Organic farmers are hoping to have their needs heard and included in the new farm bill. Here are a few of the items they are seeking to be included.
Creating a $50 million-a-year grant program to assist farmers in adopting organic practices
Providing $5 million annually to help farmers offset the cost of attaining organic certification
Establishing a $25 million-a-year organic farming research program
Organic growers pay a 5 percent surcharge on their crop insurance rates. They want that to stop. And, in a challenge to some big corporate players, the growers want to be able to recoup their losses from manufacturers of genetically engineered seeds in case of crop contamination.