Now, more than ever, Americans must support our farmers as they tackle the challenge of nourishing our nation through innovative, market-driven solutions like organic farming.
The Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG) is a USDA program that was strategically designed based on farmers’ input. The program empowers innovation by giving farmers the tools they need to address the biggest challenges in our domestic organic supply chain—directly and effectively.
Organic farmers and food makers have opted into a voluntary certification framework that provides transparency to American consumers who are increasingly seeking minimally processed foods free from health-harming chemicals, and artificial colors, preservatives, and flavors. OMDG is an America-first approach that’s about giving our hardworking farmers the tools they need to feed America and bolster rural farming economies across the country. It invests in projects that increase capacity to produce, manufacture, and distribute organic crops, livestock, and food products to meet growing domestic consumer demand.
OMDG projects are rooted in ideas that began around kitchen tables, in barns, and out in the fields of American farmers. American farmers like the fourth generation Lundberg Family Farms—the nation’s largest organic rice producer and processor—received OMDG funding to launch a comprehensive effort to support farmers entering the organic rice market and increase organic rice production. As consumer demand for organic rice continues to outpace the domestic supply, American farmers are facing increasing competition from imports. These funds will help farmers adopt the technology and expertise required to grow, process, and sell organic rice, which will help American farmers fulfill American consumer’s needs.
Straus Family Creamery, a trailblazer in innovative organic dairy practices and in building a collaborative regional dairy model, was awarded an OMDG grant to strengthen dairy processing capacity and economic resilience for their network of local organic dairy farmers. During a time of unprecedented loss of family farms in this area, Straus will help producers find solutions to rising expenses and improve on-farm resilience—ensuring opportunity for the next generation of organic dairy producers.
Fourth generation Alexandre Family Farm, known as the “first U.S. regenerative dairy” specializing in A2/A2 milk production, received funding to replace outdated milk collection, cooling, and storage equipment, as well as to purchase post-harvest hay collection equipment. As a dairy supplier for other yogurt and cheese companies in the region, this investment creates a downstream ripple effect, bolstering the supply chain and supporting regional brands and co-packers.
“As these funds are benefiting not just us, but the entire West Coast’s organic, pasture-based dairy producers,” says Blake Alexandre. “Increasing our brand penetration into new and expanded regions helps educate consumers about the importance of California regenerative organic milk, innovate on farm certifications that add margin, and model for small organic family farm expansion and innovation.”
These projects highlight just a few ways OMDG is enabling American farmers to grow their businesses, drive innovation, and help ensure the U.S. has the resources needed to support the future. The organic industry reached nearly $69.7 billion in sales in 2023, according to the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Industry Survey. However, underinvestment for organic programs in the Farm Bill has left American farmers ill-equipped to supply the growing demand for organic food.
By creating permanent funding for the Organic Market Development Grant program, Congress can stand with our farmers as they work to put wholesome, domestically grown food on every American table. Farmers and ranchers know best what our food system needs. By investing in them, OMDG creates a stronger, more self-reliant America.