What We Want From the Farm Bill

By Michael Wall

Michael Wall is the Director of Farmer Advocacy at Georgia Organics.

Congress has finally given us drafts of the Farm Bill and there is plenty of cud of chew on, but definitely keep this in mind:

The passage of this important legislation is a marathon, not a sprint, and there still is a very long way to go. 

We don’t think it is time to pick up the phones and start calling Members of Congress - yet. But it is time to do some reading and to familiarize yourself with who your representatives are and how to get in touch with them for when the time comes. 

THE VERY LATEST ON THE FARM BILL

Actually, we’re not going to the play the “Very Latest on the Farm Bill” game. By the time we hit publish on this blog post, the Farm Bill and the politics around it will likely have changed a lot. Instead, we’re going to talk about what we want to see out of the Farm Bill and stay focused on the priorities our farmers told us about in the survey we sent out when we first launched Farmer Advocacy in 2022. 

We would add that there is a lot to be desired from both the Senate and House versions, at least as far we’ve seen (details on the Senate bill are forthcoming but there is an outline of sorts, and the text of the House version came out on Saturday, May 18). If we were forced to choose between the two, we’d go with the Senate version because it does include a meager increase in the Organic Cost Share Reimbursement Program, raising it from $750 annually to $1,000.  

We know our farmers need at least a $1,500 cost share each year for it to really stop Georgia from losing Certified Organic farms. It also includes parts of other pieces of legislation that we will get into further below. 

There are a few other pieces of the Senate bill that benefits Organic growers, the National Organic Program, and sustainable and organic ag research. But we are hoping and working for much more. 

OUR LATEST TRIP TO DC

Georgia Organics Farmer Services Director Lauren Cox and Farmer Advocacy Director Michael Wall visited the offices of several Members of Congress on May 16 with our partners at the Organic Trade Association (OTA). In the meetings, we reminded the folks that we already knew about our farmers’ priorities, and introduced new folks to Georgia Organics and what our farmers are hoping to get out of this next Farm Bill. 

On this trip we met with staff for: 

• Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-03) 

• Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) 

• Sen. Reb. Raphael Warnock (D) 

• Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-13) 

• Rep. Austin Scott (R-8) 

In the meetings, House Republicans liked the House version of the Bill (the House is currently run by Republicans), and Senate Democrats think their version is the better one (the Senate is currently controlled by Democrats). 

Georgia Organics Farmer Services Director Lauren Cox and Farmer Advocacy Director Michael Wall in front of the Capitol building on a windy day in mid-May, 2024. 

WHAT WE WANT FROM THE NEXT FARM BILL

Soil health through the Agriculture Resilience Act

The issue our farmers said was most important to them was soil health, and no piece of legislation addresses soil health as thoroughly as the Agriculture Resilience Act (ARA).

The ARA:  

• Attempts to get the US agricultural system to net zero on carbon emissions and has mechanisms to go even further 

• Requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a national network of regional hubs for risk adaptation and mitigation to climate change 

• Creates a soil health grant program for state and tribal governments 

• Focuses on perennial production systems and grass-based livestock systems for its climate-focused goals 

What ar our prospects? To be perfectly honest, this is a moonshot piece of legislation that would profoundly transform how food is produced and consumed in the United States. It is extremely doubtful that this entire bill will be folded into the Farm Bill, but it is possible that one or even two of its major provisions could be adopted. That wouldn’t be as transformative, but it would be significant progress. There are a few ARA ideas in the Senate version and nothing from the ARA is the House version.  

Support for Organics and Organic transition through the Opportunities in Organics Act

The Opportunities in Organics Act (OOA) would institutionalize most of the US Department of Agriculture’s recent bursts of support for Organic transition and Organic market development. If implemented into the Farm Bill, OOA would strengthen markets and market access for existing Organic growers, and help reduce the barriers and costs for growers to transition to Organic agriculture. This work is a core piece of Georgia Organics’ longtime programming, and one we support wholeheartedly.  

Prospects: Slim. We were hoping to see much more of the OOA’s components in the Senate version. There is very little if any pieces of OOA in the House version. 

What else are we advocating for?

The Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act (WFRPIA), which is co-sponsored by Georgia’s Sen. Warnock, would enhance and improve access to one of the few risk management tools that was specifically designed to support diversified and Organic operations. 

So far, the Senate version doesn’t include any visible aspect of improving the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program, but we hope that will change soon. 

Last but not least, the Continuous Improvement and Accountability in Organic Standards Act would regulate and oversee the frequency with which the USDA reviews and enacts new Organic standards and rules. Our friends at the National Organic Program don’t necessarily love this piece of legislation, and admittedly, it isn’t perfect. But it would help prevent the backlog of rulemaking that has created a gap between consumer expectations and the reality of current Organic standards. 

But wait there’s more.

Here are three more bills we hope will make their way into the text of the Farm Bill:

• The Organic Market Development Act 

• Strengthening Organic Agriculture Research Act  

• Organic Science and Research Investment Act  (OSRI)

MORE FARMER ADVOCACY EFFORTS

• April, 4, 2024, Warnock and the Whole Farm Revenue Protection Program Improvement Act 

• Sept. 14, 2023, Trips to US Capitol Lead Congressman to On-Farm Visit  

• July 28, 2022, GO Goes to Washington to Support Organic Farmers  

• July 28, 2022, Georgia Organics Launches Farmer Advocacy  

• July 28, 2022, Advocacy Efforts Bring Top USDA Officials to Georgia  

• Oct. 20, 2022, The Next Commissioner of Agriculture  

 To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. 

Header Image: Farmer Julia Asherman of Rag & Frass Farm with Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Legislative Correspondent Caroline Li and Legistlative Director Anna Cullen, 2023.

Georgia Organics’ Farmer Advocacy News: Georgia Farmers Inform Our 2023 Farm Bill Priorities

By Michael Wall

Michael Wall is Georgia Organics’ Director of Advocacy and previous Director of Farmer Services. 

In 2021, the Georgia Organics board of directors passed a Strategic Plan that put the organization on a new path for advocacy, farm policy, and movement building. A new division of Georgia Organics, Farmer Advocacy, was launched in January 2022.  

To better understand the policy priorities of our farmers, Georgia Organics Farmer Advocacy, with input from Listen4Good and the Georgia Organics Advocacy and Programs Committee, launched a survey initiative. Over the spring and early summer of 2022, Georgia Organics distributed a survey to more than 1,000 farmers to determine their highest policy priorities. 

The results of that survey, featuring the input from 128 organic and sustainable farmers, are below. The survey data has also been published as a report (available here) that has been shared with dozens of advocacy partners and Congressional lawmakers. 

Demographic data on the farmers who filled out the survey is also provided at the conclusion of the survey’s results summary below.  

(Note: Funding to support the facilitation of this report was received from The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition. Georgia Organics’ Farmer Advocacy efforts have also received funding from Organic Valley and Farm Aid.) 

Rep. Austin Scott, vice chair of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, second from left, with farmer Russell Brydson of Narrow Way Farms, Director of Farmer Advocacy Michael Wall, and Legislative Director Zach Roberts. 

Survey Question: Which government functions are most important for your farm’s success? 

The majority of survey participants cited USDA programming on conservation as most important to their farm’s success.

The following statistics reflect the total survey participant responses, ranked by highest to lowest percentages:

1. USDA Programming on conservation, such as the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); 58.6%

2. USDA Programming on crop insurance and access to capital, such as the Farm Service Agency (FSA); 40.23%

3. Local zoning code and ordinances and code enforcement; 29.89%

4. State regulations and enforcement; 21.84%

5. State licensing; 18.39%

6. National Organic Program (NOP) standards and enforcement; 12.64%

7. Local licensing; 10.34%

8. National Organic Program (NOP) organic transitioning support; 8.05%

Survey Question: Which institutions are most important for your farm’s success? Please select the two most important to your farm. 

The majority of survey participants cited USDA offices and Land Grant universities as the two institutions most important to their farm’s success.

The following statistics reflect the total survey participant responses, ranked by highest to lowest percentages:

1. USDA offices, such as FSA, NRCS; 49.43% 

2. Land Grant universities, because of their research, education, and extension offices; 44.83% 

3. Other farmer services organizations, such as the Southeastern African-American Farmers Organic Network (SAAFON), Global Growers, Food Well Alliance, Southwest Georgia Project, etc.; 36.78% 

4. Advocacy groups that address issues such as climate change, soil health, and racial equity; 35.63% 

5. The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA); 33.33% 

Survey Question: Which of the following issues are most important for your farm’s success? 

The majority of survey participants cited healthy soil and access to capital and USDA programs as issues most important to their farm’s success, followed by a tie between conservation programs and land-ownership.

The following statistics reflect the total survey participant responses, ranked by highest to lowest percentages:

1. Healthy soil; 52.87% 

2. Accessing USDA programs; 42.53% 

3. Access to capital; 32.18% 

4. Climate change; 29.89% 

5. (tie) Conservation programs: access and cost share amounts; 28.74% 

6. (tie) Land-ownership; 28.74% 

7. Health insurance costs and access; 25.29% 

8. Racial equity; 18.39% 

9. Building a statewide sustainable ag policy coalition; 13.79% 

10. Succession planning; 8.05% 

11. Access to land zoned for agriculture; 6.9% 

12. Crop insurance and subsidies; 5.75% 

13. Heirs property issues; 4.6% 

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POLICY IMPLICATIONS: What We Gathered from Listening to Georgia Farmers

Based on the feedback provided by our farmers, Georgia Organics recommends the following policy shifts:

• Increase funding and access to the Farm Bill’s Title II: Conservation section. 

• Double the cost-share rates for all soil health-related conservation activities and contracts available in the National Resource Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Improvement Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).  

• Invest more deeply in organic research, including the SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) program. 

• Provide training and outreach for Approved Insurance Providers (AIPs) to ensure equitable access to RMA’s crop insurance programs for small-scale and organic producers. 

• Ensure organic integrity and a strong organic marketplace by continuously improving the National Organic Program (NOP). 

• Increase and consolidate the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) organic cost-share reimbursements from two applications capped at $750 to one application capped at $1,500 per farm per year. 

• Make the recently announced Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) a permanent program. 

• Allow the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) grant funds to be spent on infrastructure needs, such as seeds, inputs, implements, irrigation, harvest bins, and washing stations. 

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Demographics of Survey Participants

The following statistics reflect the total survey participant responses, ranked by highest to lowest percentages:

Relationship to Farming 

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants identified as farm owners. There was a small tie between those identifying as aspiring farmers and farmer support providers.

1. Farm owner – 77.91%

2. Farm Manager - 22.09% 

3. Farm Worker – 17.44%

4. Community organizer – 13.95%

5. Other – 9.3%

6. Agricultural educator – 6.98%

7. Aspire to own farmland – 5.81%

8. Agricultural researcher – 3.49%

9. Don’t farm but aspire to (tie) – 2.33%

10. Farmer support service (tie) – 2.33%

11. Ag student – 1.16%

Farm and Production Type

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants claimed their main production to be diversified vegetable crops, along with fruits and eggs.

1. Diversified veg - 78.67% 

2. Fruits – 46.67% 

3. Eggs – 34.67% 

4. Mushrooms – 20% 

5. Goats or other small ruminants for meat – 10.67% 

6. Beef cattle (tie) – 8% 

7. Commodities (tie) – 8% 

8. Chicken for meat – 5.33% 

9. Hogs for meat – 4% 

10. Grains (tie) – 2.67% 

11. Goat milk (tie) – 2.67% 

12. Row crops for livestock feed (tie) – 2.67% 

Acreage 

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants claimed to farm on somewhere between less than an acre and 20 acres.

1. <1 acre – 19.05% 

2. 1 to 3 – 17.86% 

3. 4 to 10 – 17.86% 

4. 10 to 20 – 14.29% 

5. 30 to 50 – 9.52% 

6. 50 to 100 – 7.14% 

7. 100 to 300 – 7.14% 

8. 300 to 500 – 2.38% 

9. 500 to 1,000 – 3.57% 

10. 1,000 to 2,000 – 1.19% 

Age

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants identified as ages 35 to 64.

1. 35-44 years – 38.55% 

2. 45-54 – 20.48% 

3. 55-64 – 15.66% 

4. 65-74 – 14.46%% 

5. 25-34 – 7.23% 

6. 17 or younger – 2.41% 

7. 75 or older – 1.20% 

8. 18-24 – none 

Racial Identity

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants identified as white.

1. White – 65.85%

2. Black or African American – 25.61% * 

3. Asian or Asian American – 6.10%

4. Native American or Alaska Native – 6.10% 

5. Hispanic or Latino/a/x – 4.88% 

6. Middle Eastern or North African – 1.22% 

*In the U.S., Black farmers make up 1.4 percent of the farming community, and in Georgia, 4 percent, according to the USDA Census of Agriculture.  

Gender

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants identified as men.

1. Man – 57.5% 

2. Woman – 41.25% 

3. Non-Binary – 1.25% 

Future Farmer Engagement  

Hover your cursor over the chart for descriptors.

The majority of survey participants claimed they were in favor of supporting an advocacy committee and were willing to meet with Georgia-elected officials.

1. Are willing to support an advocacy committee – 40 farmers 

2. Are willing to meet with state-level elected officials – 38 farmers 

3. Are willing to meet with USDA/GDA officials – 35 farmers 

4. Are willing to meet with federal-level elected officials – 29 farmers 

5. Not interested - 22 farmers 

To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics. 

Trips to U.S. Capitol Lead Congressman to On-Farm Visit to Largest Certified Organic Farm

By Michael Wall

Michael Wall is the Director of Advocacy at Georgia Organics.

(Left to right) Director of Advocacy Michael Wall, Farm Manager Logan Petrey of Grimmway Farms, and Rep. Austin Scott, vice chair of the House Ag Committee.

Over the past 12 months, Georgia Organics has traveled to the U.S. Capitol three times to argue for a more organic-friendly Farm Bill. On each of the trips, Georgia Organics brought along farmers who are active advocates for more support for small- to mid-scale sustainable growers. 

In all, Georgia Organics, along with farmers Russell Brydson of Narrow Way Farm in McDonough, Ga., Logan Petrey of Grimmway Farms in Lake Park, Ga., and Georgia Organics Board Chair CheFarmer Matthew Raiford of Gilliard Farms in Brunswick, Ga., have met with the following members of Congress, or their legislative staff: 

• Rep. Austin Scott, R-GA 8th District, Vice Chair of the House Ag Committee 

• Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-GA, Member of the Senate Ag Committee 

• Sen. John Boozman, R-AR, Ranking Member Senate Ag Committee 

• Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, Chair of the Senate Ag Committee  

• Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson, R- PA 15th District, Chair of the House Ag Committee Chair 

• Rep. David Scott, D-GA 13th District, Ranking Member of the House Ag Committee  

• Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-GA  

• Rep. Nikema Williams, D-GA 5th District 

• Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-GA 2nd District, Member of the House Ag and Appropriations Committees 

Almost all of the conversations were civil and respectful, with Congressional members and staff who are working hard for their constituents and the agriculture community. 

“One of our top goals during these meetings is to encourage members of Congress and their staff to visit certified organic operations in Georgia, to hear more directly from our farmers and observe their operations firsthand. ”

Georgia Organics, and the farmers with us, pushed for more support for organic and sustainable farmers, especially when it comes to safety nets and risk management, conservation programs operated by the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the needs of farmers who are attempting to transition to organic certification. The trips to Washington, D.C., are made possible because of partnerships and support provided by the Organic Trade Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and funding provided by Organic Valley and Farm Aid. 

(From left to right) Farmer Julia Asherman of Rag & Frass Farm surveys crops with Sen. Jon Ossoff’s Legislative Correspondent Caroline Li and Legislative Director Anna Cullen.

One of our top goals during these meetings is to encourage members of Congress and their staff to visit certified organic operations in Georgia, to hear more directly from our farmers and observe their operations firsthand.  

Two such meetings occurred this Summer. The first was with hosted by farmer Julia Asherman of Rag N Frass Farm in Jeffersonville, Ga., where we met Sen. Ossoff’s Legislative Correspondent Caroline Li and Legislative Director Anna Cullen. 

The second on-farm meeting was held at Grimmway Farms with Rep. Austin Scott and farm manager Logan Petrey. Grimmway Farms, with facilities and acreage in Georgia, Florida, California, Washington, and Colorado, operates the largest certified organic farm east of Mississippi, and the largest certified organic carrot farm in the world. 

“The trips to Washington, D.C., are made possible because of partnerships and support provided by the Organic Trade Association, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and funding provided by Organic Valley and Farm Aid. ”

— Director of Advocacy for Georgia Organics, Michael Wall

The farm tours and discussions led to a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and promising economic opportunities that accompany certified organic production in Georgia. 

Most of the obstacles our farmers and ranchers face could be resolved with a Farm Bill that prioritizes soil health and recognizes the multitude of solutions organic farmers provide for battling climate change and preventable, health-related illnesses. 

Curious about our current policy priorities? Learn about the importance of the Farm Bill, as dictated by our farmers, here. 

To learn more about Georgia Organics, visit georgiaorganics.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn by searching the handle @GeorgiaOrganics or Georgia Organics.