FEDERAL FARM POLICY: UNRAVELING THE MYSTERIES OF WASHINGTON DC Alyssa Charney, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition Steve Etka, National Organic Coalition MOSES 2016 February 26– 11 am La Crosse, WI

On Tap for Today  Introductions/About NSAC and NOC  Farm Bill & the Annual Appropriations Process  The Organic Landscape  Program Details: research, conservation, seeds and breeds, cost share, crop insurance, and more!  Q&A

 Started in 1988  An alliance of over 100 grassroots organizations across the country, including MOSES!  Advocates in Washington DC for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities Who is NSAC?

Who is NOC?  Started in 2002, 14 organizations (including MOSES), from all regions of the country  Provided a united voice for organic integrity  Promote multiple health, environmental, and economic benefits that only agriculture affords  Encourages policy to foster diversity of participation and access

 Cost: $956.4 billion over 10 years. (about 2% of all federal spending)  Spends $1.2 billion on sustainable ag programs and initiatives!  Cuts to all titles overall except crop insurance. The 2014 Farm Bill Chart credit: Washington Post

Appropriations & Budget Annual Appropriations Process  Each year, President releases funding requests for next fiscal year (2/9/16)  Congress decides funding amounts for USDA programs  House and Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittees decide  They can add, keep, or cut funding  Two types of funding: discretionary vs. mandatory Where we are (FY17)  Subcommittees have been holding hearings to examine FY17 Admin Requests  In the next few weeks, members of the Subcommittees will continue to submit their own requests to the Chairmen of the Subcommittees  Chairmen of subcommittees will draft FY17 agriculture appropriations bills

Organic Demand Outpacing Domestic Production  Growth in U.S. organic sales has averaged 10 percent annually over the last 5 years  U.S. organic farms numbers are not keeping pace, growing at about 2.5 percent per year

Organic Demand vs U.S. Organic Farms

How do we increase domestic organic production?  Multi faceted:  Pay Price, of course  Organic Research to Address Production Challenges  Conservation Programs  Access to Seeds and Breeds Adapted to Farmer Needs  Assistance with Certification Costs  Risk Management Options for Organic Farmers

Organic Research Is Part of the Solution  Organic research critical to help address organic production constraints domestically  But USDA organic research funding is stagnating relative to broader agriculture research.

USDA Research Program Funding

Organic Research Should be Better Funded Though AFRI  Most growth in agricultural research funding is for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI).  AFRI grown by 20 percent over the last 5 years, and is slated for more growth.  Only about 0.1 percent of AFRI funding used for organic research from

Organic Research within Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 2010–14 (%)

Organic in Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)  Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) has received significant increases in funding.  12 percent of U.S. fruit and vegetable sales are for organic products.  But according to USDA’s own data, only about 2 percent of the SCRI program was spent on organic research over the timeframe.

Organic Research within Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) (%)

Conservation for Organic Producers  Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)  Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) Photo Credit: USDA

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)  Technical and financial assistance for maintaining and adding conservation on working lands  Contracts last 5 years with the option to renew for an additional 5  Ranking criteria based on conservation outcomes  Payments (annual cap at $40K) determined by the costs incurred and expected conservation benefits  Beginning/socially disadvantaged/ veterans receive preference  Sign up by March 31 for FY16!  Major program overhaul planned for 2017

CSP Enhancements for Organic Producers  Transition to Organic Grazing System (WQL19)  Transition to Organic Cropping System (WQL20)  IPM for Organic Farming (WQL30)  Non-chemical Pest Management for Livestock (WQL18)  On-Farm Composting of Farm Organic Waste (WQL22)  Non-Chemical Methods to Kill Cover Crops (WQL33)  Organic Crosswalk (transitioning to org, or maintaining NOP certified status) Organic Crosswalk  FY15 CSP Organic Enrollment #s  What does the “refresh” mean for organic CSP?

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)  Cost-share for implementing working land conservation practices  One-time payments for structural, vegetative, and management practices  General EQIP Cap: $450,000 over 5-year period  NEW: Organic producers will now be tracked in general EQIP EQIP Organic Initiative (OI)  Targets organic, transitioning, and NOP-exempt producers by providing one-time payments for implementing new conservation practices.  OI Payment Cap: $20K annually, or $80K over any 6-year period.  Organic producers can compete in OI or general EQIP pool

Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)  Establishes long-term cover on highly erodible land or land in need of conservation buffers/ previously in row crop production  General and continuous sign-up options CRP Transition Incentives Program (TIP) - **2008 FB  Offers a special 2-year extra payment incentive to owners of land currently enrolled in CRP, but returning to production  Owners must rent or sell to eligible farmers who will: use sustainable grazing practices, resource-conserving cropping systems, or transition to organic production  Eligibility: CRP landowner or operator AND Beginning, socially disadvantaged, or veteran farmer/rancher (cannot be a family member)

NEW: CRP Buffers for Organic Producers  To be available through Continuous CRP  Multiple benefits for organic producers  Limiting soil erosion and nutrient loss  Aiding pest control  Enhancing wildlife habitat  Habitat for beneficials and pollinators

Seeds and Breeds For Organic  Farmers need access to seeds and breeds ideally suited to their farming systems, soils, changing climates, and consumer demand.  Without these tools, production will suffer  NOC and NSAC pushing for increased USDA funding targeted to this task

Certification Cost Share Assistance  2014 Farm Bill increased funding to defray certification costs for farmers and handlers.  Organic farmers provide environmental benefits from all of society, so shouldn’t have to bear certification costs by themselves.  Discussion within USDA about giving local Farm Service Agency county offices a role in administering program.

Whole Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP)  Risk management for highly diversified farms (entire farm)  Crop-neutral revenue insurance policy protects entire farm  Premium subsidy of up to 80% when at least 2 crops are grown, and discount for increased diversification Who Benefits?  Small/diversified producers  Organic producers without organic price elections  Mixed grain and livestock producers  Transitioning (toward organic)

NEW: Crop Insurance Option for Farmers Transitioning to Organic  Announced February 18 th  Transitioning producers can receive coverage that reflects their product’s actual value  Previously could only insure at the conventional rate when transitioning  Contract Price Addendum (CPA) covers their crops at a higher price

 NSAC’s Grassroots Guide to Federal Farm and Food Program  Contact your local management agencies:  Farm Service Agency (FSA) or crop insurance agent  Regional or County Risk Management Agency (RMA)  Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State or District office  Rural Development (RD) offices  Alyssa Charney, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition  Steve Etka, National Organic Coalition For More Information