Proposed adjustments threaten analysis, conservation help, and farmer entry to USDA packages.
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 28, 2025 — On the Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), we’re dedicated to advocating for natural analysis in addition to the establishments and packages that make that work doable. That’s the reason OFRF submitted feedback to the USDA concerning the reorganization proposed in a July twenty fifth memo.
The USDA’s proposed plan—developed with out enter from affected communities or Congress—comes at a time when public agricultural analysis and technical help are extra important than ever. For natural and transitioning-to-organic farmers, this plan threatens the very basis of the USDA’s means to ship on its mission, notably in analysis and conservation help.
“All farmers and researchers, not simply these utilizing or learning natural farming techniques, want continuity, not turmoil,” stated Gordon N. Merrick, OFRF’s Coverage Program Director.
In our feedback, linked right here, OFRF highlighted how the actions outlined on this plan would:
- Erode institutional capability agency-wide. The 2018 relocation of the Nationwide Institute of Meals and Agriculture (NIFA) and Financial Analysis Service (ERS) demonstrated how hasty relocations end in vital attrition of seasoned staff, an impression that the company has but to totally get better from.
- Hinder grant administration. Workers reductions would solely worsen the present delays in RFA administration, undermining analysis timelines and belief.
- Delay on-the-ground help for farmers. Pure Useful resource Conservation Providers (NRCS) subject workplaces, already understaffed, are essential to conservation implementation and free technical help. This plan would exacerbate delays regardless of rising demand and programmatic funding ranges.
- Disrupt public-good science. Agricultural Analysis Service (ARS) websites and Germplasm Assortment Packages, important for long-term analysis and system resiliency, can be misplaced.
- Scale back entry to USDA packages for rural communities. OFRF and companions function bridges to USDA packages, however all of us in the end want sturdy employment in all county-level workplaces. Centralizing techniques and shutting workplaces would lower farmers off from important help.
OFRF is urging the USDA to pause this reorganization instantly, and as an alternative:
- Conduct a cost-benefit evaluation that assesses service disruption dangers and different elements.
- Publish a public justification report exhibiting how adjustments will strengthen USDA’s mission.
- Launch a proper notice-and-comment course of, together with listening periods in agricultural areas.
“Disrupting institutional information and repair capability now threatens the natural sector’s means to satisfy the challenges of our time, from financial to ecological,” Merrick added. “This reorganization plan wouldn’t outcome within the strengthening of USDA to satisfy its mission, however a major blow to its means to satisfy that mission.”
Learn the complete model of OFRF’s submitted feedback on our advocacy web page right here.
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In regards to the Natural Farming Analysis Basis
The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, with a distant group based mostly throughout the U.S., works to foster the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming techniques. OFRF cultivates natural analysis, schooling, and federal insurance policies that convey extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing. For extra details about OFRF, please go to our web site: www.ofrf.org.
Media Contact: Ashley Dulaney, ashley[at]ofrf.org
