New Year, Same Farm Bill… Again.

By Gordon Merrick, OFRF Policy Program Director

As we begin a new year, it’s clear that the discussion around the Farm Bill is far from over. We continue to operate under an extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, pushing back once again on the much-needed bipartisan update to a key piece of legislation that shapes U.S. agriculture.

Current Landscape: Understanding Our Situation

Last year was marked more by a struggle for survival than significant progress. Congress had to pass several short-term extensions to maintain critical Farm Bill programs, ultimately carrying the 2018 framework into this year. While this strategy provided temporary stability, it postponed essential updates in research, conservation, and rural development that are increasingly out of touch with current realities.

Simultaneously, Farm Bill discussions faced interruptions from broader political issues, including leadership changes, funding negotiations, and a lack of legislative time. The outcome remains the same: fleeting certainty merged with persistent stagnation.

This stagnation directly impacts organic farmers and researchers. Farm Bill programs cannot adapt, funding levels remain inadequate, and pressing challenges such as climate change and market consolidation are insufficiently addressed.

Voices from Key Stakeholders on This Year’s Farm Bill

As Congress reconvenes, there is plenty of rhetoric about the necessity of completing a Farm Bill this year. Leaders from both House and Senate committees show a willingness to engage in bipartisan discussions, while USDA officials emphasize the need for consistency in support for farmers and rural communities.

Yet, the signals coming from Washington are mixed. Some members are proposing a simplified “skinny” Farm Bill, while others express doubts about the sustainability of the traditional coalitions that support the bill. To complicate matters further, ongoing debates regarding federal spending and agency structure continue to overshadow the legislative process.

What is evident is that this year’s Farm Bill efforts will not proceed without proactive engagement. A successful outcome will depend on continuous advocacy, coalition-building, and outside pressure to remind lawmakers of the stakes involved.

OFRF’s Commitment to Organic Agriculture Policy This Year

The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) enters this Farm Bill cycle with renewed focus and determination. Our guiding principle remains clear: we want organic agriculture to be recognized as a vital, research-informed, conservation-oriented, and economically significant part of U.S. farming.

This year, our efforts will center around:

• Pushing for robust funding in organic research, including programs like OREI, ORG/RTOP, and USDA intramural research.
• Ensuring that technical assistance programs adequately support organic and transitioning farmers, translating policies into real benefits.
• Highlighting organic agriculture’s role as an economic driver, especially in rural areas.
• Backing bipartisan initiatives such as the Organic Science and Research Investment (OSRI) Act, aimed at being included in the final Farm Bill.

Additionally, we are committed to validating our priorities through direct engagement with farmers, researchers, and stakeholders nationwide. Policy lacking real-world insights is unlikely to succeed, and we are dedicated to ensuring that voices from the field are heard.

Ways You Can Participate

A key takeaway from last year is that silence will not affect policy. Whether this Farm Bill ends up being another extension or a significant refresh hinges on the messages lawmakers receive from their constituencies.

Here’s how you can make your voice heard:

• Reach out to your congressional representatives to discuss the importance of organic research and conservation in your community.
• Share your experiences with USDA programs: what works well, what doesn’t, and what needs improvement.
• Stay informed and engaged with OFRF’s policy updates, sign-on letters, and action alerts as they arise.
• Encourage your colleagues, partners, and neighbors to remain involved, even when the legislative process feels sluggish or unclear.

A new year doesn’t guarantee a fresh Farm Bill. However, enduring and informed engagement can lead to meaningful change.

We at OFRF will continue our efforts to place organic agriculture at the forefront of this conversation, and we invite you to join us on this journey.

Eat well and breathe deeply,

Gordon