Written by Vinnie Trometter and Gordon Merrick
As we alluded in last month’s Policy Corner, there is some semblance of good news legislatively regarding OFRF’s policy priorities! Reps. Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07) and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) introduced OFRF’s flagship marker bill, the Organic Science and Research Investment (OSRI) Act in the House of Representatives with broad sector support. With a companion bill already introduced in the Senate by Sens. Fetterman (D-PA) and Schiff (D-CA), this legislation is now introduced in both chambers.
At its core, the OSRI Act is about finally investing in the research capacity needed to keep pace with a fast-growing organic sector. This bill would:
- Increase funding for the only two USDA research programs dedicated to organic research: the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and the Organic Transitions Program (ORG).
- Direct USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area to catalog existing organic research and recommend pathways to expand the work.
- Charge the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) to examine the economic impact of organic agriculture on rural and urban communities.
- Continue the growth of the Organic Data Initiative, ensuring robust market and production data remains available to farmers, businesses, researchers, and policymakers.
Taken together, these provisions would strengthen the scientific foundation of organic agriculture, ensure farmers have access to regionally relevant research, and support a new generation of scientists committed to agroecological approaches.
Bipartisan By Design
The bipartisan approach we are pursuing is an intentional attempt to communicate that the growth of the organic agriculture sector is a national priority, not a partisan project, and we aim to have the cosponsor list reflect that reality.
While quiet support for organic agriculture does exist across both parties, public leadership on organic issues has historically been stronger among Democrats. That’s shifting. Interest in soil health, regenerative systems, and farmer-driven innovation is growing in Republican circles, but many offices prefer to see key agricultural interests and members support policies before they cosponsor legislation.
This strategy is especially important because the House introduction occurred at the outset of what has become the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history. In an environment where basic governing has become difficult, moving new legislation requires patience, persistence, and a fundamentally nonpartisan posture. That is exactly how OFRF operates, and we are here to meet this moment.
Moving Forward
Because of the current political landscape exacerbated by the current shutdown, Farm Bill 2.0 discussions have slowed to a standstill. But this pause also creates space. As Congress turns back toward core Farm Bill negotiations in the coming months, the OSRI Act is well-positioned to gain traction, especially if organic research is understood as an economic development and competitiveness package rather than a niche priority.
That’s why your outreach matters.
Over the coming months, OFRF will continue to share targeted district-level information, elevate producer voices, and build bipartisan support so that organic research is properly valued, and fully funded, in the next Farm Bill. Check out our Communicating with Legislators course and reach out to us to get started!
OFRF and our allies are continuing to meet with Congressional offices to highlight how organic research delivers tangible benefits to farmers through practical tools to strengthen on farm resilience, expanded market opportunities, and rural economic revitalization.
At a moment when the organic sector is the fastest growing segment of U.S. agriculture, the need for its fair share of research investments has never been clearer. Farmers are on the front lines of climate disruption and supply-chain volatility, and organic research projects have actively provided methods to help them continue to thrive.
When the tide rises for organic research, all producers benefit.
Stay tuned for more, and thanks for being in this work with us.
Vinnie and Gordon
