,,ii #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cgag ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,january #bh1 #bjbf,mr4 ,welch 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,bennet1 ,mr4 ,booker1 ,mr4 ,fetterman1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mr4 ,heinrich1 ,mr4 ,king1 ,mr4 ,merkley1 ,mr4 ,murphy1 ,mr4 ,sanders1 ,mr4 ,schiff1 ,ms4 ,smith1 and ,mr4 ,padilla7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,agriculture1 ,nutrition1 and ,forestry ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb to expand the national organic certification cost-share program into a comprehensive organic program1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,opportunities in ,organic ,act4 #b4 ,opportunities in ,organic program ,section #ajfjf of the ,farm ,security and ,rural ,investment ,act of #bjjb 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #febc7 is amended-- 7#a7 in the section heading1 by striking ,national organic certification cost-share and inserting ,opportunities in organic2 7#b7 by striking subsection 7b72 7#c7 by redesignating subsections 7c7 and 7d7 as subsections 7e7 and 7f71 respectively2 7#d7 in subsection 7a71 by striking the subsection designation and heading and all that follows through ,secretary of ,agriculture and inserting the following3 7b7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary 2 7#e7 by inserting before subsection 7b7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,certified organic farm2 certified organic handling operation ,the terms certified organic farm and certified organic handling operation have the meanings given those terms in section #bajc of the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #fejb74 7#b7 ,eligible nonprofit organization ,the term eligible nonprofit organization means a nonprofit organization 7as defined in section #afai7;b7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #ehja7;b777 that primarily serves at least #a of the following3 7,a7 ,socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers4 7,b7 ,organic producers and handlers4 7,c7 #a or more vulnerable agricultural regions1 such as farms near schools1 childcare providers1 residential areas1 or sensitive ecosystems4 7,d7 #a or more under-resourced agricultural regions4 7,e7 ,smaller nonprofit organizations 7as so defined7 that primarily serve the entities or regions described in subparagraph 7,a71 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d74 7#c7 ,national organic production program ,the term national organic production program means the national organic production program established under the ,organic ,foods ,production ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #feja et seq474 7#d7 ,organic ,the term organic has the meaning given the term in section #bje4b of title #g1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7or a successor regulation74 7#e7 ,program ,the term program means the ,opportunities in ,organic program established under subsection 7b74 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,agriculture4 7#g7 ,socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher2 socially disadvantaged group ,the terms socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher and socially disadvantaged group have the meanings given those terms in section #beja7;a7 of the ,food1 ,agriculture1 ,conservation1 and ,trade ,act of #aiij 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bbgi7;a774 7#h7 ,transition to organic ,the term transition to organic means the steps required to become a certified organic farm4 2 7#f7 in subsection 7b7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,a7 by striking a national organic certification cost-share program to assist and inserting the following3 a program1 to be known as the ,opportunities in ,organic program-- 7#a7 to assist 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a7 7as so designated71 by striking program established and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting program2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 to provide support and technical assistance for transition to organic and organic management4 2 7#g7 by inserting after subsection 7b7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7c7 ,federal organic certification cost-,share 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c71 the ,secretary shall pay under this subsection the costs incurred by a producer or handler in obtaining certification under the national organic production program1 as certified to and approved by the ,secretary4 7#b7 ,maximum amount ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 the maximum amount of a payment made to a producer or handler under this subsection shall be #a1ejj4 7#c7 ,ensuring affordability ,notwithstanding paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may make payments that exceed the maximum amount under that paragraph to ensure that organic certification costs are not a barrier to organic production1 including payment to a producer or handler who is-- 7,a7 located in a region with disproportionately high certification costs1 as determined by the ,secretary2 or 7,b7 a member of a socially disadvantaged group4 7d7 ,support for transition to organic and technical assistance 7#a7 ,transition and resilience funding 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award funding to eligible nonprofit organizations-- 7i7 to build capacity to support transition to organic in accordance with subparagraph 7,b72 and 7ii7 to support transition to organic in accordance with subparagraphs 7,c7 and 7,d74 7,b7 ,activities to build capacity ,an eligible nonprofit organization that is awarded funding under this subparagraph may use the funding for staffing1 materials1 activities1 and partnerships 7including partnerships with eligible nonprofit organizations described in subsection 7a77#b77;,e77 that support transition to organic and resilience of certified organic farms1 including-- 7i7 the recruitment of producers to begin transition to organic2 7ii7 translation and communication support1 including development of materials to increase understanding of the practices and processes required to become certified as organic2 7iii7 assistance with applications1 compliance1 recordkeeping1 and other aspects of the organic certification process and the transition to organic2 7iv7 financial1 business1 natural resource conservation1 and farm planning2 7v7 support for fair contracting2 7vi7 technical assistance with organic management practices1 such as soil health1 nutrient management1 pest management1 and other practices1 as determined appropriate by the ,secretary2 7vii7 by providing training on organic certification requirements and organic management to agricultural advisors and consultants1 including agronomists1 crop advisors1 pest control advisors1 extension agents1 farm consultants1 and other technical service providers1 and agricultural industry entities1 such as seed dealers1 equipment suppliers1 and input suppliers2 7viii7 by facilitating paid mentor-mentee relationships between organic producers and producers in transition to organic1 including stipends for all participants and training to support effective mentorship2 7ix7 by assisting producers with accessing resources and funding for programs associated with organic management1 including conservation programs1 risk management tools1 and organic support and research programs2 7x7 by establishing or expanding cooperatives1 organic grower groups1 certified organic processing1 storage1 refrigeration1 freezer1 and distribution facilities and equipment1 food hubs1 food security programs1 additional programs under the ,indigenous ,food ,sovereignty ,initiative of the ,department of ,agriculture1 organic-compliant composting services1 and other regional foodshed and supply chain infrastructure1 such as infrastructure for granaries and meat processing2 7xi7 on-farm research1 including monitoring biodiversity1 monitoring air and water quality1 measuring changes in soil organic carbon and indicators of soil health1 developing regionally adapted seeds and breeds1 and carrying out trials and documenting the effectiveness of holistic approaches to pest1 weed1 and disease control2 7xii7 recruiting and training organic certification staff and inspectors1 with an emphasis on expanding opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and increasing diversity in the certification process2 7xiii7 increasing access to land for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small and mid-sized farms and ranches and promoting long-term organic management 7such as purchasing land for incubator projects1 promoting and supporting lease-to-own contracts1 resolving heirs property issues1 and establishing easements that facilitate long-term organic stewardship72 7xiv7 supporting tenant farmers1 including through leasing options that serve tenants and landlords long term2 7xv7 hosting or supporting regional conventions1 conferences1 farmer-led training sessions and programs1 field days1 teach-ins1 and other educational opportunities focused on organic production2 and 7xvi7 establishing infrastructure for interfarmer skill sharing and exchanges1 including virtual forums4 7,c7 ,producer transition and resilience funding 7i7 ,in general ,an eligible nonprofit organization that is awarded funding under this subparagraph may use the funding to provide transition and resilience funding to existing organic operations1 socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers1 or small or mid-sized farms or ranches4 7ii7 ,term 7,i7 ,in general ,funding provided under this subparagraph shall be for a term of #d years4 7,,ii7 #a-time funding ,the ,secretary may not renew funding provided to a recipient under this subparagraph4 7iii7 ,use of funds ,funding awarded under clause 7i7 may be used to offset the costs of and reduce barriers to becoming or expanding a certified organic farm1 including-- 7,i7 creating or expanding an organic system plan 7as defined in section #bje4b of title #g1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of the ,opportunities in ,organic ,act771 including-- 7aa7 completing organic certification documents1 planning1 and recordkeeping2 and 7bb7 developing a conservation plan to address all natural resources1 including soil health2 7,,ii7 adopting1 improving1 or expanding organic management1 including-- 7aa7 eliminating the use of synthetic pesticides1 synthetic fertilizers1 or antibiotics2 7bb7 the implementation of cover cropping1 crop rotation1 or rotational grazing2 7cc7 the production and use of compost and manure 7including purchasing tools1 supplies1 or storage72 7dd7 sourcing or producing organic seed and feed2 7ee7 hedgerow and ecosystem enhancement planting and design2 7ff7 purchasing supplies for intercropping and polycropping or other specialized equipment for use in organic management2 and 7gg7 supporting beneficial predators1 pollinator habitats1 erosion prevention1 or watershed restoration2 7,,iii7 paying for costs associated with processing1 storage1 and distribution equipment and facilities2 7,,iv7 carrying out on-farm research to monitor and document the impacts of transition to organic1 including in partnership with an institution of higher education or another entity2 7,v7 soil testing2 7,,vi7 debt relief to improve access to capital and financial stability2 7,,vii7 forming a cooperative or farmer-to-farmer network2 7,,viii7 providing training to become an organic inspector to expand revenue and regional inspection capacity2 7,,ix7 overcoming barriers to land access1 including payments to secure longer leases and costs associated with accessing land that has not been treated with materials prohibited for use on a certified organic farm or transitioning land to organic management2 7,x7 paying for labor costs1 including costs associated with improvements to workplace safety1 compensation1 professional development1 and staff training on transition to organic implementation2 7,,xi7 improving food safety practices and obtaining related certifications2 7,,xii7 providing or participating in organic agriculture educational opportunities2 7,,xiii7 providing compensation for foregone income during transition to organic due to short-term changes in yield and limited market options2 7,,xiv7 construction or improvement of housing for apprentices1 trainees1 or volunteers or other on-farm infrastructure2 and 7,,xv7 financial1 business1 and farm planning4 7iv7 ,organic system plan ,as a condition of receiving funding under this subparagraph to carry out any of the activities described in subclauses 7,,ii7 through 7,,xv7 of clause 7iii71 an organic operation1 socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher1 or small or mid-sized farm or ranch shall be required to develop an organic system plan described in subclause 7,i7 of that clause4 7,d7 ,organic supply chain funding 7i7 ,in general ,an eligible nonprofit organization that is awarded funding under this subparagraph may use the funding to support organic supply chain development1 including by providing the funding to other entities to support organic supply chain development4 7ii7 ,use of funds ,funding awarded under clause 7i7-- 7,i7 may be used to strengthen organic capacity or expand access to certified organic handling operations1 including-- 7aa7 constructing1 expanding1 or improving access to a certified organic handling operation2 7bb7 purchasing farm equipment1 value added supplies1 and other materials that improve market access2 and 7cc7 pursuing organic certification for an existing handling operation2 and 7,,ii7 shall be used to strengthen opportunities in organic capacity for socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers1 small or mid-sized farms or ranches1 vulnerable agricultural regions 7such as farms near schools1 childcare providers1 residential areas1 and sensitive ecosystems71 or under-resourced agricultural regions4 7,e7 ,communications2 meetings ,an eligible nonprofit organization that receives funding under subparagraph 7,b71 7,c71 or 7,d7 shall-- 7i7 communicate not less frequently than once per quarter with each other entity awarded funding pursuant to those subparagraphs-- 7,i7 to monitor progress with respect to transition to organic and organic supply chain development2 7,,ii7 to address improvements and impacts of the transition to organic1 including observed changes in biodiversity1 soil health1 pests1 weeds1 and disease occurrence1 crop yield1 and resilience2 7,,iii7 to address challenges associated with transition to organic2 7,,iv7 to consider market opportunities and the adoption of additional practices2 and 7,v7 to explore opportunities for coordinated farm team meetings with staff from relevant agencies and organizations to streamline agricultural assistance and improve farm viability while increasing adoption of on-farm conservation practices2 and 7ii7 meet not less frequently than annually for each year for which funding is provided with staff of the ,department of ,agriculture 7as determined by the ,secretary7 to discuss program participation and impacts1 demographics and scale of participants1 transition to organic success rates1 market opportunities1 research results1 and challenges identified in the transition to organic4 7#b7 ,technical assistance 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall increase regional resources to support organic management1 including technical assistance1 outreach1 supply chain coordination1 and activities described in subparagraph 7,b71 through expanded organic-related capacity and partnerships at-- 7i7 the ,department of ,agriculture1 including within the ,agricultural ,marketing ,service1 the ,farm ,service ,agency1 the ,natural ,resources ,conservation ,service1 the ,risk ,management ,agency1 the offices under the ,undersecretary of ,rural ,development1 the ,food and ,nutrition ,service1 and climate hubs1 with an emphasis on local and regional offices2 7ii7 universities and educational institutions1 with an emphasis on institutions serving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers2 7iii7 the cooperative extension programs of the ,secretary1 including the ,federally ,recognized ,tribes ,extension ,program2 7iv7 ,state1 regional1 and ,tribal departments of agriculture2 and 7v7 eligible nonprofit organizations4 7,b7 ,authorized activities ,activities carried out through the entities described in subparagraph 7,a7 shall include-- 7i7 regional education sessions on organic management2 7ii7 the development of regionally tailored resources1 technical assistance programs1 and teaching farms for organic producers and producers in transition to organic1 including tools to promote and facilitate participation of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small and mid-sized farms and ranches in organic and complementary support programs2 7iii7 ongoing outreach to and needs assessment of producers in transition to organic to identify barriers to organic production and mechanisms to address those barriers2 7iv7 the identification of priority locations to promote transition to organic1 including near schools and childcare providers1 residential areas1 and sensitive ecosystems2 7v7 organic supply chain and infrastructure development2 7vi7 the expansion of organic and local supply chains and market opportunities1 including establishing channels for producers to offer products to institutional buyers and supporting purchases through nutrition programs2 and 7vii7 advancing food waste reduction strategies that support producer income and soil health1 including-- 7,i7 closed-loop programs that connect community composting and food scrap collection operations with farms2 and 7,,ii7 coordination to maximize use of farm products1 composting1 and waste reduction4 2 7#h7 in subsection 7e7 7as so redesignated7-- 7,a7 by striking including the number and inserting the following3 including-- 7#a7 the number 2 7,b7 in paragraph 7#a7 7as so designated71 by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 the demographics1 acreage1 and sales of producer participants that received support under the program1 aggregated by region2 7#c7 the number of producers and handlers that-- 7,a7 received support from the program in the previous fiscal year2 7,b7 began transition to organic2 and 7,c7 achieved new organic certification2 7#d7 any barriers to achieving organic certification2 7#e7 the transition to organic activities carried out by eligible nonprofit organizations and the metrics used to evaluate the success of those activities2 7#f7 research findings and best practices to support transition to organic2 7#g7 changes in organic-relevant capacity at public institutions of higher education and eligible nonprofit organizations2 and 7#h7 changes in availability of organic-relevant technical assistance4 2 and 7#i7 in subsection 7f77#a7 7as so redesignated71 by striking subparagraphs 7,a71 7,b71 and 7,c7 and inserting the following3 7,a7 #ej1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbg and #bjbh2 7,b7 #hj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbi2 and 7,c7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjcj and #bjca4 4