USDA Organic Action Plan

Betsy Rakola, Organic Policy Advisor

October 27, 2014

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Overview

• Organic Policy Advisor Role

• Organic Literacy Initiative update

• Organic Working Group update

• Stakeholder engagement

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Organic Policy Advisor role

• Permanent staff position advising the Office of the Secretary

• Coordinates USDA Organic Working Group, develops fiscalyear specific action plans

• Implements USDA’s 2013 Departmental Guidance on Organic 

Agriculture 

• Participates on other inter-agency USDA initiatives

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Organic Literacy Initiative

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Organic Literacy Toolkit

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www.ams.usda.gov/OrganicInfo usda.gov/organic

Tool Description

Organic 101 & 201 Training 

Modules

Online, self-guided training modules with information 

on USDA organic. Also available in USDA AgLearn (for 

USDA employees only). 

National Organic Program 

Website

USDA website with policy information, lists of 

certifying agents, and more

Printable Resources Posters and brochures on USDA programs and 

services for organic farmers, ranchers, and handlers

USDA Organic Resource Guide Detailed information on key USDA programs and 

services for organic producers and handlers

USDA Organic Portal Website with resources from across USDA for organic 

producers and handlers
2014 Farm Bill update

Farm Bill program implementation update

• Organic Research and Extension Initiative - $19 million 

• Cost share increased - $11 million available through states

• Organic data initiative restored - $5 million for data collection

• Organic crop insurance expanding

• Research and promotion “checkoff” exemption

• Option for proposal of organic checkoff program

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USDA Departmental Guidance on Organic

Secretary Vilsack’s May 2013 departmental guidance on organic 

agriculture outlined 5 priorities, which form the basis of the 

Organic Working Group’s project action teams:

• Training and outreach

• Supporting transition to organic

• Regulatory reciprocity (reducing paperwork)

• Research

• Data 

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OWG Themes: Reciprocity

Reciprocity team goals

1. Conservation - ongoing: Natural Resources Conservation 

Service and National Organic Program (NOP) are coordinating 

conservation program requirements and organic system 

plans.

2. Non-GE label claims – complete: Food Safety and Inspection 

Service streamlined procedures for certified organic meat 

and poultry processors

3. Crop insurance - new: Risk Management Agency and NOP 

will conduct a needs assessment for crop insurance 

documentation.

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OWG Themes: Research

Research team goals

1. Review and respond to NOSB research priorities.

2. Conduct a stakeholder needs assessment of organic research 

priorities and develop a white paper on critical research 

needs.

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Research highlights 

Organic Research & Extension Initiative research 

highlights

• Public corn breeding to increase cultivar access

• Natural strategies to alleviate enteric pathogens in poultry

• Cover cropping and no till in organic systems

• Assessing organic agriculture's impact on climate change 

mitigation

Rodale Institute visit to USDA

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OWG Themes: Data

Data team goals

1. Publish an inventory of data regarding organic and nongenetically engineered agriculture at USDA

2. Improve trade codes for better tracking of exports and 

imports

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Data highlights

Other data highlights 

• Organic special tabulation, 2012 census

www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/ 

Online_Resources/Special_Organics_Tabulation/organictab.txt

• Organic producer survey – publishing in 2015

– Data is key to developing new tools for organic producers. Please help 

us spread the word!

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OWG Themes: Training and Outreach

Training and outreach team goals

1. Update and republish the Organic Literacy Initiative

2. Work with external partners to distribute organic resources 

beyond the USDA

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OWG Themes: Supporting transition to organic

Supporting the transition to organic team goals

1. Assess technical and financial resources for organic transition 

at USDA

2. Create websites and fact sheets explaining resources for 

farmers and processors to transition to organic

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Stakeholder engagement

Focus on stakeholder engagement through 

outreach and education

• We want to hear from you!

• Organic policy advisor will host a webinar series on OWG 

topics during the winter and early spring to solicit stakeholder 

comments and ideas. 

• USDA & NOP will participate in several conferences and 

annual meetings this fall/winter.

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Questions

Thank you

Betsy Rakola

USDA Organic Policy Advisor

www.usda.gov/organic

Betsy.Rakola@osec.usda.gov

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