USDA Reorganization Could Threaten Organic Integrity and Critical Farmer Services

Last week, USDA announced a sweeping reorganization that would relocate nearly half of its 4,600 Washington, D.C.–based employees to five regional offices around the country. This change follows the loss of over 15,000 USDA employees through the administration’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP). The National Organic Program (NOP)—which oversees organic certification and protects the integrity of the organic label—was hit hard by the DRP, losing approximately one-third of its staff.

NOC is deeply concerned that this reorganization could further undermine the NOP’s capacity to fulfill its mission at a time when organic’s credibility and growth depend on robust oversight and enforcement. But the potential fallout doesn’t stop there. USDA’s reorganization could also jeopardize essential research functions and interrupt the critical services that farmers rely on from USDA agencies.

Earlier this year, NOC, alongside the Organic Trade Association and Organic Farmers Association, delivered a joint letter signed by over 1,300 organic farms, businesses, and organizations urging Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to protect the staffing and mission of the NOP. A well-staffed and fully functioning NOP is vital to maintaining trust in the organic label and supporting the continued growth of the $72 billion organic sector.

Both Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have expressed concerns about the reorganization plans, and the Senate plans to hold a hearing on July 30 with Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden to discuss the implications of the reorganization on USDA’s ability to serve farmers, support rural communities, and uphold its core responsibilities.

NOC will continue to monitor this situation closely and push back against changes that threaten the organic program or undermine USDA’s ability to serve farmers. We urge Congress to pause this reorganization until USDA can provide clear evidence that it will strengthen—not weaken—support for farmers nationwide.