Three piglets, one for every of the feedback we submitted to the USDA final month.
At OFRF, we all know that sturdy, clear, and farmer-informed federal businesses are important for the success of all U.S. agriculture, however particularly natural agriculture. This month, we acted on that data after we submitted three completely different feedback on USDA actions: one to the USDA on their reorganization plan and two to the Nationwide Institute of Meals and Agriculture (NIFA) on proposed modifications to the Utility Equipment and Scientific Evaluation Course of. Every of those actions could appear bureaucratic and technical on the floor, however collectively they form the way forward for agricultural analysis and technical service supply.
NIFA Feedback
Earlier this summer season, NIFA introduced that they’re requesting public enter on proposed modifications to its Utility Equipment and Proposal Evaluation Course of. These processes, and the modifications described, straight have an effect on the accessibility, high quality, and impression of all USDA-funded analysis tasks.
OFRF raised considerations with the proposed addition of a “Disclosure of International Relationships” kind added to the Utility Equipment, associated to a current memo from the Secretary. Whereas framed as a transparency measure, this new requirement dangers chilling worldwide collaborations and excluding non-citizen scientists who’ve lengthy contributed to the energy of the US’ agricultural analysis system. Already, we’re seeing foreign-born researchers being impacted. Moderately than strengthening nationwide safety, this has the chance of hollowing out our analysis capability and weakening America’s management in agricultural innovation. OFRF urged NIFA to pause implementation of this requirement and have interaction with agricultural communities, from farmers to school researchers, in assessing its real-world impacts on analysis high quality, workforce growth, and worldwide collaboration.
In a second Discover and Remark alternative, OFRF emphasised the significance of peer assessment because the cornerstone of scientific integrity and accountability. NIFA’s aggressive grants depend upon honest, clear, and numerous assessment processes that steadiness scientific advantage with on-farm relevance. We really useful quite a lot of pathways for enhancing the method’s capability to answer the wants of farmers and reflecting observations relevant to real-world farm operations. These enhancements aren’t nearly enhancing the administration of NIFA’s analysis grant packages, they’re about ensuring that USDA analysis funding is awarded to tasks that matter to farmers, communities, and the surroundings.
Reorganization Feedback
In a much less formal remark alternative, OFRF weighed in on the USDA’s proposed reorganization plan, introduced on July 25, 2025. This plan threatens to additional erode the analysis and technical service capability farmers depend upon. Our feedback highlighted main dangers regarding scientific capability and program administration, and the very public-interest scientific mission this plan goals to attain. We discovered from the relocation of NIFA and ERS in 2018 that when relocation takes place quickly and with out group engagement, there are important workers losses that persist for years into the longer term. We known as on USDA to halt this reorganization till it engages in a clear, public course of with a cost-benefit evaluation, regional listening periods, and clear justifications for the way modifications will enhance core providers.
OFRF’s Dedication
OFRF works to have interaction in each legislative and administrative advocacy to reaffirm our dedication to making sure agricultural analysis is led with scientific advantage, farmer relevance, and numerous views. Whether or not it’s defending the integrity of peer assessment, opposing exclusionary insurance policies in grant functions, or defending USDA’s analysis and repair capability, we are going to proceed to floor our coverage priorities within the wants of natural farmers in addition to the researchers and technical service professionals that assist them.
Take Motion, Help Our Work
The way forward for natural analysis relies on sturdy, clear, and farmer-centered federal establishments. If you wish to assist defend that future:
Collectively, we are able to make sure that USDA analysis and providers stay a public good that builds a future for resilient farms and thriving communities.
Eat nicely and breathe deeply,
Gordon
