Natural agriculture is not only a way for rising our meals and fiber, it’s a confirmed resolution to lots of the challenges dealing with U.S. agriculture immediately. It reduces dependence on imported artificial inputs, strengthens rural and concrete economies, and builds resilience to a altering local weather by way of supporting wholesome soils and agroecological methods. However, regardless of its speedy development and rising significance, public funding in natural agriculture applications has not saved tempo.
On the Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), we imagine that strategic, science-based insurance policies can unlock the total potential of natural farming. That’s the reason we have now developed a brand new set of Coverage Priorities designed to align analysis investments with market alternatives, improve technical and monetary help for natural farmers and farmworkers, and strengthen the inducement buildings that reward sustainable stewardship of our pure, social, and financial assets.
By embracing these insurance policies, Congress and the USDA can be sure that natural agriculture continues to be a thriving a part of the US’ meals system; creating financial alternatives, empowering producers, and delivering environmental advantages far past the farm.
Bridging the Analysis Funding Hole to Drive Innovation and Resilience
Natural agriculture is the fastest-growing sector in the US’ meals market, accounting for over 6% of whole meals gross sales and 15% of all produce gross sales. Regardless of this development, natural analysis receives lower than 2% of USDA’s analysis funding, and fewer than 1% of the Agricultural Analysis Service’s analysis funds. Concurrently, public agricultural analysis funding has declined by 20% since 2000, though each $1 invested generates over $20 in financial advantages. Non-public funding has tried to fill this hole, however it typically prioritizes proprietary applied sciences over public welfare.
This underinvestment slows the flexibility of U.S. farmers to maintain up with demand, growing our nationwide reliance on imported natural items and merchandise. Public analysis funding is important to closing the home provide hole and guaranteeing that communities throughout the US profit from the financial development of the natural sector. Growing federal investments in natural agriculture analysis will drive innovation, enhance resilience to agronomic and financial disruptions, and guarantee U.S. farmers have entry to top quality science-backed instruments.
