Welch Leads 14 Bicameral Colleagues on Bill to Reduce Barriers to Organic Agriculture in Vermont

Jan 29, 2026
Legislation would help more producers transition to and maintain organic practices
WASHINGTON, D.C.–U.S.Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.),Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee on Rural Development,Energy,and Credit,today led 14 bicameral lawmakers in reintroducing theOpportunities in Organic Act, legislation designed to help farmers and other agricultural producers transition to organic practices and build successful and sustainable businesses. The Senators’ legislation would help eliminate steep barriers farmers often face to enter the industry, including high certification costs and insufficient technical assistance from existing United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. The bill is led in the House of Representatives by Reps. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19).
“Organic production has huge benefits for our rural economies and our environment. But farmers can’t make the switch to organic practices without help,”said Senator Welch. “We need to make changes that better support folks looking to make the transition to organic—and thrive while they do so. This bill is a win for Vermont’s rural farmers and communities.”
“North Carolina farmers looking to join the quickly growing organic agriculture market face barriers that prevent them from fully participating in this opportunity,”said Rep. Adams.“TheOpportunities in Organic Actwould make it easier for farmers to bring healthy, sustainable food to market, assist small-scale and socially disadvantaged farmers with the transition, and provide much-needed technical assistance to producers. Farmers want to reach new markets while building healthy soil, ecosystems, and communities, and I’m proud to introduce this bill with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to deliver this opportunity for the agriculture community.”
“Despite the rising demand for organic agricultural products, some producers are finding it difficult take full advantage of these opportunities due to cost and skill barriers,”said Rep. Panetta.“I’m proud to author and introduce this legislation that would allow organic producers to overcome those barriers by streamlining reimbursements for organic certification and connecting them with the training, skills, and relationships they need to be successful. By expanding programming and services for these producers, we can ensure that our farmers are capitalizing on the immense opportunity that exists in the organic marketplace.”
The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Sens. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
“Organically grown food has many benefits, including no use of toxic pesticides, no antibiotics given to farm animals, and increased soil health. However, farmers need more support to transition to organic and maintain those beneficial practices,”said Senator Booker. “TheOpportunities in Organic Acthelps organic farmers, which in turn will make organic groceries more affordable for Americans.”
“Pennsylvania has always been a leader in organic farming. Our small farms deserve the support to keep up with the growing industry demands,”said Senator Fetterman. “I am proud to support TheOpportunities in Organic Actthat will help more Pennsylvania farmers go organic and ensure our commonwealth remains a leader in this kind of agriculture.”
“American farmers are the backbone of our Upstate economy. It is vital that the federal government continues to invest in their critical contributions as they deliver fresh, healthy food to our communities,”said Senator Gillibrand. “OurOpportunities in Organic Actwill promote sustainable farming and help eliminate the steep barriers that farmers face when transitioning to organic methods. I will continue fighting to ensure organic farmers in New York and across the nation have the resources they need to thrive for generations to come.”
“While organic practices have tremendous health, environmental and economic benefits, producers face inefficient financial and logistical barriers to establishing organic farming practices,”said Senator King.“TheOpportunities in Organic Acthelps farmers with the high costs and hurdles associated with entering the organic business—a win-win for rural producers and consumers.”
“For years, America’s farmers have wanted to expand domestic organic food production and help our country reap the benefits of cleaner air, higher crop yields, and a more resilient, sustainable food supply,”said Senator Murphy. “This bill would cut red tape and give our farmers the support and investment they need to meet our country’s growing demand for organic food – and provide a real boost to rural communities in the process.”
Organic agriculture has awide arrayof environmental and health benefits, including enhancing soil fertility and structure, which can boost crop yield and help reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. By reducing the use of fossil fuel-based fertilizers and toxic pesticides, organic farms further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health of farmers, farmworkers, and consumers who might otherwise be exposed to dangerous pesticides.
Organic practices also make farms more resilient to extreme weather patterns and climate change, helping farms to simultaneously fight future climate change and increase their own resilience to the climate impacts we are already experiencing.
TheOpportunities in Organic Acthelps mitigate challenges farmers and producers face when transitioning to organics by modernizing USDA’s reimbursements for organic certification and expanding the department’s available expertise for organic agriculture. Specifically, the bill would expand the existing National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program into a comprehensive Opportunities in Organic Program by:
TheOpportunities in Organic Act of 2026is endorsed by the Agriculture & Land-Based Training Association (ALBA); Beyond Pesticides; California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF); Carolina Farm Stewardship Association; Environmental Working Group; Dr. Bronner’s; Family Farm Defenders; Farm Aid; Friends of the Earth; Greensward New Natives LLC; Green America; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association; Marbleseed; Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance; National Co+op Grocers; National Family Farm Coalition; National Organic Coalition; National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition; Natural Grocerse; New Entry Sustainable Farming Project; Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance; Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut (CT NOFA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Massachusetts (NOFA-MA); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Hampshire (NOFA-NH); Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY); Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT); Northeast Organic Farming Association – Interstate Council; Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA NJ); National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association; OneCert, Inc.; Oregon Tilth; Organic Farmers Association; Organic Farming Research Foundation; Organic Seed Alliance; Organic Trade Association; Organically Grown Company; Quick Organics; Sierra Harvest; Slow Food USA;  Strengthening Organic Systems, LLC; The Cornucopia Institute; The Land Connection; Union of Concerned Scientists; University of Minnesota Student Organic Farm; Virginia Association for Biological Farming; and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
“Demand for organic food continues to grow at a rapid pace, but U.S. organic production is struggling to keep pace,”said Abby Youngblood,Executive Director,National Organic Coalition. “We need to reduce the barriers that farming operations face if we are going to meet this demand with U.S. organic production, instead of ceding those markets to organic imports. The Opportunities in Organic Act is a wise investment to help more operations build resiliency, steward healthy soil, and take advantage of the growing demand for organic food in the marketplace.”
Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to support and strengthen Vermont’s organic industry. In July, Senator Welch reintroduced 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. Last Congress, Senator Welch also led his colleagues incalling onthe Senate Appropriations Committee to bolster investments in federal programs that support organic infrastructure, as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Appropriations Bill.
Learn moreabout theOpportunities in Organic Act.
Read and downloadthe full text of the bill.
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