Welch, Collins Lead Bipartisan Call Urging USDA to Release Cost Share Funding, Reduce Financial Burdens for Organic Farmers

Mar 13, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joinedU.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine),Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in urging USDA to promptly release cost share reimbursements for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP), which many farms rely on to offset high certification costs. In their letter to USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce, the Senators warn that ongoing delays are forcing some businesses to postpone their organic certification renewal, risking further decline of U.S. organic farms at a time when demand for organic food continues to grow.
“Organic farmers and food manufacturers voluntarily opt into organic certification, which prohibits the use of most synthetic pesticides, artificial flavors and colors, and growth hormones. NOCCSP helps small and midsize farms defray the cost of the rigorous organic standards trusted by consumers,”wrote the Senators. “There is strong and growing consumer demand for organic products. Inflation-adjusted organic retail sales grew at a compounded annual rate exceeding 7 percent from 2012 to 2023, with total annual sales now surpassing $70 billion annually. Despite growing demand, certified organic acreage has declined in recent years.”
The Senators highlightedthat many farmers cite certification expenses as a major barrier to entering or staying in organic production:“USDA’s FY 2023 report to Congress showed that USDA’s Farm Service Agency and State agencies distributed more than $7.4 million in NOCCSP funds to 10,522 organic operations nationwide. By offsetting certification costs, the cost share program is one of the most direct ways USDA can deliver on its commitment to reduce financial burdens on small farms, expand domestic organic production, and keep U.S. farmers competitive in a growing market.
“U.S. organic operations have not yet received their 2025 cost-share reimbursements, which are typically available in July. As a result, farms are currently carrying the full certification cost out of pocket,”the Senators continued. “This outcome runs counter to our shared goals of bolstering domestic production, supporting family farms, and increasing access to healthy food. We urge you to ensure that Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 cost share funding is made available as soon as possible at the full reimbursement levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Prompt action is essential to maintain organic farm viability and uphold the integrity and competitiveness of the U.S. organic sector.”
Read and downloadthe Senators’ full letter to USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce.
“As consumer demand for organic food continues to grow at a rapid rate, U.S. organic farmers are struggling to keep pace. The delay in providing certification cost share assistance to organic farmers and businesses is only making matters worse. The problem is particularly acute for small-and-medium scale organic farmers. The National Organic Coalition applauds Senators Welch and Collins for their leadership in drawing attention to this issue,”said Abby Youngblood,Executive Director,National Organic Coalition.
Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s organic dairy industry. In January, the Senator reintroduced theOpportunities in Organic Act,bicameral legislation designed to help farmers and other agricultural producers transition to organic practices and build successful and sustainable businesses. Senator Welch also led the reintroduction of theOrganic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act(O DAIRY) Act, legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers by extending emergency assistance to farmers facing losses and increase investments in the organic dairy industry.
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