The 2023 Farm Bill – a multi-billion-dollar legislative package of food, farm, and conservation bills – begins with listening sessions, comment opportunities, and congressional hearings in 2022. The events leading up to a farm bill year are critical to shaping the final package, and articipation from the organic advocates is key to continuing to grow and strengthen our industry. This page will be updated with engagement opportunities, recap articles, and other helpful information leading up to the finalization of the 2023 Farm Bill.
FARM BILL LISTENING SESSION, AUGUST 22, 2022
Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) hosts the next farm bill listening session on August 22 at 12 p.m. EST at Terra State Community College in Fremont, Ohio. The hearing is opoen to the public and will be streamed live on YouTube.
FARM BILL LISTENING SESSION, JULY 25, 2022
The House Agriculture Committee held their fourth Farm Bill: Perspectives from the Field listening session on July 25, 2022 at Far-Gaze Farms in Northfield, Minnesota. Two Members of Congress co-hosted the event with approximately 130 members of the public participating in person. Audience members discussed topics including crop insurance, dairy policy, new and underrepresented farmers, and mental health.
FARM BILL LISTENING SESSION, JULY 22, 2022
On July 22, the House Agriculture Committee held a Farm Bill listening session in Carnation, Washington as part of their ongoing series of town hall events. Several OTA and community members testified in support of organic. Ryan Mensonides of Mensonides Dairy, WODPA, and Organic Valley requested stronger organic support within the Dairy Margin Coverage Program and underscored the need to fund organic processing infrastructure. Aimee Simpson of PCC Community Markets encouraged Congress to increase certification cost share to $1,500 and to target more support to transitioning operations. She also recommended a robust organic food system support plan, including organic accessibility in SNAP programs and urged Congress to increase land access opportunities for beginning farmers and expand organic technical assistance through land grant universities and other nonprofits. Lastly, Aimee asked Congress to strengthen organic by supporting the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic (CIAO) Standards Act, which will increase consumer confidence in organic by increasing transparency and accountability. House Agriculture Subcommittee Chair Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), who co-hosted the event with Congresswoman Kim Schrier, expressed strong support for organic agriculture and for organic dairy, specifically. The full listening session can be viewed on YouTube.
FARM BILL LISTENING SESSION, JULY 7, 2022
At the July 7 Farm Bill listening session in Fresno, CA, OTA member Jane Sooby of CCOF provided testimony before Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) and session attendees in support of increased support for organic agriculture in the next farm bill. "This is the most important Farm Bill of our lifetimes," said Jane. "The next six years will be critical in addressing the climate and economic challenges we face...Let’s leverage the potential of agriculture—especially organic agriculture—through creative policies that build a just and resilient food system." A recording of the full listening session is available on YouTube.
Photo courtesey of USDA, Bob Nichols, 2010. Federal staff from NRCS and EPA walk along a grassed waterway during farm tour.