To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to expand the national organic certification cost-share program into a comprehensive organic program, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · May 11, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023 expands and redesigns the federal government's support for organic farming by transforming a certification cost-sharing program into a comprehensive organic initiative. The bill helps farmers and food handlers afford organic certification (capped at $1,500 per operation, with exceptions for disadvantaged farmers and high-cost regions) and provides substantial funding to nonprofit organizations that support farmers transitioning to organic practices and building organic supply chains. Eligible nonprofits can use grants to recruit farmers, provide technical assistance, offer financial support, establish processing infrastructure, conduct on-farm research, and help socially disadvantaged farmers access land and resources. The bill also directs the Department of Agriculture and universities to expand organic-related technical assistance across regions. Funding would grow from $50 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to $100 million annually by 2027 and 2028, with organizations required to report quarterly on transition progress and annually on participant demographics and outcomes.
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