Proposed adjustments threaten analysis, conservation help, and farmer entry to USDA packages.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 28, 2025 — On the Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), we’re dedicated to advocating for natural analysis in addition to the establishments and packages that make that work potential. That’s the reason OFRF submitted feedback to the USDA relating to the reorganization proposed in a July twenty fifth memo.
The USDA’s proposed plan—developed with out enter from affected communities or Congress—comes at a time when public agricultural analysis and technical help are extra very important than ever. For natural and transitioning-to-organic farmers, this plan threatens the very basis of the USDA’s capacity to ship on its mission, notably in analysis and conservation help.
“All farmers and researchers, not simply these utilizing or learning natural farming techniques, want continuity, not turmoil,” mentioned Gordon N. Merrick, OFRF’s Coverage Program Director.
In our feedback, linked right here, OFRF highlighted how the actions outlined on this plan would:
- Erode institutional capability agency-wide. The 2018 relocation of the Nationwide Institute of Meals and Agriculture (NIFA) and Financial Analysis Service (ERS) demonstrated how hasty relocations lead to vital attrition of seasoned workers, an affect that the company has but to totally get well from.
- Hinder grant administration. Employees reductions would solely worsen the present delays in RFA administration, undermining analysis timelines and belief.
- Delay on-the-ground help for farmers. Pure Useful resource Conservation Providers (NRCS) subject places of work, already understaffed, are essential to conservation implementation and free technical help. This plan would exacerbate delays regardless of rising demand and programmatic funding ranges.
- Disrupt public-good science. Agricultural Analysis Service (ARS) websites and Germplasm Assortment Applications, very important for long-term analysis and system resiliency, can be misplaced.
- Cut back entry to USDA packages for rural communities. OFRF and companions function bridges to USDA packages, however all of us finally want strong employment in all county-level places of work. Centralizing techniques and shutting places of work would minimize farmers off from important help.
OFRF is urging the USDA to pause this reorganization instantly, and as an alternative:
- Conduct a cost-benefit evaluation that assesses service disruption dangers and different elements.
- Publish a public justification report exhibiting how adjustments will strengthen USDA’s mission.
- Launch a proper notice-and-comment course of, together with listening classes in agricultural areas.
“Disrupting institutional data and repair capability now threatens the natural sector’s capacity to satisfy the challenges of our time, from financial to ecological,” Merrick added. “This reorganization plan wouldn’t end result within the strengthening of USDA to satisfy its mission, however a big blow to its capacity to satisfy that mission.”
Learn the complete model of OFRF’s submitted feedback on our advocacy web page right here.
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In regards to the Natural Farming Analysis Basis
The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, with a distant crew primarily based throughout the U.S., works to foster the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming techniques. OFRF cultivates natural analysis, training, and federal insurance policies that convey extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing. For extra details about OFRF, please go to our web site: www.ofrf.org.
Media Contact: Ashley Dulaney, ashley[at]ofrf.org
