A massive piece of legislation impacting how we grow our food is on the table.
During this fleeting moment of national attention, we’re rallying Cornucopia’s supporters to use their voices, keyboards, and passion to advocate for the inclusion of programs that bolster organic.
Those initiatives can be found in several smaller bills, known as “marker bills.” The more support they receive, the more likely they will make it into the Farm Bill.
The time to act is now. Make your voice heard and tell your members of Congress to support the following:
Opportunities in Organic Act This gives food and farming businesses a meaningful support system to take the jump to organic, making certification more affordable and providing resources to help farmers stay organic. The legislation has three main components: improvements to a crucial program that reimburses organic farmers for certification costs, funding for transition and resilience, and technical assistance. Tell your legislators to back the benefits of organic with long-overdue investment.
Organic Science and Research Investment Act (OSRI Act in the Senate) and Strengthening Organic Agriculture Research Act (SOAR Act in the House). Cornucopia recently signed on to a letter sent by our allies at the Organic Farming Research Foundation in support of programs that prioritize organic production research. Incorporating language from OSRI and SOAR into the 2023 Farm Bill, the letter states, would increase the resilience of US agriculture, create economic opportunity for organic producers, and ultimately improve ecological vitality. Support funding for organic research by sending an email to your Congressperson.
Agriculture Resilience Act This bill creates a clear focus on farm and food system resilience. It improves assistance to organic farmers participating in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, an important conservation initiative that helps farms become more resilient to extreme weather events. Tell Congress to support the Agriculture Resilience Act.
For more information on the Farm Bill, consult National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s guide to the Farm Bill process.
