Three piglets, one for every of the feedback we submitted to the USDA final month.
At OFRF, we all know that robust, 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 information once we submitted three totally 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 Software Equipment and Scientific Evaluation Course of. Every of those actions could seem 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 Software Equipment and Proposal Evaluation Course of. These processes, and the modifications described, straight have an effect on the accessibility, high quality, and affect of all USDA-funded analysis initiatives.
OFRF raised issues with the proposed addition of a “Disclosure of International Relationships” kind added to the Software Equipment, associated to a latest 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 america’ agricultural analysis system. Already, we’re seeing foreign-born researchers being impacted. Slightly than strengthening nationwide safety, this has the danger 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 improvement, and worldwide collaboration.
In a second Discover and Remark alternative, OFRF emphasised the significance of peer overview because the cornerstone of scientific integrity and accountability. NIFA’s aggressive grants rely upon truthful, clear, and numerous overview processes that steadiness scientific benefit with on-farm relevance. We advisable a wide range of pathways for enhancing the method’s capacity to reply to 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 initiatives that matter to farmers, communities, and the setting.
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 rely 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 neighborhood engagement, there are vital employees losses that persist for years into the long run. 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 classes, and clear justifications for a 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 benefit, farmer relevance, and numerous views. Whether or not it’s defending the integrity of peer overview, opposing exclusionary insurance policies in grant functions, or defending USDA’s analysis and repair capability, we’ll 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 depends upon robust, 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
