USDA is accepting public comments until August 26 on a sweeping plan to relocate nearly half of its 4,600 D.C.-based employees to five regional offices. This follows losses of more than 15,000 staff through voluntary resignations, including roughly one-third of the National Organic Program (NOP) staff!
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We’re deeply concerned about the impact this reorganization could have—not only on organic farming and NOP capacity, but also on research, conservation, and the critical services USDA provides. The decisions made now could shape organic’s future for years to come.
With appreciation,
Abby Youngblood, on behalf of the National Organic Coalition (NOC) team
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Short and Long Sample Text for Sharing on Your Channels:
Take Action by Aug. 26: USDA proposes a major reorganization that would move nearly half of its D.C.-based staff after significant agency losses, including at the National Organic Program (NOP). Organic integrity depends on a well-resourced NOP and uninterrupted USDA services. Add your voice in two minutes: TAKE ACTION HERE. Please share widely.
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More detailed information:
Take Action – Comment on USDA’s Reorganization Plans by August 26
USDA is accepting public comments until August 26 on its sweeping plan to relocate nearly half of its 4,600 Washington, D.C.-based employees to five regional offices across the country. This comes after the agency already lost more than 15,000 employees through the administration’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), including roughly one-third of the National Organic Program (NOP) team.
The USDA organic seal is one of the most trusted labels in the marketplace—but its integrity depends on a strong, well-staffed NOP. NOP employees oversee the certification process, enforce against fraud, and ensure fair competition for farms and businesses. We are deeply concerned that further staff losses under this reorganization could severely weaken USDA’s ability to safeguard organic integrity.
But the potential fallout doesn’t stop there. USDA’s reorganization could also jeopardize essential research functions and disrupt the critical services that farmers across all sectors rely on from USDA agencies.
Make Your Voice Heard
The organic market is the fastest-growing sector in the U.S. food market, and NOP staff are essential to sustaining its growth and protecting its standards. We need the organic community to speak out on USDA’s reorganization plans and urge the agency to preserve the staffing and resources necessary for NOP to do its job effectively.
To make it simple, NOC has prepared clear talking points you can use or adapt in your own words.
