Farm Bill Would Boost USDA Organic Program Funding, Supply Chain Safety

Five-year reauthorization of USDA programs is controversial on numerous fronts because of its breadth. It includes programs from federal crop insurance to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which accounts for 80% of the total spending. "As an industry, we need to be out there demonstrating support for the farm bill and why it’s so important for farmers to have that stability and consumers as well,” says Organic Trade Association executive Megan DeBates.

Washington DC Capitol dome detail with waving american flag

The House and Senate 2018 farm bills boost funding across the board for organic food and supplement industry programs, but with a Sept. 30 deadline to pass the legislation those benefits may be delayed, suggests Megan DeBates, Organic Trade Association director of legislative affairs and coalitions.

“It has become more difficult in general for Congress to get the bill done on time. It’s not unique to...