The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023, legislation introduced in the House and the Senate, would provide desperately needed financial and technical assistance for farmers transitioning to organic production. With the 2023 Farm Bill focusing the nation’s attention on how we grow our food, the time to stand up for organic is now. Tell your legislators to back the benefits of organic with long-overdue investment.
The shift to organic production requires grit. The required transition period is three years, a rocky road that famers endure without financial support. Yet their investment benefits us all. Organic farming builds healthy soil, fosters local food systems, and reduces exposure to toxic chemicals. It helps ensure the long-term health of our communities.
What can you do to support farmers transitioning to organic?
Contact Congress
Email your representatives telling them you support The Opportunities in Organic Act. Find contact information at www.house.gov (use the “Find Your Representative” box at the top right, then locate the Contact tab on your member’s website). Your senators can be found at www.senate.gov (go to the “Find Your Senators” tab and then “Contact.”)
Talking Points
Dear Senator/Representative:
I am your constituent and urge you to support The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023:
- Farmers need financial and technical assistance to help address challenges encountered while transitioning to organic — a farming system that’s healthier and more resilient — and to create sustainable business models.
- Organic farming benefits rural economies, the environment, and reduces exposure to toxic pesticides. We need more organic farmers.
- The Opportunities in Organic Act reduces barriers and minimizes risks for farmers transitioning to organic by providing needed financial and technical assistance. Our communities and our state benefit when more farms go organic.
- The Opportunities in Organic Act makes organic practices more accessible for community-scale farmers and producers from socially disadvantaged groups.
Can you help Cornucopia measure the collective impact of its supporters? Let us know if you’re planning to take action by checking the box below.