WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif., introduced the Organic Science and Research Investment Act.

By ensuring organics research is prioritized at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and increasing funding for research agencies and universities, this bill would provide much needed support to the organic farming industry, Fetterman said.

“Pennsylvania is home to some of the best organic farmers in the world — and we need to support them in every way possible,” Fetterman declared. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to increase organics research within the federal government and at our leading research institutions to ensure our commonwealth can remain on the cutting edge of this growing industry. I’m grateful for Sen. Schiff’s partnership as we work to pass this crucial support for American farmers.”

“America’s agriculture is the envy of the world, and agriculture research is essential to ensuring that food and farm organizations have the resources they need to grow food affordably, safely and sustainably,” Schiff said.

The Organic Science and Research Investment Act would require USDA’s research agencies to better coordinate on organic research and extension, ensuring that the USDA considers organic research priorities in its budget justification to Congress and studies the feasibility of certifying more research land as organic. The bill would also increase funding for the USDA’s Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), which supplies grants to universities and other institutions for organics research. Additionally, the Organic Science and Research Investment Act would build on existing organic research by creating a statutory grant program to support producers as they transition to organic production.

Organic farming has a significant economic impact in Pennsylvania. The commonwealth’s 1,125 certified organic farmers — the fourth most in the nation — produced and generated more than $1 billion in organic commodities in 2021. The Organic Science and Research Investment Act would expand investments in this prosperous industry to support efforts to increase production in Pennsylvania and across the country.

Read the full bill text online.