Jones then further tightened up the appeal of organic meat, dairy, and poultry products by promising that the new rule would completely ban antibiotic use in livestock production and require all animals to be fed 100 percent organic feed. The USDA is also taking steps, albeit baby ones, to open up its billion dollar research program to programs looking at organic issues. In a keynote address at Eco-Farm, USDA Deputy Secretary, Richard Rominger, emphasized that the agency was committed to organic research and encouraged universities, farmers, and other institutions to apply for grants. The fact that the number two person at the USDA was at this conference and making such a strong statement concerning organic research was another testament to the shift in attitude at the agency. The study evaluated all research conducted by the agency and found that they devoted less than one-tenth of one percent of their research budget to organic issues.
Organic farmers deserve their share of America's agricultural research dollars.
Since organic is now one percent of the agricultural economy, at least one percent of the resources in each department's budget should be allocated towards organic projects. The USDA has a long way to go. Yet, he is optimistic for the future. People at the USDA no longer have to fear for their jobs if they advocate for organic projects. As a result, there are some positive developments in various departments of the agency to support the information needs of organic producers.