Farmers to Advocate for Organic Grain Policies in Washington D.C.

Farm Bill and Growing U.S. Organic Production to be Discussed

Washington, D.C., September 8,  2026—Organic grain farmers will gather in Washington, D.C. on September 15, to meet with legislators to advocate for supportive policies on key issues within the organic farming sector. The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is hosting this special Organic Grain Fly-In to advocate for the inclusion of a number of proposed policies in the Farm Bill. 

OFA hosts an annual farmer advocacy day each spring to coordinate meetings between farmers and their members of Congress and USDA leaders to discuss critical policy support for organic farmers. This additional late summer meeting will follow the same structure and is a response to long awaited movement on the Farm Bill. This is a chance to focus on issues of importance to organic grain producers with a concentration on Midwestern grain-producing states.

Key proposals the farmers will be highlighting include:

• THE ORGANIC IMPORT VERIFICATION ACT would promote organic integrity and a level playing field for domestic organic producers by requiring the USDA to test high-risk bulk imports of organic feedstuffs for residues of substances that are prohibited in organic production. In addition to adequate funding for core organic programs to meet the needs of the rapidly growing organic sector.
• THE DOMESTIC ORGANIC INVESTMENT ACT would grow domestic organic production by directing USDA to reduce reliance on imported organic goods, and would create competitive grants for domestic organic producers and manufacturers to allow for investment in storage, processing, aggregation, and distribution capacity facilities.
• THE GRAIN TRUST ESTABLISHMENT ACT would create a statutory Trust for the benefit of unpaid grain farmers. This act addresses a specific burden on commerce in grain. When grain purchasers (like elevators or mill operators) buy grain but don’t pay for it immediately, they may use that grain or the resulting products as collateral for loans. If the buyer goes bankrupt or defaults, the lender’s security interest often takes priority over the farmer, leading to the farmer not being paid, or even to clawback of payments already delivered. 
• Changes to CROP INSURANCE programs to ensure they work for organic farmers as well as conventional
  

“Organic farmers are uniquely positioned to inform national policymakers about the real challenges they face on their farms and to help shape effective, grounded solutions for expanding domestic organic agriculture. When farmers come to Washington, D.C., their voices take center stage where decisions are made,” said OFA Policy Director, Lily Hawkins.

In addition to these key priorities, farmers will highlight the urgent need for a new Farm Bill that supports the interests of organic producers as a whole. U.S. sales of certified organic products accelerated in 2025 reaching $76.6 billion with an annual growth rate of 6.8% according to the 2026 Organic Market Report released by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). However, growth in domestic organic acreage has not kept pace with demand. During the fly-in, the farmers will stress the importance of investing in our domestic organic farmers for national food security, rural development, and putting American farmers first in our domestic market.  

Anyone looking to get involved or support organic farmers can visit the OFA website and take action: organicfarmersassociation.org/take-action 

For more information about the Farm Bill policies OFA and organic farmers are advocating for, visit organicfarmersassociation.org/policy.

OFA organic farmer members can be made available for interviews by contacting OFA Communications Manager Madison Letizia.

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About Organic Farmers Association

The Organic Farmers Association (OFA) provides a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers. OFA builds and supports a farmer-led national organic farmer movement and national policy platform by developing and advocating policies that benefit organic farmers; strengthening and supporting the capacity of organic farmers and farm organizations; and supporting collaboration and leadership among state, regional, and national organic farmer organizations.