Earlier this year, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Winter Meeting brought together leaders and advocates from across the sustainable agriculture movement. We had the opportunity to sit down with Chris Schreiner, Oregon Tilth CEO, to get some insights on his experience. With 27 years at Oregon Tilth and serving as CEO since 2009, Chris has a wealth of knowledge about the organic sector and its engagement with federal policy. His perspective offers a valuable look into the current landscape of sustainable agriculture advocacy.

What is the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) and How is Oregon Tilth Involved?

NSAC, is a collection of non-profit organizations across the United States dedicated to supporting sustainable farming and food systems. Oregon Tilth has been a member of this coalition for nearly 15 years. Chris recalls his first NSAC meeting in 2011, recalling his initial learning curve in understanding the intricacies of legislative strategies, administrative procedures, and government programs. Oregon Tilth’s involvement with NSAC provides a crucial platform for federal advocacy, ensuring that the needs and benefits of organic agriculture are considered in policy decisions. This engagement allows Oregon Tilth to leverage policy as a powerful tool for positive change, complementing their market-based approaches like organic certification.

The Evolution of the NSAC Winter Meeting and the Organic Movement

Over the years, Chris has witnessed significant growth in NSAC’s membership and meeting attendance. Early meetings saw around 50 to 60 people, while now well over 100 grassroots organizations participate. This growth underscores the increasing unity and commitment within the sustainable agriculture movement to promoting a healthier and more vibrant food and farming system. It’s important to note that NSAC is a “big tent organization,” encompassing various aspects of sustainable agriculture, which is broader than just organic. While organizations like Oregon Tilth focus on organic practices, others address different facets of sustainability. The coalition’s work is member-driven, organized through various issue committees.

“NSAC has a unique voice in Washington, D.C., representing the diverse work of our members nationwide,” describes Michael Lavender, NSAC’s Policy Director. “From supporting organic agriculture and on-farm conservation to strengthening regional food systems, we bring grassroots expertise into federal policy to create a more sustainable and just food and farm system.”

Oregon Tilth’s Advocacy Focus Areas

Oregon Tilth is actively involved in several NSAC issue committees, including:

• Conservation, Energy, and Environment Committee: This committee focuses heavily on Farm Bill programs administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Programs) and CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program). Oregon Tilth actively works to ensure these programs effectively support organic farmers, sharing insights from their partnership with NRCS.
• Research, Education, and Extension Committee: Chris co-chaired this committee for an extended period. Their efforts have focused on increasing investments in federal research grant programs like SARE (Sustainable Agriculture and Research Education program), OREI (Organic Research and Extension Initiative), and ORG (Organic Transitions Program). They also work to enhance engagement between land grant universities and organic farmers, ensuring research and education agendas address the needs of the organic sector.
• Climate Change Subcommittee: Recognizing the critical intersection of agriculture and a changing climate, Oregon Tilth is also involved in this subcommittee. The focus is on policies and programs that promote best agricultural practices that improve soil health, and enhance farmer resilience in the face of extreme weather.

The Power of Policy and Advocacy

Chris emphasized how his involvement with NSAC has deepened his understanding of the importance of government policy and programs as a lever for change. While Oregon Tilth has long utilized the marketplace through organic certification and consumer choice, NSAC highlights the powerful role of advocacy in shaping agricultural practices and the marketplace. It underscores the necessity of ensuring organic has a voice with legislative offices, government administrators, and university leaders to secure a fair share of attention and resources. The recent historic investment of $300 million in organic programs through the USDA’s Organic Transition Initiative in 2022 demonstrates the impact of this advocacy.

Key Concerns from the Latest NSAC Winter Meeting

This year’s NSAC Winter Meeting in DC was particularly busy, with a significant focus on the Farm Bill. A dedicated “Lobby Day” saw members hold nearly 150 meetings with legislative offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.. Chris himself visited six congressional offices in Oregon, including meetings with senators and Representative Andrea Salinas Staff, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee. He also met with newly elected congresswomen to educate them and their staff about organic agriculture in Oregon.

A major topic of discussion was the Farm Bill extension in late December 2024 and the subsequent “orphaning” of key programs due to a lack of funding in the extension. This was a significant concern for the organic industry, particularly regarding:

• The Organic Certification Cost Share Program
• The Organic Data Initiative (providing crucial market data and pricing information)
• The Organic Certification Trade and Tracking program (vital for monitoring organic imports and preventing fraud)

The urgency to restore funding for these programs through annual appropriations and to ensure their strong inclusion in the next Farm Bill was a key message. The low prospects for a new Farm Bill passing in 2025 were also a point of concern, emphasizing the need to continue advocating for desired policies and investments despite the uncertainty.

Navigating Uncertainty and Looking Towards the Future

Chris acknowledged the significant uncertainty caused by the current administration’s rapid policy shifts and federal funding freezes. This adds to the inherent uncertainties in food and farming systems due to weather and market dynamics. He stressed the importance of a both near-term and long-term strategy for change, urging the organic sector to pace themselves and not be overwhelmed by daily disruptions.

Despite near-term challenges, the long-term vision remains strong. It involves continuing organic certification, education, and advocacy, while consistently sharing the positive impacts of organic agriculture. Framing organic outside of partisanship as a solution offering economic, environmental, and social benefits is crucial. Highlighting organic farming as an opportunity for diversification and risk mitigation for farmers and food businesses, as well as its alignment with potential policy priorities, will be key to future engagement.

By actively participating in coalitions like NSAC and consistently making the case for the organic opportunity, Oregon Tilth and the broader organic sector aim to secure the necessary support and resources to foster a more sustainable and resilient food and agriculture system for all. The journey may have its challenges, but the long-term vision and the power of collective action remain strong.