The House of Representatives started working on funding FY 2020
Update from Mark Rokala, OFA Policy Director
The House of Representatives started work on funding the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020 last month. The topline budget number is needed to determine how much money each appropriation subcommittee can spend.
So, how does this impact organic farmers?
The $18 million we asked for the NOP stands a good chance of being lowered, along with organic data funding and other programs used by our members. We will work with other organic advocacy groups to educate the Senate on the value of our organic programs. If needed, we will be reaching out to you to lobby your local Congressional staff.
The House had based its 2020 budget work on a $24.31 billion budget, more than $5.1 billion above the budget request.
On the Senate side, we are waiting for the results of the Senate Republicans and the Administration’s decision on FY20 funding before taking the next step for the Ag Appropriations bill.
OFA staff expect the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Committee to base this year’s bill on last year’s funding level. We should expect to see flatline spending from many programs.
The House bill included language telling USDA to implement the 2015 Origin of Livestock Rule to close loopholes in the organic regulations. We still need your help to request that the Senate Appropriations committee include the same language. Thank you to all who have reached out to your elected officials, and there is still time to do so if you haven’t already!
Spending levels and policy changes for your favorite programs are still a long way from being finalized. Please keep an eye out for any OFA legislative alerts during the summer and early fall.
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Organic Farmers Association members support a strong voice for organic farmers in Washington, D.C.
The Organic Farmers Association is the ONLY national organization where solely independent certified organic farms determine its policies and work agenda. OFA was founded on the belief that the voice of farmers like you should carry the most weight in agricultural policy decisions.
In recent years, OFA has made a difference by putting significant pressure on the USDA to finalize the Origin of Livestock Rule to help organic dairies and finalize the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to stop organic fraud and increase enforcement. We testified and advocated to allow paper pots for small-scale vegetable growers, introduced the ODAIRY Act of 2023, and advocated for stronger animal welfare standards for organic livestock and poultry production (OLPS Rule).
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U.S. certified organic farmers should select this membership. Only farm members are eligible to vote on Organic Farmers Association policy positions and priorities. International farmers, or farms that are not certified organic, should select the Supporter Membership.
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Not a certified organic farmer, but want to support the organic farmers that make our planet and food systems a better place? Supporter members will be connected to the discussions about policies that affect organic farmers, and be called to advocate on their behalf.
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Organizations that have a significant membership (or stakeholders) of certified organic farmers should select this membership. Organization Members receive the tools they need to advocate for policies important to organic farmers and extend their network.