The daybreak of a brand new yr all the time brings new alternatives. This yr, we’re persevering with our work to advocate for expanded public investments in natural agriculture analysis. To be sincere, 2024’s political panorama is admittedly daunting:
- FY24 appropriations nonetheless have to be handed by the top of the month.
- The Farm Invoice is operating up in opposition to a new March deadline.
- The FY25 appropriations course of is about to start.
- There’s a Presidential election on the horizon.
That being mentioned, at OFRF, we see these occasions as alternatives to make sure natural agriculture will get the popularity it deserves.
As we highlighted final month, 2023 was a momentous yr for natural coverage growth within the regulatory area. In 2024, we hope to convey that momentum to the legislative physique and work with our coalition companions to amplify our voices and name for elevated public investments in natural agriculture analysis.
To do that, we’ve got two main initiatives. First, we’ll proceed to construct broad assist for the Natural Science and Analysis Funding (OSRI) Act within the Senate and the Strengthening Natural Agriculture Analysis (SOAR) Act within the Home. If you happen to nonetheless have to get aware of these important marker payments, take a look at these hyperlinks for an outline and a few info on how one can assist unfold consciousness about them. Second, we’re dedicated to making sure that appropriators comprehend the pressing want for elevated funding in agricultural analysis and the far-reaching impression these investments have on the nation- economically, ecologically, and socially.
Together with the SOAR and OSRI Acts within the 2024 Farm Invoice is greater than only a step ahead in reaching parity between natural agriculture’s share of USDA analysis funding (at present <2%) and its market share (>6%). Extra importantly, these investments will contact the lives of communities nationwide.
Agricultural analysis applications prolong past answering producers’ queries or supporting early-career scientists—though they excel at each. These applications considerably profit the agricultural communities actively taking part in and internet hosting very important analysis initiatives. Notably, each greenback invested in public agricultural analysis generates a powerful $20 of advantages. Regardless of this documented impression, public funding for agricultural analysis has seen a 20% decline for the reason that flip of the century, in stark distinction to elevated funding in different analysis areas throughout the identical interval.
Recognizing the urgency of the scenario, we’re intensifying our efforts in appropriations advocacy, making certain that the places of work of appropriators perceive the vital significance and impression of the applications underneath their management.
Nonetheless, for us to maximise our effectiveness, we want your assist! If in case you have a narrative involving a analysis discovering, participation in a analysis mission, or a persistent analysis query that wants answering, please use our story type to contribute and assist us increase consciousness!
As all the time, please attain out if you wish to get entangled or are interested in our work! gordon@ofrf.org
Eat nicely,
Gordon
