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The daybreak of a brand new 12 months at all times brings new alternatives. This 12 months, we’re persevering with our work to advocate for expanded public investments in natural agriculture analysis. To be sincere, 2024’s political panorama is admittedly daunting:
- FY24 appropriations nonetheless must be handed by the top of the month.
- The Farm Invoice is working up towards a new March deadline.
- The FY25 appropriations course of is about to start.
- There’s a Presidential election on the horizon.
That being stated, at OFRF, we see these occasions as alternatives to make sure natural agriculture will get the popularity it deserves.
As we highlighted final month, 2023 was a momentous 12 months for natural coverage growth within the regulatory area. In 2024, we hope to carry that momentum to the legislative physique and work with our coalition companions to amplify our voices and name for elevated public investments in natural agriculture analysis.
To do that, we have now two major initiatives. First, we’ll proceed to construct broad help for the Natural Science and Analysis Funding (OSRI) Act within the Senate and the Strengthening Natural Agriculture Analysis (SOAR) Act within the Home. In the event you nonetheless must get acquainted with these important marker payments, try these hyperlinks for an summary and a few data on how one can assist unfold consciousness about them. Second, we’re dedicated to making sure that appropriators comprehend the pressing want for elevated funding in agricultural analysis and the far-reaching affect these investments have on the nation- economically, ecologically, and socially.
Together with the SOAR and OSRI Acts within the 2024 Farm Invoice is greater than only a step ahead in reaching parity between natural agriculture’s share of USDA analysis funding (at present <2%) and its market share (>6%). Extra importantly, these investments will contact the lives of communities nationwide.
Agricultural analysis packages lengthen past answering producers’ queries or supporting early-career scientists—though they excel at each. These packages considerably profit the agricultural communities actively taking part in and internet hosting important analysis initiatives. Notably, each greenback invested in public agricultural analysis generates a powerful $20 of advantages. Regardless of this documented affect, public funding for agricultural analysis has seen a 20% decline because the flip of the century, in stark distinction to elevated funding in different analysis areas throughout the identical interval.
Recognizing the urgency of the state of affairs, we’re intensifying our efforts in appropriations advocacy, guaranteeing that the places of work of appropriators perceive the important significance and affect of the packages beneath their management.
Nonetheless, for us to maximise our effectiveness, we’d like your assist! In case you have a narrative involving a analysis discovering, participation in a analysis venture, or a persistent analysis query that wants answering, please use our story kind to contribute and assist us increase consciousness!
As at all times, please attain out if you wish to get entangled or are interested by our work! gordon@ofrf.org
Eat effectively,
Gordon
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