Bipartisan bill would help Oregon organic farmers modernize, expand businesses
WASHINGTON D.C., DC — U.S. Oregon Representative Andrea Salinas introduced bipartisan legislation Wednesday to help organic farmers and producers expand their businesses and meet growing demand.
The Domestic Organic Investment Act would make permanent a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that provides grants to farmers and businesses to address supply chain gaps in the organic market, according to Salinas' office.
Salinas, who represents Oregon's 6th Congressional District, co-sponsored the bill with Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin; Susan Collins, R-Maine; and Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Wisconsin.
Certified organic sales have grown to more than $71.4 billion in 2024, but domestic organic acreage has not kept pace with demand for organic products, according to Salinas's office.
"Oregon has long been a national leader in organic agriculture, yet too many of our growers still face hurdles when it comes to getting their crops onto grocery store shelves," Salinas said. "Whether it's the lack of modern processing facilities, storage capacity, or the technology needed to stay competitive, these gaps stop family farms across Oregon from reaching their full potential."
The legislation would codify the Organic Market Development Grant program administered by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. The program would increase capacity in the domestic organic supply chain, modernize manufacturing and storage systems, expand processing and distribution capacity, and support market development for domestically produced organic products.
The bill would also address barriers to organic product certification for historically underserved entities and support feasibility studies to inform organic transition strategies.
"This bill will invest in our organic growers, supporting local jobs, reducing reliance on imports, and ensuring Oregon farmers remain at the forefront of a resilient, innovative organic economy," Salinas said.
The legislation is endorsed by Organic Valley and the Organic Trade Association.
Matthew Dillon, co-CEO of the Organic Trade Association, said the infrastructure investments would remove barriers and give organic producers the resources needed to meet growing consumer demand.
Shawna Nelson, CEO of Organic Valley, said the U.S. organic marketplace is poised for significant growth, but processing and distribution capacity remains a challenge.
"The U.S. organic marketplace is poised for significant growth, but right-sized processing and distribution capacity remains a notable challenge," Nelson said. "This infrastructure bill is a step toward leveraging more processing capacity, ensuring more organic food reach American families, and delivering greater opportunities for U.S. farmers."