By Lily Hawkins, Policy Director

Congress is working to pass a budget package and continuing to work on the upcoming Farm Bill and Appropriations legislation. USDA Programs and Regulations continue to be reviewed by the new administration.

Organic Farmers Association Farm Bill Tracker (119th Congress)

With a continuing resolution to keep the government funded at current levels through September 30, 2025, House Republicans are working to pass a critical budget package this week. The huge bill includes elements of the Farm Bill, cuts to nutrition programs, and expanded tax benefits. 

Meanwhile, legislators are introducing and reintroducing Farm Bill marker bills. Bills that OFA supported during the 118th Congress need to be reintroduced in the new Congress elected last November.

These marker bills are not intended to pass on their own, but are a vehicle to introduce ideas and build support for policies in hopes that they’ll be included in the next Farm Bill. Marker bills with more bipartisan congressional support have a better chance of making it into the final version of the Farm Bill.

Use this tracker to learn more about the marker bills OFA is tracking and working on that may impact organic farming. As we make progress, we’re updating the tracker, so check back regularly for updates as Farm Bill conversations continue in D.C.

Find OFA’s supported 2024 Farm Bill marker bills from the 118th Congress here.

Members of Congress Send Letter to House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee

44 Members of Congress have signed a letter urging House Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Harris and Ranking Member Bishop to continue federal investment in organic agriculture as they consider funding for Fiscal Year 2026. 

They requested funding for the National Organic Program (NOP) at $24 million; $1 million for the Organic Data Initiative (ODI); and $1 million for the Organic Certification Trade and Tracking Program (OCTT), to support the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule and protect against fraudulent imports. 

Click here to read the full letter and view the list of bipartisan signers. 

Farmer Sign-On Letter to MAHA Caucus

Several organizations in the organic community are circulating a letter to members of the congressional Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Caucus asking for their support for organic policies. By signing the letter, farmers and farm groups advocate for the support of organic food and farming, highlighting its role as a voluntary, free-market solution to America’s health challenges. 

Read and sign the full letter here.

USDA to Deliver Second Round of MASC Payments to Specialty Crop Growers

Following a review of USDA funding, Secretary Brooke Rollins has announced the resumption of Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops (MASC) program payments, with a second round of support now available for specialty crop producers. This program, which initially had $2 billion allocated but was later increased to $2.65 billion, has already distributed close to $900 million. The MASC initiative helps these growers manage rising costs and expand their market reach.

MASC is designed to help specialty crop producers meet higher marketing costs related to:

• Perishability of specialty crops including fruits, vegetables, floriculture, nursery crops and herbs;
• Specialized handling and transport equipment with temperature and humidity control;
• Packaging to prevent damage;
• Moving perishables to market quickly;
• Higher labor costs.

MASC covers the following commercially marketed specialty crops:

• Fruits (fresh, dried);
• Vegetables (including dry edible beans and peas, mushrooms, and vegetable seeds);
• Tree nuts;
• Other specialty crops.

USDA Completes Review of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP)

The USDA has finished its review of the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP) and cleared the program to resume approving and processing payments for all TOPP agreements. AMS is focusing first on processing payment requests for work done after January 20, 2025. 

Once payments are fully up and running again, the USDA plans to contact each TOPP lead partner to discuss upcoming work under the agreements and establish a clear schedule to finish the initiative a year early, by the end of 2026. For any questions, please reach out to your regular TOPP contact.

OFA has also heard that Organic Market Development Grants have completed agency review and that current contracts will be honored. Further details may not be available until after Dudley Hoskins is approved as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs.

OFA continues to track the impacts of recent Executive Orders, including frozen federal funds, tariffs, and disruptions in USDA staffing. If you are being impacted by these policies, please reach out to Policy Director Lily Hawkins (lily@organicfarmersassociation.org) or Farmer Services Director Julia Barton (julia@organicfarmersassociation.org) for assistance in reaching out to your legislators. 

AMS Proposes Rescission of the New Mushrooms and Pet Food Rule

Last week, the organic community was dismayed to learn of the Agricultural Marketing Service’s proposal to rescind the “National Organic Program; Market Development for Mushrooms and Pet Food” rule issued in late 2024. 

The proposal is open for public comment through June 11, 2025. For further information and instructions for submitting a comment, visit the announcement on the Federal Register or contact Erin Healy, Director, Standards Division, National Organic Program at Erin.Healy@usda.gov.