MONTEREY >> Organic farming has significantly grown over the last decade. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2019 Organic Survey, the number of certified organic farms increased by 17% between 2016 and 2019. The types of products that used to be found primarily at health food stores are now available at nearly all grocery stores.

With this growth and increasing demand for organic products, many producers have limited access to necessary technical assistance and mentorship due to cost barriers. That is something Rep. Jimmy Panetta hopes to address in legislation he introduced this week to level the playing field for all organic farmers.

Coauthored with Rep. Alma Adams, D-North Carolina, the Opportunities in Organic Act seeks to reduce cost barriers for organic producers, expand access to new markets and resources, and provide support and training for farmers.

While there are programs in place that support organic agriculture and research, as well as transitioning farms from nonorganic to organic, Panetta emphasized in a news release that the costs for organic certification are an obstacle for many farmers, and regions with smaller organic sectors have minimal access to organic-specific technical assistance.

“Despite the rising demand for organic agricultural products, some producers are finding it difficult take full advantage of these opportunities due to cost and skill barriers,” Panetta wrote. “I’m proud to author and introduce this legislation that would allow organic producers to overcome those barriers by streamlining reimbursements for organic certification and connecting them with the training, skills, and relationships they need to be successful. By expanding programming and services for these producers, we can ensure that our farmers are capitalizing on the immense opportunity that exists in the organic marketplace.”

The 19th District, which Panetta represents, includes Watsonville and northern Monterey County, which are both home to a variety of organic farms.

Specifically, the legislation would modernize reimbursements for organic certifications, with cost-share payments covering up to $1,500, to prevent costs from discouraging producers. It would also provide support for nongovernmental organizations to assist with organic transitions, particularly for socially disadvantaged producers in underserved regions and provide resources for partnerships at public institutions, including support for education, outreach and market expansion.

“Organic agriculture is growing in North Carolina, but farmers seeking to join this market face barriers in transitioning their operations to make the most of this opportunity,” Adams, a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement. “The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023 would make it easier for farmers to bring healthy, sustainable food to market. This legislation helps socially-disadvantaged, beginning, and smaller-scale farmers and ranchers make the transition to organic agriculture. It also builds capacity for much-needed technical assistance to producers, with an emphasis on institutions that serve socially disadvantaged farmers and have a track record of practical, farmer-focused work on the ground. Farmers want to reach new markets and feed our families while building healthy soil, ecosystems, and communities. The Opportunities in Organic Act of 2023 helps make that work a reality, and I am proud to join Rep. Jimmy Panetta in leading this vital legislation.”

Co-sponsors include Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose; Suzanne Bonamici, D-Oregon; Jim McGovern, D-Massachusetts; Donald Payne Jr., D-New Jersey; Chellie Pingree, D-Maine; and Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont, has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.