Why Appropriations Matters for Organic and What’s at Stake in FY 2027
Each year, Congress undertakes one of its most important responsibilities: deciding how federal dollars are spent. This process, known as annual appropriations, determines funding for government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
For the organic sector, this process is critical.
Why appropriations matterS for organic
While some organic programs receive mandatory funding through the Farm Bill, many important programs rely on annual appropriations.
That includes:
The National Organic Program (NOP), which enforces organic standards across a $76.6 billion marketplace
Critical research investments like the Organic Transitions Program and SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education)
These programs only exist if Congress funds them — every year.
The FY 2027 starting point: a troubling proposal
On April 3, 2026, the President released the FY 2027 budget — this proposal falls short for organic, sustainable agriculture, and local foods programs. For organic specifically:
National Organic Program: Flat-funded at about $23 million. Without increased investment, the program will struggle to keep up with the growth and complexity of the organic marketplace. NOC is also pushing for USDA to rehire critical NOP staff that were lost in 2025 as a result of the deferred resignation program.
Organic Transitions Program: Zeroed out in the President’s budget. This program supports research that helps farmers transition to organic production, including soil health, pest management, and regionally adapted practices. Without it, farmers seeking to switch to organic production are left without the tools they need to thrive.
SARE: Also zeroed out, eliminating one of the most effective farmer-driven research programs in the country.
Taken together, these proposals would weaken the infrastructure that supports organic farmers, businesses, and consumers. Our colleagues at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition have provided some additional analysis of the ways in which the President’s budget falls short of what farmers and rural communities need.
What happens next
Congress now takes over.
Lawmakers must pass appropriations bills by September 30, 2026 — though delays are common — and they are not required to follow the President’s proposal. This is where advocacy matters most.
Building bipartisan support for organic
The National Organic Coalition and our partners have been working closely with Members of Congress to ensure that organic priorities are included in FY 2027 funding legislation.
Members from both parties have signed “Dear Colleague” letters calling for robust funding for organic programs and organic research.
These letters send a clear message: organic matters in districts across the country.
Take action: say thank you
If your Member of Congress signed on to one of these letters, take a moment to thank them.
A simple thank you reinforces that supporting organic is good policy — and good politics. Reach out to us if you would like the name and email of the DC ag staffer for your Representative or Senator(s).
The bottom line
The appropriations process will shape the future of organic agriculture in the coming year.
At a time of market growth and mounting challenges for farmers, we need:
A better resourced National Organic Program
Continued investment in organic research
A federal commitment that matches the scale and importance of organic
Advocating for these priorities was a major focus of NOC’s recent hill day in Washington, D.C. NOC will continue pushing for these priorities in the months ahead.
Here is the full list of NOC’s FY 2027 appropriations priorities.