Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Fetterman, John [D-PA]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a new federal initiative to unify and expand organic research across USDA science agencies. It would coordinate research, set strategic priorities, and require regular surveys and reports to guide work on plant breeding, pest management, food safety, and market data for organic and transitioning producers.
Show full summary
- Organic and transitioning producers would get research targeted to farmer needs. The Initiative would push work on regionally adapted plant and livestock breeds, ecologically based pest, weed, and disease management, grazing and water management, and food safety and post‑harvest quality.
- USDA research agencies and staff would be organized under a new Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative inside Title IV. The Initiative would have 12 to 18 members drawn from competitive and Senior Executive Service ranks, require specific representation from the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Office of the Chief Scientist, the National Organic Program, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service, and members would serve 5‑year terms.
- Markets, consumers, and policy makers would get better data and periodic assessments. The Initiative must survey all Secretary organic research within 3 years and every 5 years after, produce reports with recommendations on marketing, new products, transition barriers, and strategies to improve productivity and ecosystem services, and the Secretary must consider those recommendations when preparing annual budget material to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to help farms go organic
If enacted, the bill would let USDA make competitive grants to help nonorganic farms transition to organic production. Grants could fund research, education, and on-farm projects that address barriers to transition and study ecosystem services like soil health and water. The Secretary could prioritize projects that partner with producers and projects involving 1890, 1994, Hispanic-serving, Alaska Native-serving, or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions. Congress would authorize $10 million for FY2026 and FY2027, and $20 million for FY2028 and each year after.
Much larger organic research grants
The bill would expand the Organic Research and Extension Initiative to include indigenous traditional ecological knowledge and climate adaptation research. It would require special rules for projects using indigenous knowledge, like a 1994 or Alaska/Native Hawaiian-serving institution as project director and free, prior, and informed consent. Authorized funding would rise to $60 million for FY2026, $70 million for FY2027, $80 million for FY2028, $90 million for FY2029, and $100 million for FY2030 and each year after.
Study of organic farming economics
The bill would require ERS to study the economic effects of organic farming under the National Organic Program. The Secretary would send a plan for the study to the House and Senate Agriculture Committees within 1 year after enactment. The final analysis would be due to those committees within 3 years after the plan is submitted. The study must look at different farm sizes, regions, jobs, local economies, environment, social effects, and land ownership.
More funding for organic data
If enacted, the bill would authorize $10 million for organic production and market data work for fiscal years 2025 through 2030. This replaces an older $5 million authorization. The funding would support ERS and others that make organic market and production data for producers and stakeholders.
New USDA organic research council
This bill would create a new USDA initiative to coordinate organic research across ARS, NIFA, ERS, and NASS. The Secretary would appoint 12 to 18 experts and name a Chair from the Office of the Chief Scientist. The initiative would survey all USDA organic research within 3 years and every 5 years after. The initiative would make recommendations the Secretary must consider when preparing annual budget requests.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Fetterman, John [D-PA]
PA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
NJ • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
WI • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
MN • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Peter Welch
VT • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
ME • I
Sponsored 4/9/2025
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 4/10/2025
Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
CO • D
Sponsored 3/25/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov