Organic programs benefit hemp producers
Domestic organic supply has been an ongoing concern for the US Department of Agriculture. In 2021, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported an 11% decline in certified organic ground and an 18% decline in transitional organic land between 2019 and 2021. During that time period, NASS also reported an increase in growers, indicating they were discontinuing organic production, from 6% to 8%.

The response from the USDA has been dizzying, with investment from a range of sources at the agency. Among these are the Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP), Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), Transitional and Organic Grower Assistance (TOGA), Organic Market Development Grant (OMDG), Organic Transition initiative — Environmental Quality Incentives Program (OTI-EQIP) and the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP).

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