FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OFRF leads coalition of 90 companions advocating for elevated funding in natural analysis to advertise a sustainable and thriving agricultural sector.
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2024 — The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), joined by a coalition of 90 farms, companies, organizations, and tutorial establishments, is urging Congress to considerably improve funding for natural agriculture analysis within the upcoming Farm Invoice.
A letter has been despatched to key Home and Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, emphasizing natural analysis’s vital function in selling a sustainable, resilient, and economically thriving agricultural sector.
“Natural agriculture affords a mess of advantages, from improved soil well being and decreased environmental impression to stronger rural economies and elevated shopper demand,” mentioned OFRF Govt Director Brise Tencer. “Nonetheless, present analysis funding ranges proceed to fail to mirror the sector’s potential and progress trajectory.”
The letter emphasizes the necessity for elevated funding in a number of key areas, together with:
- An annual improve of $10 million for the Natural Analysis and Extension Initiative (OREI).
- Congressional authorization of the Researching the Transition to Natural Program at $10 million a 12 months, growing to $20 million within the third 12 months of the Farm Invoice.
- Elevated funding for the Natural Markets and Knowledge Initiative, together with a report on the financial impression of natural farming on communities and ecosystems.
- The creation of an Natural Analysis Coordinator place inside the Workplace of the Chief Scientist on the USDA.
- Inclusion of local weather change and the facilitation of Conventional Ecological Data topic to Free and Prior Knowledgeable Consent from the tribal communities that possess this information as legislative priorities for OREI.
“Investing in natural analysis is an funding in the way forward for American agriculture,” Tencer continued. “Offering our farmers with the instruments and data they should succeed can guarantee a extra sustainable and affluent meals system for generations to come back.”
The total letter signed by OFRF and its companions may be learn on the OFRF website right here.
To assist safe a future for natural agriculture, urge your representatives to help elevated funding for natural analysis within the Farm Invoice. We’re working with the Nationwide Natural Coalition to make sure your voice is heard by offering an easy-to-use instrument to ship a customized message to your representatives right this moment. You may entry the free instrument right here.
###
About Natural Farming Analysis Basis
About OFRF: The Natural Farming Analysis Basis works to foster the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming methods. OFRF cultivates natural analysis, training, and federal insurance policies that carry extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing. For extra details about OFRF, please go to our web site: http://www.ofrf.org/.
Media Contact:
Ashley Dulaney, Communications Director, OFRF
ashley@ofrf.orf, (518) 565-0156
P.O. Field 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
