Organic Production
Despite the fact that organic agriculture is one of the fastest growing sectors of American agriculture, the U.S. is currently experiencing a domestic shortfall of organically-produced food as consumer demand continues to outpace supply. Many producers are deterred from converting to organic production systems because of the high costs associated with conversion and organic certification. Considering the enormous potential organic practices have to increase farm revenue in our rural communities, preserve and enhance the environment, and provide nutritious food to our citizens, federal policies aimed at assisting farmers’ and ranchers’ transition to organic production should be a priority.
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and its members were successful at winning programs in the 2008 Farm Bill that take significant strides toward expanding assistance for organic producers, including:
- an increase in the funding level and maximum per-farm payments available for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, which assists farmers with the cost of organic certification;
- creation of the new Organic Conversion Assistance program within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program that will provide up to $20,000 a year in funding and technical assistance for farmers wanting to transition to organic production.