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Farm Bill News

May 22, 2013

The Senate is considering two amendments to the Farm Bill that impact organic:

To show your support for these amendments, please contact your Senators.

 

May 20, 2013

Senate and House ag committees marked up their versions of the Farm Bill last week. See a recap of key amendments:

• Commodities and Crop Insurance
• Conservation
• Beginning, Veteran and Minority Farmers
• Local Food and Rural Development
• Research and Organic
• Harmful Amendments

May 15, 2013

The Senate Ag Committee's new five-year farm bill includes reforms to commodity subsidies, improvements to crop insurance, and support for programs aimed at beginning farmers and rural development. A number of amendments made it into the bill, including one that ensures access to FSA credit for farmers producing for local and regional markets.

The committee's bill also missed some opportunities for organic and beginning farmers, specifically with equalizing payments for organic and transitioning farmers in the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Read an analysis of the bill from MOSES' partner in policy, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

 

May 14, 2013

The Senate Ag Committee is meeting today to add amendments to its version of the Farm Bill. The House Ag Committee will meet tomorrow. Learn more about what's in these bills.

These are the House Ag Committee members that will be marking up their version of the Farm Bill tomorrow. If any of these members are your representative, please make a call or send an email to request support for organic programs in the Farm Bill. The bill before them shortchanges organic programs, including certification cost share.

ALABAMA -- 
Martha Roby (R-AL-2)  (202) 225-2901
Mike Rogers (R-AL-3)  (202) 225-3261
ARKANSAS -- Eric A. "Rick" Crawford (R-AR-1)  (202) 225-4076
CALIFORNIA --
Jim Costa (D-CA-16)  (202) 225-3341
Jeff Denham (R-CA-10)  (202) 225-4540
John Garamendi (D-CA-3)  (202) 225-1880
Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1)  (202) 225-3076
Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-CA-35)  (202) 225-6161
Juan Vargas (D-CA-51)  (202) 225-8045
COLORADO -- Scott R. Tipton (R-CO-3)   (202) 225-4761
CONNECTICUT -- Joe Courtney (D-CT-2)  (202) 225-2076
FLORIDA -- Ted S. Yoho (R-FL-3)   (202) 225-5744
GEORGIA --
Austin Scott (R-GA-8)   (202) 225-6531
David Scott (D-GA-13)  (202) 225-2939
IOWA --  Steve King (R-IA-4)  (202)225-4426
ILLINOIS --
Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17)   (202) 225-5905
Rodney Davis (R-IL-13)  (202) 225-2371
William L. Enyart (D-IL-12)   (202) 225-5661
MASSACHUSETTS --  James McGovern (D-MA-2)  (202) 225-6101
MICHIGAN --  Dan Benishek (R-MI-1)  (202) 225-4735
MINNESOTA --
Collin C. Peterson, Ranking-Member (D-MN-7)  (202) 225-2165
Richard M. Nolan (D-MN-8)  (202) 225-6211
Timothy J. Walz (D-MN-1)  (202)225-2472
MISSOURI -- Vicky Hartzler (R-MO-4)  (202) 225-2876
NORTH CAROLINA -- Richard Hudson (R-NC-8)  (202)-225-3715
Mike McIntyre (D-NC-7)  (202) 225-2731
NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Ann M. Kuster (D-NH-2)  (202) 225-5206
NEW MEXICO  -- Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM-1)  (202) 225-6316
NEW YORK --
Chris Collins (R-NY-27)  (202) 225-5265
Christopher P. Gibson (R-NY-19)  (202) 225-5614
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY-18)  (202) 225-5441
OHIO --
Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH-11)  (202) 225-7032
Bob Gibbs (R-OH-7)  (202) 225-6265
OKLAHOMA -- Frank D. Lucas, Committee Chairman (R-OK-3)  (202) 225-5565
OREGON --  Kurt Schrader (D-OR-5)  (202) 225-5711
PENNSYLVANI -- Glenn Thompson (R-PA-5)  (202) 225-5121
SOUTH DAKOTA -- Kristi L. Noem (R-SD-At Large)  (202) 225-2801
TENNESSEE --
Scott DesJarlais (R-TN-4)  (202) 225-6831
Stephen Lee Fincher (R-TN-8)  (202) 225-4714
TEXAS -- 
K. Michael Conaway (R-TX-11)  (202) 225-3605
Pete P. Gallego (D-TX-23)  (202) 225-4511
Randy Neugebauer (R-TX-19)  (202) 225-4005
Filemon Vela (D-TX-34)  (202) 225-9901
VIRGINIA -- Bob Goodlatte, Vice Chairman (R-VA-6)  (202) 225-5431
WASHINGTON -- Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA-1)  (202) 225-6311
WISCONSIN -- Reid J. Ribble (R-WI-8)  (202) 225-5665

May 13, 2013

Now is a great time to contact your legislators about the support you'd like to see in the upcoming Farm Bill. Both the House and Senate agriculture committees are back at work on the 2013 Farm Bill. The marker bills (see April 25 post below) expand opportunities for organic and sustainable farmers, as well as beginning farmers and ranchers.

The lack of a farm bill to date has affected funding opportunities for farmers. Funding no longer exists for Organic Certification Cost Share, Value Added Producer Grants, and the Beginning Farmer/Rancher Program. MOSES is working with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition to promote passage of this bill. We are also working on reintroducing these funding opportunities in the 2013 farm bill. You can help by sharing with your legislators how lack of these programs has impacted your farm.

April 25, 2013

The Local Foods and Farm Act and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act include programs that promote a healthy and thriving food system both now and into the future.  Programs that support organic agricultural research, certification cost share, data collection and more are needed to expand our homegrown supply of organic foods.  With our aging farmer population, we need to provide technical assistance, marketing opportunities and access to land for beginning farmers and ranchers.  Call your representatives TODAY, and tell them how important it is that they sign on to both of these bills, and that they support their inclusion in any future farm bill. 

To call your Member of Congress:
US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121

To locate your Member on-line:
U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov
U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

 

March 12, 2013

The Senate is considering its version of the continuing resolution this week, creating an opportunity for organic farming supporters to encourage inclusion of "orphaned" programs such as Organic Data Initiative, Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative, and the National Certification Cost Share Program. The House version passed last week without any support at all for these important programs.

Please contact your Senators to voice your support for these programs. Also explain that the National Organic Program must be fully funded to maintain the integrity of the seal for consumers and producers alike.

Read more on the Organic Trade Association's website, which includes links to find your Senators’ phone numbers, or contact your Senators by e-mail.

 

March 5, 2013

The continuing resolution (CR) being discussed in Washington could have a positive impact on farmers. According to the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the CR would increase funding for direct farm operating loans and guaranteed farm ownership loans by roughly $200 million and $500 million, respectively. Farm loans, and in particular direct farm loans, are one of the most effective tools that USDA has to help beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers access farm land and equipment. Demand for direct farm operating loans has far exceeded supply for several years, so this funding increase is much needed. 

 

Jan. 22, 2013

MOSES Organic Specialist Harriet Behar attended meetings this month with the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition and the National Organic Coalition. Here are recaps:

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition: Over 70 people representing over 50 member organizations traveled from across the country for 3 days of training, strategy setting, and camaraderie as we prepared for the year to come. Members voted for a full slate of priority work for 2013; work on the farm bill, and agricultural appropriations continues in Congress this year, and attendees came together to prioritize key reforms and programs that are crucial to building health, prosperity, and equity for our nation’s farms, ranches, and communities.

National Organic Coalition: In addition to many House and Senate office visits, NOC members met with Secretary Vilsack and other key USDA staff. Among the topics discussed were:

-  The need for a greater availability of organic seed and organic seed research funding.
-  Streamlining of the Organic Certification process and paperwork.
-  The need for the WIC program to allow access to organic food for low-income communities.
-  Help with charting the growth of organic production  

NOC members were met with a very receptive response on these topics from the Secretary, and he closed the meeting by sharing that he believes that Organic is an integral part of the growth of US agriculture.  

Jan. 15, 2013

Secretary Vilsack appoints Dr. Francis Thicke to the National Organic Standards Board 

An organic farmer for over 30 years, Dr. Thicke currently operates an  80-cow, certified organic dairy in Fairfield, Iowa. He and his wife, Susan, are the 2012 MOSES Organic Farmers of the Year. In addition to farming, Dr. Thicke has been active in many environmental organizations including the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission, the Leopold Group Sierra Club in Southeast Iowa, and the Iowa Environmental Protection Commission.

Dr. Thicke's five-year term will begin January 24, 2013, replacing Barry Flamm, Ph.D. as one of the three environmentalists serving on the NOSB.

Jan. 2, 2013

The farm bill extension deal reached in negotiations between Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Vice President Joe Biden is a disaster for farmers and the American people. The nine-month extension was attached to the bigger fiscal cliff bill passed at the last minute.

Deal neglects funding for organic and conservations programs: Conservation Stewardship Program, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program and more federal programs that help organic and sustainable farmers succeed have no funding under this extension. Instead, focus and funding went to commodity subsidies--which had been completely eliminated in the earlier draft bills.

Read the response from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.

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Changes to crop insurance

UPDATE March 7, 2013:The RMA just released a fact sheet outlining the changes to its crop insurance coverage.

March 6, 2013: Changes to Organic Crop Insurance announced by Risk Management Agency
The 5% premium surcharge previously assessed against organic farmers who purchase federally subsidized crop insurance has been removed. Organic farmers will continue to receive conventional prices for some organic crops, although the USDA is working to add special “organic price selections” in the next two years for organic wheat, barley, oats, almonds, blueberries, and a few other fruits. RMA currently offers organic price selection for corn, cotton, and soybeans, as well as processing tomatoes, avocadoes, and fresh freestone peaches, fresh nectarines and plums in California. The farmer pays a higher insurance premium to receive these higher organic prices in case of crop failure. Organic farmers currently are required to share the organic inspection report with their insurance providers, so the provider can assess if good organic practices were used to grow the insured organic crop.

Crop yields for 2014 will be figured differently for organic farmers than for conventional farmers, with yields of up to 35% less than conventional used for some organic crops, depending on current USDA data for regional or national yield averages for a specific organic crop. The insurance premiums paid by the organic farmer would be less than conventional if they are insured at those lower yield projections. If an organic farmer has 10 years of crop yield histories for their own organic production, those actual figures can be used. Organic farmers insurance premiums paid and any payment by the insurer could be tied to the farmers' historical organic yields but at conventional prices, unless they choose to pay extra if there is an organic price selection available for that organic crop.

The full RMA audit report and a Q and A document detailing these changes, implementation and background can be found here:
http://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/05601-0006-KC.pdf

http://www.rma.usda.gov/pubs/rme/2013q&a.pdf

From the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition blog:
Beginning with the 2014 insurance year, RMA will now use actual transitional yields for organic crops.  While this is the appropriate policy, it remains highly problematic because the data being used is RMA’s own data and is based necessarily therefore on very thin evidence.  Only a quarter of organic farmers are enrolled in federal crop insurance and many of them have enrolled relatively recently.  Given the historic surcharge penalty, and given that most crop insurance policies still pay out at conventional rather than organic prices, it is likely that those enrolled, as a general rule, either had higher risks or were more risk averse.  Hence, current transitional yield data may very well be skewed in a way that still disadvantages organic farmers.  Until more organic farmers are enrolled and have accumulated actual production histories that are recorded with USDA, this will be a continuing problem.  However, the removal of the five percent premium surcharge should help considerably in this respect.

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Farm Bill Archived Stories

Dec. 26, 2012

Leaders in Washington have just a couple of days left (Dec. 28-Jan. 2) to address the farm bill -- which most likely will get attached to some kind of "fiscal cliff" legislation if it makes it through at all. To learn more about the issues at hand, see the following news stories:

Milk, grocery prices on the rise if Congress ignores farm bill Dec. 26, 2012
CBS News reports that it's unlikely that the farm bill will be included in a "fiscal cliff" deal yet this year. One reason: there isn't an agreed-upon bill to consider. Even though the Senate passed its version in June, the House farm bill, approved by committee in July, never made it through the GOP-controlled chamber, due primarily to disagreements over how deeply to cut food stamps.

Beware the Back-Door Farm Bill Dec. 20, 2012
Daniel Imhoff analyzes farm bill possibilities for the Atlantic, identifying "worrisome" provisions that "should sound alarm bells for anyone who cares about healthy food." These include restrictions on states' rights to regulate the import of food based on how it was produced; the "Monsanto rider" that fast-tracks GMO crop approval; weakened pesticide regulation; and, reversal of reforms designed to help smaller farms earn fair prices for meat.

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Blog

• Path to the 2012 Farm Bill: One Week to Go, What Next? Dec. 21
  Since Speaker Boehner pulled his Plan B from the House floor, it seems he has only two options left: He could reach a bipartisan deal and rely on a very substantial number of Democratic votes plus a bare majority (or not even) of Republican votes to fairly handily turn the deal into law. Or, he could throw the country into disarray by allowing tax hikes, budget-axe sequestration cuts, a Medicare crisis, termination of unemployment benefits, and a big spike in milk prices to take effect in order not to offend the far right of the Republican party.
• Stories from the Field: Show Me the Numbers – The Importance of Data Dec. 13
  Chris Schreiner, Executive Director, Oregon Tilth, explains why we need "solid numbers" to make a strong case in support of sustainable agriculture.
• Path to the 2012 Farm Bill: No Bill is Better than a Bad Bill Dec. 12
  NSAC reiterates the five key points that need to be included in an acceptable farm bill, and points out what could happen if a "bad" bill passes.
• What's at Stake: Data on Organic Farming Dec. 11
  NSAC interviewed MOSES Organic Specialist Harriet Behar about the importance of data collection on organic ag. The USDA has been collecting data on organic production as part of the Organic Production and Market Data Initiatives (ODI), which Congress first authorized in the 2002 farm bill and then funded in the 2008 farm bill. This data gives policymakers, organic farmers, and organic businesses information to make sound policy, business, and marketing decisions. Plans were in place to have ODI conduct a follow-on survey to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. But, until Congress takes action on the farm bill, ODI has no funding to proceed.

December 2012

Farm Bill and Agriculture Appropriations Options Heading Into December
As we close out on two full weeks of the lame duck session of Congress and head into the final three-week December marathon, there has been lots and lots of talk about farm bill options but little-to-no action. By contrast, there has been some action on the appropriations bills to fund the government, including USDA, for the rest of Fiscal Year 2013, though final action on an “omnibus” spending bill in December seems at best a very slim possibility.  Read more...

 

November 2012

For the sake of our nation’s health, our farmers, and our natural resources, we need Congress to do its job.  We need a better farm bill, and we need it this year!

What exactly do we mean by an equitable, sustainable, 21st century farm bill? 

INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF HEALTHY FARMS, FOOD, and PEOPLE

• Harness the economic power of local and organic food and small businesses to strengthen rural and urban communities and create jobs
• Grow the next generation of American farmers by providing the tools, training, and access to capital that beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers need to succeed
• Ensure access to fresh, healthy food for all – including those in need and in our schools

PROTECT OUR PRECIOUS AIR, SOIL, and WATER

• Reward farmers for their environmental stewardship by fully funding farm conservation programs
• Do not raid long-term conservation efforts to pay for short-term disaster fixes
• Link federal crop insurance support to conservation of wetlands and fragile soils

REFORM FARM SUBSIDIES and LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD

• Eliminate wasteful direct payments
• Target support to working farm families by closing loopholes that benefit mega-farms and millionaire investor
• Cap farm and crop insurance subsidies to improve fiscal responsibility
  

 

Oct. 11, 2012

We’re nearly two weeks past the Sept. 30 expiration of the Farm Bill, and, while it’s true the world hasn’t ended, many of the programs organic farmers rely on are either without funding or spending authority. Support is gone for programs such as the Farmers’ Market Promotion Program, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Grant Program, the Value Added Producer Grant program, Organic Certification Cost Share, and vital conservation programs that preserve the land’s capacity for farming.

At this point, the best scenario would be for Congress to pass a Farm Bill in the Lame Duck session between the Nov. 4 election and the new session in January. Next best would be that those lame ducks pass an extension to reauthorize programs (like those above) that were defunded by Congress’ inaction this summer. The worst scenario would be that Congress lets the bill slide until January, when they’d need to start all over again to create a Farm Bill in 2013.

You can do your part to encourage your Representative to create the best scenario. The voices of farmers and concerned citizens helped ensure riders in support of organic ag made it in the Senate version of the Farm Bill (see stories below). Your voice matters even more now. Tell your Representative which programs on the list above matter to you and why you want to see a Farm Bill passed before January.

Watch this page for updates, or follow the Action Alerts on the NSAC website—MOSES is one of the organizations in that coalition.

 

Sept. 27, 2012

Rather than addressing much-needed reform and providing immediate relief for drought-stricken farmers, House leadership left town without addressing the Farm Bill passed by their own House Agriculture committee on a bipartisan vote. An extension is in place--a lame-duck session in November and December may address the bill. On Oct. 1, conservation and dairy support programs will expire. The lack of a Farm Bill will cause uncertainty for farmers who start planning for the next crop season even before this year’s crops are harvested.

Please take 5 to let your representative know your thoughts. Help us push for organic certification cost-share, organic research, and conservation programs, and a vote on the Farm Bill in November/ December. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, which includes MOSES, has written an FAQ-style blog on the status of the Farm Bill.

To call your congressional representative, call the Congressional Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 or 1-800-828-0498.

Sept. 17, 2012

The Farm Bill Now coalition rallied at the U.S. capitol last week to urge Congress to pass a new, comprehensive, five-year farm bill before the current farm programs expire at the end of September. Since returning to the capitol a week ago, Congress hasn't acted on passing a farm bill.

If you'd like to light a fire under your Reps, now would be a good time to do so! Read below for talking points or go to the Take Action page from the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (of which MOSES is a member). NSAC has made it easy to send a quick message to your Reps. You just fill out an online form.

Sept. 10, 2012

Congress is back in session. Representatives should respond to the pressure they are getting from farm groups to pass a full 2012 farm bill before the current one expires Sept. 30. The drought experienced by many farmers in the central part of the U.S. will push legislators to pass some sort of farm relief package, but it is unknown how it would be funded or if it would be part of the more comprehensive 2012 farm bill process.

You can help ensure programs that support organic ag make it in the final farm bill. Contact your Senators and Representatives to tell them how these programs impact the economic viability of your operation. Here are a few “talking points” for you to share with your members of Congress.

1. Drought relief funding must not be taken out of conservation funds. It is these conservation projects that help farmers cope with weather-related issues, and cutting conservation funding would only lead to more problems in the future.
2. Organic certification cost-share should be funded as provided for in the Senate Farm Bill. This program aids small and mid-sized operations in accessing the organic marketplace and brings them into the “family” of certified organic growers, where they are encouraged through organic certification to continually improve their farm’s soil quality as well as the natural resources of their operation.
3. Organic research programs and the ATTRA program should be funded at the level provided for in the Senate Farm Bill. The research done on organic agricultural systems is incredibly important in helping organic farmers deal with production challenges and is also useful to conventional farmers who wish to lessen their dependence on synthetic and costly inputs. ATTRA provides production information on just about every topic relating to agriculture and has aided both beginning and experienced farmers.
4. The “biotech” rider in the House Ag Committee bill which removes the current limited environmental oversight of GMO seeds should be removed.  This rider directs the USDA to ignore Judicial injunctions against the planting of new Genetically Engineered crops until full environmental assessments have been done and is questionable under the constitution.
5. The 2012 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, has significant reforms to the current programs, and should be passed before Sept. 30, 2012. Reforms in the Senate or House versions include removal of commodity payments, tie crop insurance to conservation compliance, do not allow those who are not integrally involved in cropping their land from receiving agricultural payments meant for farmers, and encourage more local foods be used in school lunch programs. Passage provides farmers with the knowledge they need to make production decisions. An extension of the current farm bill would not bring the needed reforms, and would cut important programs that are funded in the Senate and draft House bills.

For more information see the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition website
and the Organic Farming Research Foundation website.

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August 15, 2012

Every five years, farm policies and spending are reviewed and changed under the Farm Bill process. With the current budget shortfalls, it is important that we make our voices heard. We want to be sure cuts are made fairly among the many programs, and policies are put in place to ensure organic agriculture continues to grow and flourish.
           During this August recess, your Senators and Representatives are home in their districts. Since the Senate and House bills are different in many areas--and could go to conference committee in the next month or two--this is a perfect time to get a hold of your representatives and let them know that organic farmers need the following programs:

1. Organic certification cost share should be funded as provided for in the Senate Farm Bill.
2. Organic research programs and the ATTRA program should be funded at the level provided for in the Senate Farm Bill.
3. The “biotech” rider in the House Ag Committee bill which removes the current limited environmental oversight of GMO seeds should be removed.
4. The 2012 Farm Bill, otherwise known as the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act, has significant reforms to the current programs, and should be passed before September 30, 2012. Passage provides farmers with the knowledge they need to make production decisions.  An extension of the current farm bill would not bring the needed reforms, and would cut important programs that are funded in the Senate and draft House bills.

For more information see the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition website
and the Organic Farming Research Foundation website.

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July 16, 2012

House Agriculture Committee approves farm bill legislation and moves it on to the entire House for consideration
by Harriet Behar, MOSES Organic Specialist

Congress is moving rapidly on the 2012 farm bill, with the Senate Agriculture Committee and then the full Senate approving a bill within the last 30 days, and the House Agriculture Committee finalizing their bill for House consideration on July 19.  There are many differences between the Senate’s final bill and this House Ag Committee bill, with the Senate bill more friendly to organic and sustainable farming programs.  Even after the full House votes on the bill, there will be a conference committee between the Senate and House before we see any final direction for farm bill programs covered in the next five years.  There will be further amendments to this bill on the House floor-- we still have a chance to change the areas that are problematic for organic.

Highlights of the final Senate farm bill and the House Ag Committee bill:

Organic certification cost share was continued in the Senate bill and discontinued by the House committee.

The House Ag Committee has deferred discussion on a proposal which would require much higher matching funds for organizations that receive beginning farmer or research grants, narrowing the opportunity for small and midsized groups to apply.  MOSES will be watching developments on this issue closely.

An amendment repealing poultry and livestock fair competition rules under GIPSA was passed by the House committee, but not by the Senate.

Both the House and Senate have some language to improve the crop insurance situation for organic farmers.

Overall, the House Ag Committee bill has higher cuts to nutrition and conservation programs than the Senate bill had, exact details are still being reviewed.

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July 12, 2012

House Ag Committee passes its version of 2012 Farm Bill by vote of 35-11. Language on organic crop insurance was extended from the 2008 Farm Bill. Several amendments passed to help beginning farmers and vets. Read more.

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June 27, 2012

The Agriculture Appropriations bill headed to the House contains a rider that promotes planting of genetically engineered seeds and serves only to offer “assurance” to agbiotech companies like Monsanto, not farmers. Representative DeFazio (D-OR) will introduce an amendment to strike this Monsanto rider from the final bill. Read more from the Center for Food Safety.

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June 21, 2012

The Senate passed the Agriculture Reform, Food, and Jobs Act by a vote of 64-35. The bill includes historic commodity payment limit reforms and renewed investments in a variety of sustainable farm and food programs, but a $3.7 billion cut to conservation programs on working farms and ranches.

Several major amendments adopted by the Senate made significant improvements to the bill:
Senator Brown (D-OH): rural development and beginning farmers
Senator Chambliss (R-GA): soil and wetland conservation
Senator Merkley (D-OR): crop insurance for organic farmers and
Senator Grassley (R-IA): commodity payment limit reform

The House Agriculture Committee plans to take up the farm bill after the July 4 recess, however, there are no plans to debate the bill on the House floor this summer. The current farm bill expires Sept. 30.

See the Senate Farm Bill's highlights and lowlights as they apply to organic farmers.

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June 20, 2012

Thanks for calling your Senators yesterday -- it worked! The Toomey Amendment that would have eliminated the Organic Certification Cost-Share program, a program that helped over 6,100 organic farmers become certified or maintain organic certification in 2010, was voted DOWN in the Senate.

The Merkley amendment to the farm bill was approved 63-36 by the Senate today. The amendment, which makes it easier for organic farmers to get crop insurance, was co-sponsored by Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, of Maine.

See the Organic Farming Research Foundation for more details on the good and bad aspects of the Farm Bill as it relates to organic farmers.

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June 2012

The Senate Agriculture Committee's version of the 2012 Farm Bill (Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act) is ready for debate in the full Senate. The National Organic Coalition has summarized the bill's provisions that affect organic agriculture. 

Two amendments of critical importance include a change to crop insurance, providing for full payment at an organic price and removing the 5% surcharge (Merkley amendment) and a dedication of 5% of the funds in crop and livestock breeding be dedicated to publicly available (non-patented) seeds and livestock breeds (Tester amendment). 

Call your senators today and tell them to support these amendments to the Farm Bill, and support  the future of organic agriculture. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121, ask to be connected your state’s senator. Check this page regularly for more action alerts as the next five years of farm policy is being decided in the next few months! 

More amendments that affect rural development:

Rural Development & Beginning Farmers

Soil and Wetland Conservation

Ensuring Open and Fair Markets Livestock Farmers & Ranchers

Commodity Payment Limit Reform

Crop Insurance Reform Amendment

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May 2012

Senate Agricultural Committee Passes Farm Bill
by Harriet Behar, MOSES Organic Specialist
We still have a long way to go, but the first step in the 2012 Farm Bill, or the 2012 Agricultural Reform, Food and Jobs Act, have been taken with the passage out of the Senate Ag committee of this bill.  Organic producers can be pleased that many of the problematic proposals that were present in the “secret” farm bill, discussed by the super committee that was supposed to develop budget cuts, have not reappeared in this bill.

The next step is for the full Senate to vote on this bill, which may occur sometime in early to mid summer, so there is time to push for programs that are not funded as we would like, as well as protect what we have in this bill, from being removed or cut.
           
The House is also looking at their own version of the farm bill, but they are not as far into the process as the Senate.  They should be working on their version of the bill by the end of June.         

A short snapshot of the Senate Ag Committee’s bill:
Organic Certification Cost Share-The Senate Ag Committee has blended the two organic certification cost share programs together (some eastern states had a different pool of money), and has proposed funding at $11.5 million/year, which should fully fund the program.  This program has some enemies in the House, so we will need to watch this closely.

Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative-The organic community wanted the program increased to $30 million per year, from the current $20 million.  The present amount in the bill is $16 million per year of mandatory funding.  U of WI has gotten quite a bit of grant money for their organic research under this program.  There appears to be good support in the Senate for this program, so it is not unrealistic to try and increase this dedicated to organic funding when it goes to the full Senate for a vote.

Organic Data Collection Initiative-The $5 million in mandatory funding was renewed in this farm bill.  This money is used both for biweekly market reports as well as the 2010 detailed Organic Production Survey.  If you have not seen either of these items, here are links:
Organic grains and feedstuffs: http://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/lsbnof.pdf
2008 Census of organic agriculture:  http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2007/Online_Highlights/Organics/index.php

Promotional Order- A surprise addition to the Senate Ag bill allows for discussion and possibly eventual implementation of an organic research and promotion order.  Sen Casey (PA) introduced this amendment which has two actions.  First, it fixes the existing exemption from conventional check-offs for organic operationsThe current exemption allows only 100% organic production to be sold from the operation, and this change would allow those who do not produce 100% organically labeled products on their farm to be able to opt out.   

Second, and the more controversial, this amendment would allow the organic sector to explore pooling funds through an industry assessment for the purpose of establishing a self-governing organic research and promotion board.  The Organic Trade Association lobbied to have this included in the bill, and they will be having webinars and town hall meetings in the next few months to develop stakeholder buy-in.  At this time, the check-off would be assessed across all organic commodities, and sizes of operations.   Numerous farmer groups have many questions on the organic check off based on their negative experience with other government run programs of this type.  Historically, there has never been a promotional order across a wide variety of commodities. Therefore, no precedent has been established that determines who will pay and who will decide how the dollars are spent.  These are some of the main issues that need to be clarified.

The process for this checkoff initiative includes an exploratory phase where the organic industry (OTA is the lead on this) will try to build agreement for the program, and if that is success, they would make an application to the USDA to put in place this assessment.  The next steps would be:  USDA would seek public comment through a proposed rule; USDA would conduct a referendum in which a super majority or 2/3 vote of support would be required from the industry to proceed.

If this remains in the farm bill until its final passage, the process of exploring whether this is a viable vehicle to grow organic into the future will be evaluated throughout the entire value chain during 2012 and into 2013. To learn more visit: http://www.ota.com/ORPP.html.

Food Safety Training for Farmers and Small Processors-Many groups fought hard for the inclusion of training funds into the Food Safety Modernization Act, which will be implemented sometime in the near future. The Senate bill did not include any funds for this training, and congress never has, even though it is a law.  If small and mid-sized operations are to continue having access to institutional markets as well as many wholesale and retail markets, they will need to meet whatever food safety regulations are put forward by the FDA, and/or the USDA.  This training is critical to provide the knowledge and tools so these producers can develop and implement scale appropriate food safety plans.

Agriculture and Food Research Initiative-AFRI- This very large pot of money funds large amounts of agricultural research, especially through land grant universities.  At this time, much of the plant breeding on varieties and hybrids is then given to private companies who insert a gene, and then sell this seed as a patented variety.  Many organizations are supporting a National Organic Coalition request that 5% be mandated from the budget for plant and animal breeding to provide nonGMO, non patented, publically available plant breeds.  If tax dollars are spent on this research, the public should have access to the results.

Other programs of interest:
Conservation on working lands- EQIP and CSP and crop insurance.  Cuts are on the horizon, with CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) taking the biggest cut.  Much of the direct commodity payment programs are being cut, with the new farmer safety net being put in taxpayer subsidized revenue based crop insurance. A large problem with this change is the structure of crop insurance compared to all other farm payment programs.  Crop insurance is the only program that does not tie any conservation compliance to payments.  Anyone in CRP, EQIP, CSP or receiving direct payments, is required to have in place a conservation plan, written specifically for their farm.  Since much of the farm subsidy payment is proposed to go to crop insurance, we need to push to include crop insurance with other programs that must have conservation compliance.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development- cut by half from the last farm bill to $10 million/yr.  MOSES and other organizations have received funding under this program, with the aging of the farmer community, and the difficulty in starting up new farms, this program is essential in providing future farmers for America.

Value-Added Producer Grants- WI has been a leader in receiving funds under this program, and was funded at $15 million/yr.  The Senate committee cut funding to 0.  These grants have resulted in many thriving rural businesses, and allowing small to mid scale farms to remain economically viable.

Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion- currently funded at $10 million, with proposed future funding at $20 million/yr, but the National Sustainable Ag Coalition would like to see it increased to $30 million. A popular program, but it stretched beyond its limit to service the huge amount of requests nationally.

 

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