Shaping Agriculture Coverage for a Sustainable Future

At OFRF, we proceed to work intently with coalition companions to stay conscious of the ever-evolving panorama of agriculture coverage on the federal stage. For this March’s Coverage Nook, I needed to share all the work we’ve been as much as this yr and what we’re wanting ahead to. 

Earlier this month, OFRF submitted feedback on the Pure Useful resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Conservation Apply Requirements (CPS) and the Agricultural Advertising and marketing Service’s Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI). These are important alternatives to spotlight the conservation and financial advantages associated to natural administration. You possibly can check out our feedback on our advocacy web page. Please attain out in case you have any questions!  

Together with this advocacy associated to the chief department, we’ve continued to be engaged within the legislative course of associated to our priorities. The Farm Invoice, the eternal gobstopper of a coverage matter, continues to lurch from hopeful timelines within the spring to calls to lengthen the 2018 insurance policies one other yr. We are going to proceed to have interaction on this significant piece of laws because it is among the most important policy-drivers in the USA meals system. That’s why we had been in DC final month with our companions on the Nationwide Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. We talked with Representatives and Senators concerning the significance of natural agriculture analysis, persevering with to construct momentum for the Strengthening Natural Agriculture Analysis (SOAR) and the Natural Science Analysis Funding (OSRI) Acts.

Just like the agriculturalists up within the northern a part of the nation, now can be the time we’re planting seeds for FY25 appropriations, whilst we quickly carry a near the FY24 Agriculture Appropriations course of. We’ve been sending detailed requests to legislators’ places of work concerning the impression of natural agriculture analysis on their districts and states. We’ve additionally been busy drafting written testimony that can be submitted to each chambers’ agriculture committees, ensuring that the case for expanded natural analysis is placed on document. Lastly and most significantly, we’re scheduling conferences with appropriators to make sure they perceive the significance of natural agriculture to their states and the nation. As soon as these paperwork are submitted, we are going to share them with you all!

However, wanting ahead to the remainder of the yr, we’re excited concerning the alternatives forward of us. Arising later this month is the Nationwide Natural Coalition’s fly-in, a crucially vital venue for the natural motion to make use of our voice to lift consciousness concerning the payments and packages vital to it. Later in Could, we can be on the Natural Commerce Affiliation’s annual Natural Week, the place we’ll be sharing updates on the state of natural analysis with natural business representatives and taking part in congressional conferences to carry this info to legislators. 

One thing we’re very enthusiastic about, although, is the upcoming August recess and the flexibility to not simply inform legislators concerning the significance and impression of analysis initiatives however present them. In case your establishment or farm is taken with organizing an in-district assembly or subject day in August/October, tell us so we are able to work with you to speak that chance to legislators throughout recess! We’re additionally taken with listening to concerning the logistical and administrative burdens of operating a profitable subject day. Please attain out to me at gordon@ofrf.org with insights!

Eat properly,

Gordon