{"id":2925,"date":"2025-04-10T12:29:29","modified":"2025-04-10T15:38:37","slug":"senators-fetterman-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-support-organic-farmers-increase-agricultural-research","link":"https:\/\/www.fetterman.senate.gov\/senators-fetterman-schiff-introduce-legislation-to-support-organic-farmers-increase-agricultural-research\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators Fetterman, Schiff Introduce Legislation to Support Organic Farmers, Increase Agricultural Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Washington, D.C. <\/strong>\u2013 Yesterday, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced the Organic Science and Research Investment Act<\/em>. By ensuring organics research is prioritized at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and increasing funding for research agencies and universities, this bill would provide much needed support to the organic farming industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPennsylvania is home to some of the best organic farmers in the world \u2013 and we need to support them in every way possible,\u201d said Senator Fetterman.<\/strong> \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce this bill to increase organics research within the federal government and at our leading research institutions to ensure our commonwealth can remain on the cutting edge of this growing industry. I\u2019m grateful for Senator Schiff\u2019s partnership as we work to pass this crucial support for American farmers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAmerica\u2019s agriculture is the envy of the world, and agriculture research is essential to ensuring that food and farm organizations have the resources they need to grow food affordably, safely, and sustainably,\u201d said Senator Schiff. <\/strong>\u201cCalifornia is a leader in organic farming, and this legislation is essential for California farmers as they continue to be a driving force in the organic market.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Organic Science and Research Investment Act\u00a0<\/em>would require USDA\u2019s research agencies to better coordinate on organic research and extension, ensuring that the USDA considers organic research priorities in its budget justification to Congress and studies the feasibility of certifying more research land as organic. The bill would also increase funding for the USDA\u2019s Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), which supplies grants to universities and other research institutions for organics research and has\u00a0provided\u00a0over $12 million for organics research at Penn State University alone. Additionally, the\u00a0Organic Science and Research Investment Act<\/em>\u00a0would build on existing organic research by creating a statutory grant program to support producers as they transition to organic production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Organic farming has a significant economic impact in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth\u2019s 1,125 certified organic farmers \u2013 the fourth most in the nation \u2013 produced and generated over $1 billion in organic commodities in 2021. The Organic Science and Research Investment Act<\/em> would expand investments in this prosperous industry to support efforts to increase production in Pennsylvania and across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Organic Science and Research Investment Act<\/em> is cosponsored by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Angus King (I-ME). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bill is endorsed by April Joy Farm, Beyond Pesticides, California Climate and Agriculture Network, Center for Food Safety, Climate Land Leaders, Dairy Grazing Alliance, DiMatteo Consulting, Dr. Bronner’s, Farm Aid, Friends of the Earth, Funders For Regenerative Agriculture, Hanover Co-op Food Stores, Healthy Way Market, Humble Snacks Inc., Hummingbird Wholesale, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, Kamut International, Ltd., Kind of Wild Wines, Molino Creek Farm, Narrative Food, National Organic Coalition, Natural Grocers, Nature’s Path Organic Foods, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, North American Climate, Conservation and Environment (NACCE), Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Northeast Organic Farming Association of CT (NOFA-CT), Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH), Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), Northeast Organic Farming Association-Interstate Council (NOFA-IC), Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM), Organic Farmers Association, Organic Seed Alliance, PASA, Pesticide Action and Agroecology Network, Riverside Natural Foods, Rodale Institute California Organic Center, The Land Connection, The Synergy Company of Utah, BLLC, Twin Oaks Dairy LLC, Wild Farm Alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read the full bill text here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false}}