Opportunities in Organic Act Reintroduced with Strong Bicameral Support
The National Organic Coalition is pleased to share that the Opportunities in Organic Act has been reintroduced in Congress, with leadership from Senator Peter Welch and Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Alma Adams.
The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
This legislation is a critical opportunity to reduce barriers to organic farming, strengthen organic supply chains, and ensure that farmers have the support they need to transition to—and remain in—organic production. As demand for organic food continues to grow while domestic production lags, the bill offers a timely and practical investment in U.S. organic agriculture.
Importantly, the Opportunities in Organic Act would also provide a path forward to carry on and build upon the transition support and technical assistance models currently being implemented through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), which is set to conclude in 2026.
NOC thanks Senator Welch, Representatives Panetta and Adams, and the many Members of Congress and organizations supporting this legislation. We look forward to working with partners across the organic community to advance this bill and ensure farmers have the tools they need to succeed.
What the Opportunities in Organic Act Would Do
The Opportunities in Organic Act would expand and strengthen existing USDA programs to better support farmers and producers navigating organic transition and certification. Specifically, the bill would:
Increase technical assistance to help producers adopt and maintain organic practices
Modernize and expand organic certification cost-share, including an increased reimbursement rate of $1,500 per operation per scope and flexibility for USDA to exceed these levels for underserved producers and regions
Provide additional support for institutions and NGOs that help farmers transition to organic and build organic supply chains
Endorsements
The Opportunities in Organic Act has been endorsed by the following organizations and companies:
Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA); Beyond Pesticides; California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF); Carolina Farm Stewardship Association; Environmental Working Group; Dr. Bronner’s; Family Farm Defenders; Farm Aid; Friends of the Earth; Greensward New Natives LLC; Green America; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Marbleseed; Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance; National Co+op Grocers; National Family Farm Coalition; National Organic Coalition; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Natural Grocerse; New Entry Sustainable Farming Project; Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts (NOFA-MA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT); Northeast Organic Farming Association – Interstate Council; Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ); National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association; OneCert, Inc.; Oregon Tilth; Organic Farmers Association; Organic Farming Research Foundation; Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Trade Association; Organically Grown Company; Quick Organics; PCC Community Markets; Sierra Harvest; Slow Food USA; Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC; The Cornucopia Institute; The Land Connection; Union of Concerned Scientists; University of Minnesota Student Organic Farm; Virginia Association for Biological Farming; and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
👉 Learn more about the Opportunities in Organic Act
👉 Read the full bill text