Organic Issue Factsheets
Find issue overviews, action items, Farm Bill positions, and more on topics important to organic farmers
Download OFA’s recent factsheets to get the most relevant information on current organic farming topics, and use these factsheets to communicate key points on policy issues with your congress members.
O DAIRY Act of 2023
The Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY ACT) was introduced in October 2023 by Senator Welch (VT) to provide long-needed support for organic dairy producers. Similar to what conventional dairy has received for many years, the O DAIRY ACT will provide improved data collection, support to help cover dramatically increased input costs, and key investments in infrastructure.
Strengthening Organic Enforcement
The Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule, is a significant improvement to the USDA organic regulations. All operations will need to be in full compliance by March 2024. Spurred by a few high profile cases of fraudulent organic sales, this new regulation closes many loopholes and seeks to enhance the quality of organic audits and oversight.
Protect Organic Dairy Farms
After years of milk prices that do not cover the cost of organic production, organic dairy farmers in the US are in crisis and their farms are in dire need of improvements. Increased consolidation in processing and brand ownership and inconsistent enforcement of regulations by the underfunded NOP have led to oversupply and a low pay price. Immediate support to address dramatically increased organic input costs for organic dairy farms is urgently needed.
Opportunities in Organic, 2023 Farm Bill
Organic agriculture offers broad economic benefits, safeguards our natural resources, provides resilience in our domestic supply chain, and positions farms and ranches to thrive, even in droughts and other extreme weather. The U.S. needs to invest in comprehensive and easily accessible tools that build markets and remove barriers for organic and transitioning producers.
Organic Research in the Farm Bill
Organic research should prioritize helping organic farmers adapt to climate disruption, quantify the multiple benefits of organic production for the environment and public health, develop regionally-appropriate publicly-available seeds and breeds, and address organic production challenges with methods that reduce the need for inputs.
Farmer Protection From Buyer Bankruptcy
As the domestic organic market grows, organic farmers need protection from organic buyers who file for bankruptcy, as do farmers in other industries. The USDA has invested $300 in organic transition and organic market growth. In order for farmers to invest in organic transition, they need protections for secure markets.
Organic Certification Cost Share
The Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their organic certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). The OCCSP makes a real impact on small to mid-size family farms, where the cost of organic certification can be a real barrier to farmers' efforts to diversify their markets.
Why Hydroponics Shouldn't Be Certified Organic
Because hydroponic systems receive their nutrients from outside liquid sources and are container-grown rather than soil-grown, they cannot recycle nutrients or organic matter back into the soil. Thus, they do not provide the benefits to soil health that soil-based organic systems are required to do. Nor do they participate in the hydrological cycling that is such a critical ecoservice that organic farming provides.
Looking for more organic farming policy information? Find OFA’s policy positions and more here.