USDA Secretary pledges to elevate significance of organic agriculture

USDA Secretary pledges to elevate significance of organic agriculture

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USDA Secretary pledges to elevate significance of organic agriculture

Previewing his path forward for organic and pledging to elevate the significance and importance of organic agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Secretary Tom Vilsack kicked off the Annual Membership Meeting of the Organic Trade Association on Wednesday.

Speaking live at the virtual meeting to over 250 members of the trade association, Vilsack laid out a forward-looking agenda for the organic sector.

Addressing positively the majority of the Organic Trade Associationā€™s priorities for the Biden administration, Vilsack vowed to ā€œbuild a solid trust foundationā€ between USDA and the nationā€™s organic farmers and stakeholders.

ā€œI understand and appreciate, that we've got some work to do in rebuilding the trust between the Department and the [organic] industry. And I am committed to that. And those who work at USDA are committed to that,ā€ said Vilsack.

Other actions Vilsack announced included re-establishing the position of USDA Organic Policy Advisor; increasing by ā€œtens of millions of dollarsā€ the funds available through USDAā€™s Organic Certification Cost Share program to help farmers transitioning to organic; and beefing up organic enforcement and ā€œexpanding the number and the diversity of those who will be involved in inspections and certifications.

He also plans to expand the procurement for USDAā€™s emergency feeding programs to ā€œsmall- and medium-sized distribution systems,ā€ and giving ā€œsocially disadvantaged producersā€ access to more federal procurement dollars; and prioritize climate-smart agriculture and regenerative practices.

ā€œWe are working hard to protect the [organic] brand and to expand a number of issues and opportunities for the organic industryā€¦all designed to provide a strong message of the significance and importance that I place personally, and that the department places on this industry,ā€ said Vilsack.

ā€œWe recognize the importance of it, we recognize the value-added opportunities that it presents, and we think it is an important-- a very important part of the industry that will help us to a much better, climate-friendly agriculture.ā€

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