WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking the initiative to build the next generation of organic producers and strengthen organic supply chains. USDA announced this week that it will launch a new $300 million Organic Transition Initiative, and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) welcomes this decision.
"Today's announcement is the largest single investment in organic by USDA and is a big step in the right direction," said Tom Chapman, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of OTA, in a press release from the association. "For too long, organic agriculture has been underrepresented in government programs and support, and farmers wanting to transition to organic face steep hurdles in accessing tailored organic-appropriate programs and resources at USDA. OTA has long advocated for better resources to help farmers overcome barriers to transitioning to organic, and we look forward now to helping to ensure that implementation of these programs meet the needs of organic and transitioning farmers and support the goals of the overall sector."
The new initiative is funded in part by the American Rescue Plan. USDA distributed a press release announcing the initiative on Monday.
"The initiative will deliver wrap-around technical assistance, including farmer-to-farmer mentoring; provide direct support through conservation financial assistance and additional crop insurance assistance, and support market development projects in targeted markets," the USDA release stated.
OTA identified components of the initiative anticipated to have the most impact on organic, including:
- Strengthening USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) staff expertise in organic agronomy and certification
- Investing in regionally specific technical assistance for transitioning organic farms
- Providing direct support and incentives to help farmers participate in crop insurance
"This initiative will have lasting positive impacts on organic agriculture. And that will mean an expansion of climate-smart agriculture practices, more economically sound rural communities, more help for beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, and increased access to organic foods for consumers. We're eager to support USDA's initiative and to continue to advance organic," said Chapman.
As the organic industry continues to progress, stick with ANUK for the latest updates.
