Organic Trade Association Reacts to Organic Investment Legislation

The Organic Trade Association applauded the introduction of the Domestic Organic Investment Act in the House and Senate.  The bill makes essential improvements to expand U.S. farmers’ and manufacturers’ capacity to meet the demands of the growing organic marketplace, now at $71 billion.

The Domestic Organic Investment Act will codify the Organic Market Development Grant program administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service. The development program will: 

• Increase the capacity of the domestic organic product supply chain for producers, handlers, suppliers, and processors of certified organic products;
• Modernize manufacturing, tracking, storage, and information technology systems;
• Improve the capacity of eligible entities to comply with applicable regulatory requirements or quality standards required to access markets;
• Expand capacity for processing, aggregation, and distribution of certified organic products to create more and better markets for producers of certified organic products; facilitate market development for domestically produced certified organic products;
• Conduct feasibility studies and market viability assessments to inform organic transition strategies and opportunities;
• Address barriers to entry to organic product certification for historically underserved entities; and
• Support market and promotional activities that help build commercial markets for certified organic products in the United States.

“Oregon has long been a national leader in organic agriculture, yet too many of our growers still face hurdles when it comes to getting their crops onto grocery store shelves,” said Oregon Representative Andrea Salinas. “Whether it’s the lack of modern processing facilities, storage capacity, or the technology needed to stay competitive, these gaps stop family farms across Oregon from reaching their full potential. This bill will invest in our organic growers, supporting local jobs, reducing reliance on imports, and ensuring Oregon farmers remain at the forefront of a resilient, innovative organic economy. I’m grateful to my colleagues for their work to support organic farmers in Oregon and across the country.”

“Wisconsin is America’s Dairyland, and to keep that legacy, we need to support our farmers and make sure they can meet the demands of families. With the demand for organic foods continuing to skyrocket, we need to make sure that any farmer who wants to grow their business, has the tools and resources to do it,” noted Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin. “I’m working with Democrats and Republicans so more organic farmers can expand their operations, support good paying jobs, and continue to be the beating heart of our rural communities.” 

“Maine’s organic agriculture industry continues to grow at a rapid pace with the support of federal investments and strong market demand. However, many organic producers still face challenges in expanding their operations and accessing new markets,” said Maine Senator Susan Collins. “This bipartisan legislation would make permanent the USDA’s Organic Market Development program and help organic food producers in Maine and across the country modernize their operations, expand their capacity, and better compete in today’s global marketplace.”

While the U.S. organic sector grew at double the pace of conventional agriculture in 2025, domestic organic production hasn’t kept pace with the growth in demand for organic products. The purpose of the new legislation is to create competitive grants for organic producers and manufacturers to invest in increased storage, processing, aggregation, and distribution capacity.

“These infrastructure investments will remove longstanding barriers from the farm-gate through the supply chain to give organic producers and manufacturers the capacity they need to meet the growing demand,” said Matthew Dillon of the OTA.