H.R. 7318

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7318 Introduced in House (IH)]

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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7318

To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to expand 
the national organic certification cost-share program into a 
comprehensive organic program, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 2, 2026

Mr. Panetta (for himself, Ms. Adams, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Norton, Mr. Lieu, 
Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Lofgren, and Ms. Pingree) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To amend the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 to expand 
the national organic certification cost-share program into a 
comprehensive organic program, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Opportunities in Organic Act''.

SEC. 2. OPPORTUNITIES IN ORGANIC PROGRAM.

Section 10606 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 
(7 U.S.C. 6523) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``national organic 
certification cost-share'' and inserting ``opportunities in 
organic'';
(2) by striking subsection (b);
(3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
(e) and (f), respectively;
(4) in subsection (a), by striking the subsection 
designation and heading and all that follows through 
``Secretary of Agriculture'' and inserting the following:
``(b) Establishment.--The Secretary'';
(5) by inserting before subsection (b) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Certified organic farm; certified organic handling 
operation.--The terms `certified organic farm' and `certified 
organic handling operation' have the meanings given those terms 
in section 2103 of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 
U.S.C. 6502).
``(2) Eligible nonprofit organization.--The term `eligible 
nonprofit organization' means a nonprofit organization (as 
defined in section 1619(b) of the Food, Agriculture, 
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5801(b))) that 
primarily serves at least 1 of the following:
``(A) Socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
``(B) Organic producers and handlers.
``(C) 1 or more vulnerable agricultural regions, 
such as farms near schools, childcare providers, 
residential areas, or sensitive ecosystems.
``(D) 1 or more under-resourced agricultural 
regions.
``(E) Smaller nonprofit organizations (as so 
defined) that primarily serve the entities or regions 
described in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), or (D).
``(3) National organic production program.--The term 
`national organic production program' means the national 
organic production program established under the Organic Foods 
Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.).
``(4) Organic.--The term `organic' has the meaning given 
the term in section 205.2 of title 7, Code of Federal 
Regulations (or a successor regulation).
``(5) Program.--The term `program' means the Opportunities 
in Organic program established under subsection (b).
``(6) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
of Agriculture.
``(7) Socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher; socially 
disadvantaged group.--The terms `socially disadvantaged farmer 
or rancher' and `socially disadvantaged group' have the 
meanings given those terms in section 2501(a) of the Food, 
Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 
2279(a)).
``(8) Transition to organic.--The term `transition to 
organic' means the steps required to become a certified organic 
farm.'';
(6) in subsection (b) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``a national organic certification 
cost-share program to assist'' and inserting the 
following: ``a program, to be known as the 
`Opportunities in Organic program'--
``(1) to assist'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
striking ``program established'' and all that follows 
through the period at the end and inserting ``program; 
and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) to provide support and technical assistance for 
transition to organic and organic management.'';
(7) by inserting after subsection (b) (as so redesignated) 
the following:
``(c) Federal Organic Certification Cost-Share.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the 
Secretary shall pay under this subsection the costs incurred by 
a producer or handler in obtaining certification under the 
national organic production program, as certified to and 
approved by the Secretary.
``(2) Maximum amount.--Except as provided in paragraph (3), 
the maximum amount of a payment made to a producer or handler 
under this subsection shall be $1,500.
``(3) Ensuring affordability.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
(2), 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 production, 
including payment to a producer or handler who is--
``(A) located in a region with disproportionately 
high certification costs, as determined by the 
Secretary; or
``(B) a member of a socially disadvantaged group.
``(d) Support for Transition to Organic and Technical Assistance.--
``(1) Transition and resilience funding.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award 
funding to eligible nonprofit organizations--
``(i) to build capacity to support 
transition to organic in accordance with 
subparagraph (B); and
``(ii) to support transition to organic in 
accordance with subparagraphs (C) and (D).
``(B) Activities to build capacity.--An eligible 
nonprofit organization that is awarded funding under 
this subparagraph may use the funding for staffing, 
materials, activities, and partnerships (including 
partnerships with eligible nonprofit organizations 
described in subsection (a)(2)(E)) that support 
transition to organic and resilience of certified 
organic farms, including--
``(i) the recruitment of producers to begin 
transition to organic;
``(ii) translation and communication 
support, including development of materials to 
increase understanding of the practices and 
processes required to become certified as 
organic;
``(iii) assistance with applications, 
compliance, recordkeeping, and other aspects of 
the organic certification process and the 
transition to organic;
``(iv) financial, business, natural 
resource conservation, and farm planning;
``(v) support for fair contracting;
``(vi) technical assistance with organic 
management practices, such as soil health, 
nutrient management, pest management, and other 
practices, as determined appropriate by the 
Secretary;
``(vii) by providing training on organic 
certification requirements and organic 
management to agricultural advisors and 
consultants, including agronomists, crop 
advisors, pest control advisors, extension 
agents, farm consultants, and other technical 
service providers, and agricultural industry 
entities, such as seed dealers, equipment 
suppliers, and input suppliers;
``(viii) by facilitating paid mentor-mentee 
relationships between organic producers and 
producers in transition to organic, including 
stipends for all participants and training to 
support effective mentorship;
``(ix) by assisting producers with 
accessing resources and funding for programs 
associated with organic management, including 
conservation programs, risk management tools, 
and organic support and research programs;
``(x) by establishing or expanding 
cooperatives, organic grower groups, certified 
organic processing, storage, refrigeration, 
freezer, and distribution facilities and 
equipment, food hubs, food security programs, 
additional programs under the Indigenous Food 
Sovereignty Initiative of the Department of 
Agriculture, organic-compliant composting 
services, and other regional foodshed and 
supply chain infrastructure, such as 
infrastructure for granaries and meat 
processing;
``(xi) on-farm research, including 
monitoring biodiversity, monitoring air and 
water quality, measuring changes in soil 
organic carbon and indicators of soil health, 
developing regionally adapted seeds and breeds, 
and carrying out trials and documenting the 
effectiveness of holistic approaches to pest, 
weed, and disease control;
``(xii) recruiting and training organic 
certification staff and inspectors, with an 
emphasis on expanding opportunities for 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and 
increasing diversity in the certification 
process;
``(xiii) increasing access to land for 
socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and 
small and mid-sized farms and ranches and 
promoting long-term organic management (such as 
purchasing land for incubator projects, 
promoting and supporting lease-to-own 
contracts, resolving heirs property issues, and 
establishing easements that facilitate long-
term organic stewardship);
``(xiv) supporting tenant farmers, 
including through leasing options that serve 
tenants and landlords long term;
``(xv) hosting or supporting regional 
conventions, conferences, farmer-led training 
sessions and programs, field days, teach-ins, 
and other educational opportunities focused on 
organic production; and
``(xvi) establishing infrastructure for 
interfarmer skill sharing and exchanges, 
including virtual forums.
``(C) Producer transition and resilience funding.--
``(i) 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 operations, socially disadvantaged 
farmers or ranchers, or small or mid-sized 
farms or ranches.
``(ii) Term.--
``(I) In general.--Funding provided 
under this subparagraph shall be for a 
term of 4 years.
``(II) 1-time funding.--The 
Secretary may not renew funding 
provided to a recipient under this 
subparagraph.
``(iii) Use of funds.--Funding awarded 
under clause (i) may be used to offset the 
costs of and reduce barriers to becoming or 
expanding a certified organic farm, including--
``(I) creating or expanding an 
organic system plan (as defined in 
section 205.2 of title 7, Code of 
Federal Regulations (as in effect on 
the date of enactment of the 
Opportunities in Organic Act)), 
including--
``(aa) completing organic 
certification documents, 
planning, and recordkeeping; 
and
``(bb) developing a 
conservation plan to address 
all natural resources, 
including soil health;
``(II) adopting, improving, or 
expanding organic management, 
including--
``(aa) eliminating the use 
of synthetic pesticides, 
synthetic fertilizers, or 
antibiotics;
``(bb) the implementation 
of cover cropping, crop 
rotation, or rotational 
grazing;
``(cc) the production and 
use of compost and manure 
(including purchasing tools, 
supplies, or storage);
``(dd) sourcing or 
producing organic seed and 
feed;
``(ee) hedgerow and 
ecosystem enhancement planting 
and design;
``(ff) purchasing supplies 
for intercropping and 
polycropping or other 
specialized equipment for use 
in organic management; and
``(gg) supporting 
beneficial predators, 
pollinator habitats, erosion 
prevention, or watershed 
restoration;
``(III) paying for costs associated 
with processing, storage, and 
distribution equipment and facilities;
``(IV) carrying out on-farm 
research to monitor and document the 
impacts of transition to organic, 
including in partnership with an 
institution of higher education or 
another entity;
``(V) soil testing;
``(VI) debt relief to improve 
access to capital and financial 
stability;
``(VII) forming a cooperative or 
farmer-to-farmer network;
``(VIII) providing training to 
become an organic inspector to expand 
revenue and regional inspection 
capacity;
``(IX) overcoming barriers to land 
access, 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 
management;
``(X) paying for labor costs, 
including costs associated with 
improvements to workplace safety, 
compensation, professional development, 
and staff training on transition to 
organic implementation;
``(XI) improving food safety 
practices and obtaining related 
certifications;
``(XII) providing or participating 
in organic agriculture educational 
opportunities;
``(XIII) providing compensation for 
foregone income during transition to 
organic due to short-term changes in 
yield and limited market options;
``(XIV) construction or improvement 
of housing for apprentices, trainees, 
or volunteers or other on-farm 
infrastructure; and
``(XV) financial, business, and 
farm planning.
``(iv) Organic system plan.--As a condition 
of receiving funding under this subparagraph to 
carry out any of the activities described in 
subclauses (II) through (XV) of clause (iii), 
an organic operation, socially disadvantaged 
farmer or rancher, or small or mid-sized farm 
or ranch shall be required to develop an 
organic system plan described in subclause (I) 
of that clause.
``(D) Organic supply chain funding.--
``(i) In general.--An eligible nonprofit 
organization that is awarded funding under this 
subparagraph may use the funding to support 
organic supply chain development, including by 
providing the funding to other entities to 
support organic supply chain development.
``(ii) Use of funds.--Funding awarded under 
clause (i)--
``(I) may be used to strengthen 
organic capacity or expand access to 
certified organic handling operations, 
including--
``(aa) constructing, 
expanding, or improving access 
to a certified organic handling 
operation;
``(bb) purchasing farm 
equipment, value added 
supplies, and other materials 
that improve market access; and
``(cc) pursuing organic 
certification for an existing 
handling operation; and
``(II) shall be used to strengthen 
opportunities in organic capacity for 
socially disadvantaged farmers or 
ranchers, small or mid-sized farms or 
ranches, vulnerable agricultural 
regions (such as farms near schools, 
childcare providers, residential areas, 
and sensitive ecosystems), or under-
resourced agricultural regions.
``(E) Communications; meetings.--An eligible 
nonprofit organization that receives funding under 
subparagraph (B), (C), or (D) shall--
``(i) communicate not less frequently than 
once per quarter with each other entity awarded 
funding pursuant to those subparagraphs--
``(I) to monitor progress with 
respect to transition to organic and 
organic supply chain development;
``(II) to address improvements and 
impacts of the transition to organic, 
including observed changes in 
biodiversity, soil health, pests, 
weeds, and disease occurrence, crop 
yield, and resilience;
``(III) to address challenges 
associated with transition to organic;
``(IV) to consider market 
opportunities and the adoption of 
additional practices; and
``(V) 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 
practices; and
``(ii) meet not less frequently than 
annually for each year for which funding is 
provided with staff of the Department of 
Agriculture (as determined by the Secretary) to 
discuss program participation and impacts, 
demographics and scale of participants, 
transition to organic success rates, market 
opportunities, research results, and challenges 
identified in the transition to organic.
``(2) Technical assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall increase 
regional resources to support organic management, 
including technical assistance, outreach, supply chain 
coordination, and activities described in subparagraph 
(B), through expanded organic-related capacity and 
partnerships at--
``(i) the Department of Agriculture, 
including within the Agricultural Marketing 
Service, the Farm Service Agency, the Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, the Risk 
Management Agency, the offices under the 
Undersecretary of Rural Development, the Food 
and Nutrition Service, and climate hubs, with 
an emphasis on local and regional offices;
``(ii) universities and educational 
institutions, with an emphasis on institutions 
serving socially disadvantaged farmers and 
ranchers;
``(iii) the cooperative extension programs 
of the Secretary, including the Federally 
Recognized Tribes Extension Program;
``(iv) State, regional, and Tribal 
departments of agriculture; and
``(v) eligible nonprofit organizations.
``(B) Authorized activities.--Activities carried 
out through the entities described in subparagraph (A) 
shall include--
``(i) regional education sessions on 
organic management;
``(ii) the development of regionally 
tailored resources, technical assistance 
programs, and teaching farms for organic 
producers and producers in transition to 
organic, 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 programs;
``(iii) ongoing outreach to and needs 
assessment of producers in transition to 
organic to identify barriers to organic 
production and mechanisms to address those 
barriers;
``(iv) the identification of priority 
locations to promote transition to organic, 
including near schools and childcare providers, 
residential areas, and sensitive ecosystems;
``(v) organic supply chain and 
infrastructure development;
``(vi) the expansion of organic and local 
supply chains and market opportunities, 
including establishing channels for producers 
to offer products to institutional buyers and 
supporting purchases through nutrition 
programs; and
``(vii) advancing food waste reduction 
strategies that support producer income and 
soil health, including--
``(I) closed-loop programs that 
connect community composting and food 
scrap collection operations with farms; 
and
``(II) coordination to maximize use 
of farm products, composting, and waste 
reduction.'';
(8) in subsection (e) (as so redesignated)--
(A) by striking ``including the number'' and 
inserting the following: ``including--
``(1) the number'';
(B) in paragraph (1) (as so designated), by 
striking the period at the end and inserting a 
semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) the demographics, acreage, and sales of producer 
participants that received support under the program, 
aggregated by region;
``(3) the number of producers and handlers that--
``(A) received support from the program in the 
previous fiscal year;
``(B) began transition to organic; and
``(C) achieved new organic certification;
``(4) any barriers to achieving organic certification;
``(5) the transition to organic activities carried out by 
eligible nonprofit organizations and the metrics used to 
evaluate the success of those activities;
``(6) research findings and best practices to support 
transition to organic;
``(7) changes in organic-relevant capacity at public 
institutions of higher education and eligible nonprofit 
organizations; and
``(8) changes in availability of organic-relevant technical 
assistance.''; and
(9) in subsection (f)(1) (as so redesignated), by striking 
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) and inserting the following:
``(A) $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 and 
2028;
``(B) $80,000,000 for fiscal year 2029; and
``(C) $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2030 
and 2031.''.
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