge production losses and chronically depressed prices that are today jeopardizing the future of America’s farm and ranch families.
“The farm bill keeps faith with our nation’s farmers and ranchers through the current agriculture recession by providing certainty and helping producers manage the enormous risks that are inherent in agriculture. The farm bill also remains faithful to the American taxpayer and consumer. Under the farm bill, consumers will continue to enjoy the safest, most abundant and most affordable food supply in the world, and taxpayers will reap the more than $112 billion in budget savings projected under the current law.
“Ensuring an affordable food supply is important to every citizen, but it is absolutely critical to the most vulnerable among us who struggle every week to put food on the table. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is reauthorized under the farm bill, is essential to helping many Americans feed themselves and their families.
“The farm bill also keeps faith with these families by not only maintaining SNAP benefits but by offering SNAP beneficiaries a springboard out of poverty to a good paying job, and opportunity for a better way of life for themselves and their families.
“I’m excited to share our vision with the American people – and eager for people to see the details of a proposal that offers people real hope and promise.
“I’m also looking forward to quickly moving this farm bill through the House and working with the Senate to deliver a farm bill to the president’s desk that is on time, as the president has asked us to do.”
House Committee On Agriculture Ranking Member Collin Peterson also released the following statement:
Peterson Statement on Conaway Farm Bill
WASHINGTON – House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson today made the following statement after Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway released partisan legislation to reauthorize the farm bill.
“It makes no sense to put the farmers and rural communities who rely on the farm bill’s safety net programs at risk in pursuit of partisan ideology on SNAP. Between record low farm incomes, and the escalating threat of a trade war and other market disruptions, farmers have enough to worry about. Breaking up the long-standing, bipartisan, urban-rural farm bill alliance is a dangerous and unproductive step that will only sow division and jeopardize both this and future farm bills.
“This bill attempts to change SNAP from a feeding program to a work program. The bill rejects the testimony of 89 witnesses, and instead includes ideological language that will force people off of SNAP to pay for massive state bureaucracies that won’t work and are a waste of money. This legislation is based on false perceptions and ignores reality.
“The bill also fails to make needed improvements to the farm safety net. American farmers are suffering from the largest drop in farm income since the Great Depression but the farm safety net in this bill is inadequate and won’t help farmers. Our farmers need a safety net that will address their current reality. This farm bill fails to provide the certainty farmers need during uncertain times.”
The House Committee on Agriculture also issued a hearing advisory on the Agriculture and Nutrition Act:
ADVISORY: House Agriculture Committee to consider H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18
Wednesday, April 18, 2018 – 10:00 a.m.
1300 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Full Committee – Business Meeting
RE: To consider H.R. 2, Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018
Organic Farmers Association is working on preparing an analysis for our members on what this means for our policy priorities.
Organic Farmers Association Announces Governing Council
Organic Farmers Association, a national membership organization for certified organic farmers, sponsored by Rodale Institute, has announced the first elected Governing Council. The elected Governing Council is made up of 12 voting certified organic farmer members and six advisory organizational members. Each member will serve a term of two years. Committee members are regionally diverse and reflect the national diversity of organic farms.
“It’s exciting to have our first fully elected leadership body,” said Kate Mendenhall, Director, Organic Farmers Association. “And it’s not a moment too soon. We have an ambitious schedule for 2018. Three of our priority areas include strengthening the integrity of the organic seal, protecting organic certification cost share, and funding organic research.”
The new Governing Council will assume leadership from the current Steering Committee at an April Annual Meeting and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.
The Governing Council will assure the health and effectiveness of the organization. From its start in the fall of 2016, Organic Farmers Association has been working to build and support a farmer-led national organic farmer movement with a strong voice advocating for organic farmers. This first Governing Council will help guide this work forward from the ground up.
Organic Farmers Association 2018 Governing Council includes:
CALIFORNIA
Farmer Representatives:
Judith Redmond, Full Belly Farm, Guinda, CA
Steve Beck, Kings River Produce, Inc., Hanford, CA
Organization Representative:
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF): Phil LaRocca, Chair, NV
MIDWEST REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Dave Bishop, PrairiErth Farm, Atlanta, IL
Joannee DeBruhl, Stone Coop Farm, Brighton, MI
Organization Representative:
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA): Renee Hunt, Program Director, Columbus, OH
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Jim Riddle, Blue Fruit Farm, Winona, MN
Harriet Behar, Sweet Springs Farm, Gays Mills, WI
Organization Representative:
Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM): John Bobbe, Executive Director, Scandinavia, WI
WESTERN REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Nathaniel Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics, Bozeman, MT
Jessica Gigot, Harmony Fields, Bow, WA
Organization Representative:
Montana Organic Association (MOA): Becky Weed, Board of Directors, MT
SOUTHERN REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Jennifer Taylor, Lola’s Organic Farm, Gleenwood, GA
Loretta Adderson, Adderson’s Fresh Produce, Hephzibah, GA
Organization Representative:
Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA): Michael Sligh, Program Director, Pittsboro, NC
NORTHEAST REGION
Farmer Representatives:
David Colson, New Leaf Farm, Durham, ME
Maryrose Livingston, Northland Sheep Dairy, NY
Organization Representative:
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT): Maddie Monty Kempner, Membership & Advocacy Coordinator, Richmond, VT
SPONSOR SEAT
Rodale Institute
Organic Farmers Write Letter to Secretary Perdue
On February 6, 2018, the Organic Farmers Association wrote and sent a letter to the Honorable Sonny Perdue, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, regarding the National Organic Program’s (NOP) statement that “Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been since the National Organic Program began.” Click here to read full letter.
Dear Secretary Perdue;
The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is a membership organization that represents America’s certified organic farmers. While we have supporting and organizational members, only domestic certified organic farmers vote on OFA’s policies and leadership.
At OFA, we are very concerned by the National Organic Program’s (NOP) January 25, 2018, statement that “Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been since the National Organic Program began.” We see this action as revisionist history, and an incorrect interpretation of organic law.
Eight members¹ of OFA’s leadership team have served on the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). We believe it is critical you are aware that the USDA has several times in the past sought guidance from the NOSB on the advisability of allowing hydroponic production to be certified organic, and every time there has been a decisive vote, the Board rejected the idea of allowing organic certification of hydroponics. These discussions and votes are documented in NOSB meeting minutes for your historical reference.
In 2010, the NOSB, by a 14 to 1 vote, recommended that hydroponic production not be allowed to be certified organic, stating “systems of crop production that eliminate soil from the system, such as hydroponics or aeroponics cannot be considered as examples of acceptable organic farming practices…due to their exclusion of the soil-plant ecology intrinsic to organic farming systems and USDA/NOP regulations governing them.”
Most USDA-accredited certifying agencies have avoided certifying hydroponic operations as organic because of the long-standing requirement—rooted in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA)—that organic production must be in the soil.
While the word “soil” is mentioned in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) seven times and in the NOP Final Rule fifty times, the words “hydroponic,” “aquaponic,” “aeroponic,” or “soilless” are not mentioned at all. In short, there are no federal standards or regulations for certifying hydroponic production as organic.
OFPA—the enabling legislation that created the National Organic Program—indicates that organic production must be soil-based. The Act states, “An organic plan shall contain provisions designed to foster soil fertility, primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring.”
Members of the Organic Farmers Association are concerned that the NOP’s recent statement was accompanied by no legal justification for unconditional allowance for organic certification of hydroponic production.
The notice contained no OFPA or NOP rule citations to justify the novel position being taken by the USDA. Further, the notice contained no guidance to certifying agencies on how to certify operations that do not comply with most NOP requirements.
OFA members are concerned that soilless production systems are inconsistent with OFPA and do not comply with numerous sections of the NOP Final Rule.
Specifically, OFPA Section 6513 “Organic Plan” states:
“(b)(1) Soil Fertility. An organic plan shall contain provisions designed to foster soil fertility, primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring. (underline added)
(g) Limitation on Content of Plan. An organic plan shall not include any production or handling practices that are inconsistent with this chapter.”
Soilless hydroponic production systems do not foster soil fertility or build soil organic matter content, as required by OFPA. Organic plans for soilless operations, by definition, include production practices that are inconsistent with OFPA since such systems rely exclusively on inputs for fertility, instead of implementing a soil fertility program that builds soil organic matter, as required by OFPA 6513(b)(1).
The authors of OFPA made it clear that soil, and maintenance of soil fertility, are essential components of an organic system of production. In the Senate Report on the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990, Congress wrote, “a crop production farm plan must detail the procedures that the farmer will follow in order to foster soil fertility, provide for crop rotations, and prohibit certain manuring practices inappropriate to the crop being raised and the land in use.” (p. 292)
The NOP Final Rule, Section 205.200 “General” requirement states:
“Production practices implemented in accordance with this subpart must maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation, including soil and water quality.”
Soilless hydroponic production systems do not comply with NOP 205.200, since they do not maintain or improve the natural resources of the operation including soil quality.
The NOP Final Rule, Section 205.203 “Soil fertility and crop nutrient management” states:
“(a) The producer must select and implement tillage and cultivation practices that maintain or improve the physical, chemical, and biological condition of soil and minimize soil erosion.
(b) The producer must manage crop nutrients and soil fertility through rotations, cover crops, and the application of plant and animal materials.
(c) The producer must manage plant and animal materials to maintain or improve soil organic matter content”
Soilless hydroponic production systems do not comply with NOP 205.203(a-c) because tillage and cultivation practices do not maintain or improve the physical, chemical or biological condition of soil. Soilless hydroponic operations do not manage fertility through the use of crop rotations or cover crops, and they do not maintain or improve soil organic matter content.
The NOP Final Rule, 205.205 “Crop rotation” states:
“The producer must implement a crop rotation including but not limited to sod, cover crops, green manure crops, and catch crops that provide the following functions that are applicable to the operation:
(a) Maintain or improve soil organic matter content;
(b) Provide for pest management in annual and perennial crops;
(c) Manage deficient or excess plant nutrients; and
(d) Provide erosion control.”
Soilless hydroponic production systems do not comply with NOP 205.205, because they do not implement crop rotations to maintain or improve soil organic matter content; provide pest management; manage deficient or excess plant nutrients; or provide erosion control. Soilless hydroponic systems do not comply with the crop rotation requirement, which is a cornerstone of organic crop production.
Soilless production systems do not comply with the NOP Section 205.2 definition of “organic production” because they do not “promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity” as required according to the legal definition of “organic production.”
The OFPA and NOP Rule sections cited above use the words “shall” and “must,” not “should” or “may.” These are mandatory provisions, and they cannot be ignored.
In addition, soilless, hydroponic systems do not comply with the National Organic Standards Board’s Principles of Organic Production and Handling, the first sentence of which reads, “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity.“
The Organic Farmers Association respectfully requests the United States Department of Agriculture to retract the policy statement issued by the National Organic Program on Jan. 25, 2018, which stated, “Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations.”
As you evaluate our request to withdraw this unprecedented policy, OFA calls on the USDA to issue a legal opinion examining if soilless, hydroponic production systems, and the products thereof, can be certified and labeled as “USDA Organic.”
We appreciate your prompt attention to this critical issue.
Respectfully,
Jim Riddle, Blue Fruit Farm, MN, OFA Steering Committee Chair
Francis Thicke, Radiance Dairy, IA, OFA Policy Committee Chair
Kate Mendenhall, Director Organic Farmers Association
OFA Steering Committee members:
Michael Adsit, Farmer, Plymouth Orchards, MI
Dave Colson, Farmer, New Leaf Farm, ME
Jack Erisman, Farmer, Goldmine Farm, IL
Nick Maravell, Farmer, Nick’s Organic Farm, MD
Theresa Podoll, Farmer, Prairie Road Organic Seed, ND
Bob Quinn, Farmer, Quinn Farm & Ranch, MT
Judith Redmond, Farmer, Full Belly Farm, CA
Jim Riddle, Farmer, Blue Fruit Farm, MN
Will Stevens, Farmer, Golden Russet Farm, VT
Jennifer Taylor, Farmer, Lola’s Organic Farm, GA
Isaura Andaluz, OSGATA John Bobbe, OFARM
Renee Hunt, OEFFA
Maddie Monty, NOFA-VT
David Runsten, CAFF
Michael Sligh, RAFI-USA
Jeff Moyer, Rodale Institute
OFA Policy Committee members:
Kenneth Kimes, Farmer, CA
Mark McAfee, Farmer, CA
Michael Adsit, Farmer, MI
Hannah Smith-Brubaker, Farmer, PA
Bob Quinn, Farmer, MT
Pryor Garnett, Farmer, OR
Laura Freeman, Farmer, KY
Jennifer Taylor, Farmer, GA
Francis Thicke, Farmer, IA
Harriet Behar, Farmer, WI
Rodney Graham, Farmer, NY
Dave Chapman, Farmer, VT
David Runsten, California Organization Rep.
Kristina (Kiki) Hubbard, Western Organization Rep.
Michael Sligh, Southern Organization Rep.
Matthew Miller, North Central Organization Rep.
Casey Trinkaus, Midwest Organization Rep.
Edward Maltby, Northeast Organization Rep.
1 Current OFA Steering Committee and Policy Committee Members who have served on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and their Years of Volunteer Service to USDA: Bob Quinn, 1992-1997; Michael Sligh, 1992-1997; Jim Riddle, 2001-2006; Jeff Moyer, 2006-2011; Jennifer Taylor, 2011-2016; Nicholas Maravell, 2011- 2016; Francis Thicke, 2013-2018; and Harriet Behar, 2016-2020.
Organic Farmers Group Says Soil Must Be the Root of Organic
The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is raising concern with the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent statement that “Certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations is allowed under the USDA organic regulations, and has been since the National Organic Program began,” labeling this action as revisionist history, and an incorrect interpretation of organic law. This statement was released by the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service on January 25, 2018.
“The USDA has several times in the past sought guidance from the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) on the advisability of allowing hydroponic production to be certified organic,” said Francis Thicke, OFA policy committee chair and outgoing NOSB member. “This issue is far from settled.”
The association pointed out that in 2010 the NOSB, in a 14 to 1 vote, recommended that hydroponic production not be allowed to be certified organic, stating “systems of crop production that eliminate soil from the system, such as hydroponics or aeroponics cannot be considered as example of acceptable organic farming practices…due to their exclusion of the soil-plant ecology intrinsic to organic farming systems and USDA/NOP regulations governing them.”
The USDA National Organic Program did not follow through on that NOSB recommendation. However, most USDA-accredited certifying agencies have avoided certifying hydroponic operations because of the long-standing requirement—rooted in the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA)—that organic production must be in the soil.
“There are no federal standards for certifying hydroponic production as organic,” said Jim Riddle, OFA steering committee chair and former NOSB member.
Organic Farmers Association said OFPA—the enabling legislation that created the National Organic Program—indicates that organic production must be soil-based. Quoting the Act, “An organic plan shall contain provisions designed to foster soil fertility, primarily through the management of the organic content of the soil through proper tillage, crop rotation, and manuring.”
Further, Organic Farmers Association asserts that no legal justification accompanied USDA’s recent position of unconditional allowance for organic certification of hydroponic production.
“The notice contained no OFPA or NOP rule citations to justify the novel position being taken by USDA,” said Riddle. “Further, the notice contained no guidance to certifying agencies on how to certify operations that do not comply with most NOP requirements.”
The notice has alarmed pioneer organic farmers, who defined soil as fundamental to organic food production. The Organic Farmers Association, which represents U.S. organic farmers, is also upset by this policy statement, because it provides further evidence that the USDA is ignoring opportunities to maintain or increase consumer confidence in the organic seal.
This trend includes the USDA’s recent withdrawal of the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices rule, which would strengthen and clarify animal welfare requirements, based on recommendations of the NOSB and extensive input and support from the organic community.
Other recent examples of the USDA’s attempts to undermine organic agriculture include the USDA’s failure to enforce grazing requirements for confinement organic dairy farms, and USDA’s very slow response to stop fraudulent grain imports, which have hurt American organic farmers.
The Organic Farmers Association believes that meaningful, strong, consistent standards must be enforced equally among all sizes and types of organic operations.
“It is a threat to the entire organic community when the USDA is not doing their utmost to enforce the plain language of the Organic Food Production Act and the Final Rule to protect organic integrity,” said Riddle.
To view the recent statement issued by the USDA on hydroponics, visit https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAAMS/bulletins/1cde3b0.