Organic grain farmers to press Congress on Farm Bill changes in Washington

Organic grain farmers will meet lawmakers in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 15 to push Farm Bill policies aimed at strengthening domestic production, import oversight and crop insurance. The Organic Farmers Association says the fly-in comes as U.S. organic sales keep rising faster than domestic acreage.

Why it matters: - Organic grain producers are seeking federal policies that could shape how organic food is grown, traded and insured in the U.S. - The push comes as certified organic sales reached $76.6 billion in 2025, while domestic organic acreage has not kept pace with demand. - OFA says stronger domestic investment is needed for national food security, rural development and a more competitive U.S. organic market.

What happened: - The Organic Farmers Association will bring organic grain farmers to Washington, D.C. on Sept. 15 for meetings with legislators. - The event is a special Organic Grain Fly-In focused on issues affecting organic grain producers, especially in Midwest grain-growing states. - OFA is using the fly-in to advocate for Farm Bill provisions that support the organic sector.

The details: - The Organic Import Verification Act would require USDA to test high-risk bulk imports of organic feedstuffs for residues of substances banned in organic production. - The Organic Import Verification Act is intended to protect organic integrity and create a level playing field for domestic producers. - The Domestic Organic Investment Act would direct USDA to reduce reliance on imported organic goods. - The Domestic Organic Investment Act would also create competitive grants for domestic organic producers and manufacturers. - The grants would support investment in storage, processing, aggregation and distribution facilities. - The Grain Trust Establishment Act would create a statutory trust for unpaid grain farmers. - The Grain Trust Establishment Act addresses cases where grain buyers use purchased grain as collateral before paying farmers. - If a grain buyer goes bankrupt or defaults, lender claims can outrank farmers, leaving farmers unpaid or forcing clawbacks of payments already delivered. - The farmers will also push for changes to crop insurance so the programs work for organic farmers as well as conventional farmers. - OFA Policy Director Lily Hawkins said organic farmers can help policymakers understand the challenges on their farms and shape solutions for domestic organic agriculture. - Hawkins said farmer voices take center stage when decisions are made in Washington. - U.S. sales of certified organic products accelerated in 2025 at a 6.8% annual growth rate, according to the 2026 Organic Market Report released by the Organic Trade Association.

Between the lines: - The added fly-in signals frustration with the pace of Farm Bill progress and a desire to keep pressure on Congress. - The policy list points to three big pain points for organic grain producers: import competition, lack of processing infrastructure and unpaid grain risk. - The crop insurance ask suggests existing federal risk tools still do not fit organic operations well. - The mismatch between rising consumer demand and slower domestic acreage growth is creating a policy opening for organic farmers to argue for more U.S. production.

What's next: - OFA is directing supporters to take action at the OFA action page. - More information on the Farm Bill policies is available on OFA’s policy page. - OFA said organic farmer members are available for interviews through Communications Manager Madison Letizia. - The organization is expected to use the fly-in to keep organic priorities in the Farm Bill debate as lawmakers continue work on the legislation.

The bottom line: - Organic grain farmers are heading to Capitol Hill to argue that the next Farm Bill should better protect domestic producers, strengthen organic supply chains and update federal programs for a fast-growing market.