USDA is hosting a listening session on Tuesday, Nov 15 from 12-1pm PST to gather input on the Organic Transition Initiative, Pinpointed Organic Market Development grant program. The listening session is part of the $300 million investment in Organic Transition Assistance that was announced in August. Register for the listening session at: https://buff.ly/3UtvJtj

During the session, USDA will invite input from stakeholders about innovative ways in which organic infrastructure investments could support increased access to processing, storage, distribution, and consumer markets. This program will develop new and expanded markets for targeted domestic organic products by providing more resources and market certainty for producers and processors transitioning to organic or initiating new organic production and processing capacity.

We encourage OOC members to participate and share their experiences and insights.

For more information about the $300 million investment in the New Organic Transition Initiative to help build new and better markets and streams of income for farmers and producers, visit: https://buff.ly/3KXPNAo

OOC Coalition Member Oregon Tilth's Executive Director Chris Schreiner said he is "encouraged to see the highest levels of USDA recognize the multiple benefits of organic food and agriculture, including higher market value for producers and the climate change resilience that results from organic practices."