Increase funding for organic and sustainable agriculture

Organics get a funding boost at USDA

Updated: Monday, July 6th, 2009 | By Catharine Richert

During the campaign, Barack Obama promised to help organic farmers by spending more on the federal program that helps them certify the foods they grow and by making sure they aren't penalized by crop insurance rates.

On May 5, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2009 Organic Initiative, which will provide funding to farmers who are interested in growing organic crops. The program will be paid for by revenue from a land conservation program.

"Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as for Secretary Vilsack and the Obama administration," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP financial assistance."
 
Being an organic farmer isn't cheap, and the most expensive part of the process is adopting the strict land and water conservation practices required to get the Agriculture Department seal of approval. Through the Organics Initiative, farmers will be able to apply for grants to help them pay for this transition. Farmers who are already growing organic crops but want to plant more can also apply for the money.

Without specific insurance to cover organics, many farmers have been loath to get into the business, so Obama also promised new insurance products. However, the Agriculture Department would have taken this step anyway because it was required as part of the new farm bill passed under the Bush administration. Since early 2009, risk management experts at the USDA have been looking into how much it might cost to cover organic crops lost to drought, fire, flood and other natural disasters, according to the Agriculture Department.
 
So Obama is largely fulfilled his pledge to help organic farmers get their food certified, but he hasn't quite fulfilled the insurance part. So for now, we rate this one In the Works.

Sources:

President Barack Obama, campaign promise on organic crops , accessed June 19, 2009
 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, statement on new funding for organic crops , accessed May 29, 2009