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Support in favor of proposed organic checkoff program

 

A farmer-director of the Organic Trade Association says a proposed organic checkoff will help U.S. producers meet the growing demand for organic crops.

Doug Crabtree grows organic grain, pulse and oilseed in Montana.

“The biggest thing holding organic back is supply in production. It’s kind of unique to be in this position in agriculture, but demand far outstrips supply. What we need to improve our operations is better and more production agronomic research” says Crabtree.

The United States imports more organic crops than it produces. Organic corn imports doubled in 2016 to almost half of the total U.S. supply and 80 percent of organic soybeans were imported.

There is a divide in the organic farming industry on the need for an organic checkoff program. Crabtree tells Brownfield the proposal addresses problems and concerns farmers have had with previous checkoffs.

“For instance it mandates a referendum. A minimum of every seven years there needs to be a vote to continue. It also specifies there will be a geographically representative board elected from all that pay into the checkoff” says Crabtree.

The Organic Trade Association, the largest organic lobbying group, supports the checkoff proposal.

Organic farmers have until March 20th to comment on the USDA proposal.

Click here to read and comment on the proposal.

Audio: Doug Crabtree, Montana organic farmer and farmer-director, Organic Trade Association