Lawmakers in the United States are working on a bill to provide increased support for organic farmers in response to the growing demand for organic products. The Organic Market Development Act aims to enhance funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Market Development Grant program, enabling organic farmers to meet the rising demand for organic products. With bipartisan support, this legislation seeks to strengthen the organic agriculture industry and promote economic growth.
Increasing Support for Organic Farmers
Lawmakers in the United States are working on a bill to provide increased support for organic farmers in response to the growing demand for organic products. The Organic Market Development Act aims to enhance funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Market Development Grant program, enabling organic farmers to meet the rising demand for organic products. With bipartisan support, this legislation seeks to strengthen the organic agriculture industry and promote economic growth.
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The Importance of Organic Farming
The demand for organic food continues to rise, with organic agriculture sales reaching $60 billion last year. This highlights the need to equip organic farmers with the necessary tools to meet this growing demand. The Organic Market Development Act recognizes the importance of supporting organic farming and provides increased funding to ensure its sustainability.
Maine Senator Angus King emphasized the significance of supporting the organic food movement in his state, which contributes significantly to the agricultural economy. By strengthening organic processing, storage, and market opportunities, the bill aims to further boost the organic farming sector in Maine.
Enhancing the Organic Market Development Grant Program
The Organic Market Development Grant program plays a crucial role in supporting various aspects of the organic agriculture industry. It provides grants to assist organic farmers and producers in upgrading their equipment and facilities. However, the program’s current funding is limited, with a one-time allocation of $75 million through the Commodity Credit Corporation.
The Organic Market Development Act aims to maintain the annual $75 million funding for the program and provide an additional recurring $25 million starting in the 2024 fiscal year. This increased funding will enable more organic farmers and producers to access the necessary resources and tools to grow the agriculture economy.
Expanding Support for Cold Storage Facilities
The proposed bill also addresses the need for cold storage facilities, which are currently not covered by the Organic Market Development Grant program. By expanding the grant coverage to include cold storage, the legislation aims to support the successful development of organic farming.
Cold storage facilities are essential for preserving the quality and freshness of organic products. This expansion will not only benefit organic farmers but also contribute to keeping more money within rural farming communities by adding value to products before they are sold.
Bipartisan Support and Future Prospects
The Organic Market Development Act has garnered bipartisan support, with lawmakers from various states recognizing the importance of organic agriculture. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Angus King, Peter Welch, and Kristen Gillibrand, along with Representatives Chellie Pingree, Annie Kuster, and Andrea Salinas, have all co-sponsored the bill.
While the next farm bill is the logical place for the Organic Market Development Act, negotiations are still ongoing. Supporters of the bill remain hopeful that it will be included in the upcoming farm bill and ultimately realized to provide increased support for organic farmers and producers in the United States.