Organic Report Fall 2021 - Flipbook - Page 21
ADVOCA CY
Supporting farmers transitioning to organic
T
he key to maximizing the benefits of organic is to have
strong support for farmers transitioning into organic
agriculture. Despite the many benefits of organic
farming, less than one percent of domestic farmland is
certified organic today.
Many farmers face steep challenges and barriers when
seeking to transition to organic production. The arduous
three-year transition process is an important prerequisite to
becoming eligible for organic certification, but there is little
federal support to help farmers through this transition. Lack of
agronomic and technical assistance, access to credit and loans,
and adequate tools for managing on-farm risk are all
significant barriers farmers face during the transition process.
The Organic Trade Association has long advocated for a
wide range of multi-faceted support mechanisms to help
address and overcome the barriers to transitioning to organic
and help support farmers in successfully transitioning to, and
staying in, organic production. As a bright spot in U.S.
agriculture, the organic sector should command resources and
support that are proportionate to the growth and size of the
sector, and reflect the economic, environmental and health
benefits provided to organic farmers, businesses, and
consumers. Every dollar invested in organic agriculture drives
co-benefits for rural economic development, climate change
mitigation, and beyond.
Under USDA’s new leadership, we have a big opportunity
to make substantial progress in federal support for farmers
transitioning to organic. USDA has signaled an interest in
investing in organic transition through new cost-share funding
for transitioning farmers and in standing up an organic
transition pilot program.
This is an opportunity to meet USDA’s momentum with
our recommendations for big and bold investments in organic
programming and resources. By supporting transition to
organic, USDA will be incentivizing farmers to adopt climatefriendly agricultural practices, creating opportunities for
small- and medium-sized farms to thrive, and supporting
rural economic development.
In response to Secretary Vilsack’s call for comments on
USDA’s programs and spending related to increasing durability
and reliance within the U.S. food supply chain, we have
outlined a vision for a National Organic Transition Program at
USDA to support farmers transitioning to organic.
Financial, policy, and programmatic improvements are
needed to make certified organic production accessible to all
farmers who chose to participate in the organic market. A
comprehensive approach must focus on reducing financial
risks and improving risk management tools, developing
markets and improving processing and distribution
infrastructure, increasing access to land, capital and credit,
Organic Report • Fall 2021
expanding access to technical assistance, and removing
disincentives to transition. Funding and programming
priorities need to directly support socially disadvantaged
farmers, farmers with limited resources, and/or are
geographically isolated.
Existing USDA programs need to be improved and expanded
to support transition to organic. Expanding cost-share
assistance to transitioning farmers, improving access to
technical assistance, increasing conservation funding for
programs such as the EQIP Organic Initiative, and direct
financial assistance should be provided to producers
transitioning to organic. For example, conventional farmers
transitioning to organic production — an entirely distinct
farming system that requires investments and learning new
techniques — should be able to qualify under the definition of
beginning farmers for USDA programs that provide grants
and assistance to that population.
New grant programs should be established to fund
organizations implementing projects that address barriers to
transition, including technical assistance projects. Many
organizations are actively pursuing initiatives that can help
address some of the barriers to transitioning to and staying in
organic production. A specific focus should be on supporting
projects that can help address the shortage of organic-focused
technical assistance for transitioning farmers in the U.S. by
providing regionally adapted programs and services that
support farmers transitioning to organic. The Organic
Agronomy Training Service (OATS), sponsored by the
Organic Trade Association, is an example of an active project
that could be further supported by such a grant. Over the four
training events held in 2019-2020, OATS trained 140
agricultural professionals and technical service providers who
are now qualified to provide organic technical assistance to
over 6,000 farmers.
Establish a national certified transitional program to ensure
consistent verification, successful transition, and supply
chain development. Transitional certification can prevent
“surprises” for operations going through the certification
process, because the operation has been inspected and audited
during each year of its transition. Transparency in future
growth of organic acreage can facilitate appropriate business
planning and contract development for buyers and producers.
The program would also help develop transitional markets,
enabling a supply-chain premium for transitional crops that
can incentivize producers to move towards organic and can
reduce the financial burden that a three-year transition period
poses. USDA could reestablish the prematurely terminated
program under USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s
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