By Blake Jackson
US Senators Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Angus King (ME) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (ME) and Annie Kuster (NH) have introduced the Organic Market Development Act, which would codify and increase funding for the USDA's Organic Market Development Grant program.
The bill would maintain the current $75 million funding level and invest an additional $25 million annually. It would also expand grant eligibility to include cold storage, which is a major need for organic farmers.
Organic agriculture sales reached $60 billion last year and are continuing to rise. The bill is designed to help organic farmers meet this growing demand by providing them with the resources they need to upgrade their equipment and facilities and expand their markets.
The bill has the support of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, which says it would help keep more money in Maine's rural farming communities and benefit the state's organic dairy industry.
Lawmakers are working to include the bill in the upcoming farm bill.
Categories: New York, Business, Equipment & Machinery, Rural Lifestyle