The Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025 establishes the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative within the Department of Agriculture. This initiative will coordinate and expand resources dedicated to organic agricultural research across the Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service. Its duties include reviewing existing research, developing strategic plans, and conducting surveys to inform future research priorities. The initiative will also make recommendations for expanding research, improving coordination, and developing data for both organic and conventional producers, with a focus on areas like climate change adaptation and ecosystem services. The bill amends the existing Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), extending its authorization through 2030 and significantly increasing its funding, reaching $100 million annually by fiscal year 2030 . New purposes for OREI include facilitating the adoption of traditional ecological knowledge and identifying how organic agriculture can adapt to and mitigate climate change . Furthermore, the Act authorizes new competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities specifically focused on the transition of nonorganic to organic production systems , aiming to overcome barriers and document the environmental benefits of such transitions. These transition grants are authorized at $10 million for fiscal years 2026-2027, increasing to $20 million thereafter. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the sector, the legislation directs the Economic Research Service to conduct an economic impact analysis of organic agricultural management . This analysis will consider various farm sizes, regional differences, and production practices, assessing both direct and indirect economic impacts on rural and urban communities. The Secretary of Agriculture must submit a plan for this analysis within one year and a full report within three years of the plan's submission. This provision aims to provide valuable data for evaluating the organic and conventional crops industries from regional and national perspectives.
Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-1385| Senate
| Updated: 4/9/2025
The Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025 establishes the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative within the Department of Agriculture. This initiative will coordinate and expand resources dedicated to organic agricultural research across the Agricultural Research Service, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Economic Research Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service. Its duties include reviewing existing research, developing strategic plans, and conducting surveys to inform future research priorities. The initiative will also make recommendations for expanding research, improving coordination, and developing data for both organic and conventional producers, with a focus on areas like climate change adaptation and ecosystem services. The bill amends the existing Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), extending its authorization through 2030 and significantly increasing its funding, reaching $100 million annually by fiscal year 2030 . New purposes for OREI include facilitating the adoption of traditional ecological knowledge and identifying how organic agriculture can adapt to and mitigate climate change . Furthermore, the Act authorizes new competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities specifically focused on the transition of nonorganic to organic production systems , aiming to overcome barriers and document the environmental benefits of such transitions. These transition grants are authorized at $10 million for fiscal years 2026-2027, increasing to $20 million thereafter. To provide a comprehensive understanding of the sector, the legislation directs the Economic Research Service to conduct an economic impact analysis of organic agricultural management . This analysis will consider various farm sizes, regional differences, and production practices, assessing both direct and indirect economic impacts on rural and urban communities. The Secretary of Agriculture must submit a plan for this analysis within one year and a full report within three years of the plan's submission. This provision aims to provide valuable data for evaluating the organic and conventional crops industries from regional and national perspectives.