2022 was a busy and rewarding year for organic! 
 

Through HB5202, the Oregon Legislature declared organic an emerging sector and appropriated funds for an economic assessment. We’re expecting results from this report sometime this spring. We’re honored Oregon Tilth’s Executive Director Chris Schreiner is serving on the advisory committee for this landmark project. 

“This is a strategic opportunity to put Oregon on the map as a state investing in organic market analysis to support all farmers with climate adaptation, community resilience and economic opportunities,” said Oregon Tilth’s Executive Director, Chris Schreiner. 

The Oregon Legislature granted funds to protect specialty seed growers in the Willamette Valley. 

• $25,000 for an Economic Assessment of Willamette Valley brassica seed growers 
• $25,000 of in-kind communications services
• $25,000 to build grassroots coalition capacity to work on this issue 

In March, the United States Department of Agriculture published the Origin of Livestock Final Rule for Organic Dairy, a rule Oregon Tilth has advocated for for years. 

We outlined policy recommendations for the Organic Certification Cost Share program to make the program more efficient. We’d like to see the program help even more farmers! Check out our recommendations here:  oregontilth.link/OCCSP

Throughout 2022, the USDA made historic investments in organic and transitioning producers and the organic marketplace. 

“We’re seeing an important and timely investment in organic that will benefit consumers, farmers, and the environment. “It’s a milestone in the arc of this work,” said Oregon Tilth’s Executive Director, Chris Schreiner.