Last week, AB 937 made significant progress as it successfully moved out of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. This victory was driven in part by the powerful and heartfelt testimony of Manuel Reyes, a farmer and recipient of the Organic Transition Pilot Program (OTPP). His story highlighted the importance of ensuring farmers have the support they need to transition to organic and access new markets.
Manuel’s testimony left a lasting impact on committee members. A farmer with many years of experience, he spoke about the challenges of building trust with customers without organic certification. “The problem was, without certification, it was incredibly difficult to gain credibility with new customers. They didn’t trust that my food was grown organically without that official label,” he shared. Manuel emphasized how organic farming aligns with his values and brings the financial benefit of a price premium which certification offers. However, he pointed out that the journey to certification comes with obstacles, and without proper support, it is difficult to succeed.
The success of AB 937 is a key milestone in the ongoing effort to support organic farmers. This bill will expand access to technical assistance and provide the necessary resources for farmers to successfully transition to organic. We are one step closer to ensuring that California’s organic farmers have the tools they need to thrive, and we’re excited to continue advancing this important legislation.