100-Plus California Organic Producers Call for Support in Farm Bill
May 10, 2018 More than 100 CCOF-certified organic growers, ranchers, processors, handlers, and business owners signed a letter to Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, requesting their support for organic priorities in the 2018 Farm Bill.
In the letter, the producers note that organic is a $14.5 billion per year sector in California that includes $2.9 billion in farm sales and $11.65 billion in processed product sales. Organic businesses provide more than 300,000 jobs in the state. Organic agriculture also protects wildlife, promotes biodiversity, and improves or maintains native ecosystems.
The organic priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill outlined in the letter include protecting the National Organic Standards Board, funding the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program, establishing baseline funding for organic research, strengthening the USDA National Organic Program, and protecting organic crop price data and reports.
The organic growers acknowledge that the California Congressional delegation in the House of Representatives successfully championed organic priorities in the House Farm Bill, and note areas where Feinstein and Harris can further organic priorities through the Senate bill.
The 110 signatories include producers of all scales and types from across California. Their unified message calls for the elected officials to support the state’s strong organic sector in the 2018 Farm Bill. Read the full letter at.
CCOF encourages all certified organic entities to call their senators to request their support for organic priorities in the farm bill. Find your senator’s contact information on the United States Senate webpage.
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