May 26, 2017
CapitalPress.com
7
House bill would increase organic research funding
By CAROL RYAN DUMAS
Capital Press
A bill to more than double
the annual funding for organ-
ic research through USDA is
being warmly embraced by
members of the organic com-
munity.
The Organic Research Act
of 2017 would boost annual
funding for USDA’s Organic
Agriculture Research and Ex-
tension Initiative from $20 mil-
lion a year to $50 million.
It was introduced last
week by Reps. Chellie Pin-
gree, D-Maine; Dan New-
house, R-Wash.; and Jimmy
Panetta, D-Calif.
OREI funding has been crit-
ical in solving problems and
developing ways for organic
farmers to increase productivi-
ty, prevent loss and streamline
their operations. But insuffi-
cient funding has led to unmet
research needs and opportuni-
ties, Pingree said in introducing
the bill.
U.S. organic sales now ex-
ceed $43 billion annually, up
from $19 billion 10 years ago
and $3.5 billion 20 years ago.
But domestic production
isn’t keeping up with consumer
demand — a missed opportuni-
ty for U.S. farmers. One prob-
lem is the dramatic increase in
demand hasn’t been met with
an increase in public invest-
ment in research, Pingree said.
Organic research is a top
priority for organic farmers,
said Kate Mendenhall, director
of the Organic Farmers Associ-
ation.
“Having more federal funds
dedicated to organic research
is a win-win-win for organic
farmers, conventional farmers
and consumers,” she said.
While organic research
clearly helps organic farmers,
conventional farmers also ben-
efit from more information on
cover crops, seeds and breeds,
crop rotation and soil health,
she said.
“When we improve soil
health and focus on growing
healthy food, all citizens bene-
fit,” she said.
Several members of the or-
ganic community applauded
introduction of the bill in writ-
ten statements and weighed in
on the need for more funding.
The Organic Trade Asso-
ciation said robust funding for
agricultural research is critical
for the advancement of organic
practices.
“The future of organic farm-
ers’ success is tied to discover-
ing new organic crop varieties,
developing breakthroughs in
pest and weed control, crop ro-
tation and the development of
effective and compliant farm
inputs,” said Lara Batcha, OTA
executive director and CEO.
The Organic Farming
Research Foundation has
pushed for the organic share of
USDA’s $3 billion in annual re-
search funding to at least reflect
organic sales, which is about 5
percent or 6 percent of all U.S.
food sales.
“At a time when demand for
organic food is increasing, it is
critical that we continue fund-
ing research that supports this
promising opportunity for rural
communities across the U.S.,”
said Brise Tencer, OFRF exec-
utive director.
Erin Silva, University of
Wisconsin organic-sustainable
cropping systems specialist,
said the benefits of OREI ex-
tend beyond the organic com-
munity.
“Research supported by
this program has furthered our
knowledge of soil health, soil
biology and agricultural resil-
ience — knowledge that will
contribute to the creation of
more sustainable and produc-
tive systems across all agri-
cultural approaches and com-
modities,” she said.
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