“In all chaos there is a cosmos, in all disorder a secret order.” ~Carl Jung
Reading the 2026 Farm Bill Through an Organic Lens
By John Foster, President, Wolf & Associates
As the House Agriculture Committee advances its latest version of the Farm Bill, what stands out is as much about absence as inclusion. This draft closely mirrors the 2024 House bill that stalled before full enactment, bringing back many of the same contested provisions. It also renews debate around pesticide regulation and animal welfare language—areas where the policy direction remains deeply contested.
In practical terms, this is a relatively constrained Farm Bill. Some of the broader funding and policy architecture has already been shaped through prior legislation, leaving this bill focused more on program structure, authorities, and policy direction than on sweeping new investment. Meanwhile, timing remains uncertain. The Senate is still developing its approach, and the current Farm Bill has been extended through September 30, 2026.
For organic operators, that uncertainty has real consequences. It limits visibility into future funding priorities, slows momentum on programs that could support domestic organic production, and places greater weight on existing tools built for a different market environment.
For the organic sector, what matters now is preparedness. Businesses that invest in operational discipline—clear documentation, strong internal controls, supply chain transparency, and practical risk management—will be better positioned regardless of how the policy landscape evolves.
This is yet another moment where being prepared matters.
Wolf & Associates works with clients every day to interpret policy signals, assess exposure, and turn uncertainty into practical action—so when the regulatory landscape does shift, they are ready.
If you are thinking through what the 2026 Farm Bill may mean for your organic business, we are always here as a resource.
Global Lens
Canada Updates Its Standards and Operating Manual
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has updated its standards, permitted substances list and its Canada Organic Regime operating manual.
Changes to the General Principals and Management Standards are available on line.
Inside the Beltway
Comment on Proposed Changes to National List
The National Organic Program has proposed additions to the US National List of materials for organic agriculture. Based on recommendations of the National Organic Standards Board, the proposed rules would:
- Allow carbon dioxide in crop production
- Allow meloxicam as a pain treatment for livestock
- Remove restrictions on the use of methionine in poultry feed
- Clarify use of sodium nitrate in fertilizer
Comments on Document Number AMS-NOP-22-0029 must be received by May 22, 2026.
Administration Says it Wants to Reduce Pesticide Use
The Department of Health and Human Services touted efforts to meet the administration’s order to “accelerate progress on farm modernization and long-term food supply security.” The announcement, in conjunction with USDA and EPA, listed over $1 billion allocated to:
- Better understand risks of chemicals to individual and population health
- Increase federal government investment in regenerative agriculture practices and education
- Spur private sector innovation in farming modernization by reducing red tape and matching private funding
The bulk of the funding ($840M) goes to the previously announced Regenerative Pilot Program, the Strengthening Agricultural Systems Program, and efforts to develop public-private partnerships within the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Other projects include $100 million for evaluating cumulative chemical exposures on individual health, $100 million to identify new cost-effective technologies that reduce reliance on pesticides, and $30 million for a grand prize challenge for cost-effective alternatives to pesticides used in pre-harvest desiccation.
Regulatory Updates
The California Healthy Food Procurement Fund Program—AB 1731—passed unanimously by the Assembly Agriculture Committee, a key step in making the bill law. Sponsored by California Certified Organic Farmers, the legislation would establish an approved vendor program and a fund to help schools purchase healthy, California-grown food.
Does This Sound Familiar?
California is considering initiating a state certification program for foods that are not ultraprocessed. The state defines ultraprocessed food (UPF) as any food or beverage that contains one or more ingredients with specified technical effects (e.g., emulsifiers, stabilizers, colors, flavors, flavor enhancers, non-nutritive sweeteners); and either contains “high amounts of” saturated fat, sodium or added sugar or contains a nonnutritive sweetener or certain other specified substances. The bill (AB 2244) would create a “California Certified” seal for non-UFP and establish a publicly available list of qualifying products along with certification records.
GMO Landscape
South Korea Shifts to Usage-Based GMO Labeling
South Korea has proposed new regulations that would require GM labeling for foods made with ingredients that derive from genetically engineered materials (soy sauce, sugar syrups and oils, for example), without regard to the presence of GM proteins or DNA in the final products. Implementation will begin as soon as December 31, 2026 for products make with soy sauce, and December 31, 2027 for other sugars and oils.
EU Approves 2 GM Crops for Import
The European Commission approved two genetically engineered crops (corn NK603 and sugar beet KWS20-1) for food and animal feed imports and processing. The two authorizations, which do not cover cultivation, were published in the European Union’s Official Journal on March 3, 2026, and remain valid for 10 years.
GMO Corn Variety Deregulated in US
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service deregulated Bayer U.S.-Crop Science MON 95379 corn. This corn was developed using genetic engineering to resist damage caused by certain lepidopteran pests, such as fall armyworm, sugarcane borer, and corn earworm.
People & Events
Organic Valley Makes Use of Carbon “Insets”
In an effort to encourage emissions reduction from farm to table, Organic Valley is collaborating with Stonyfield Organic, UNFI and Whole Foods Market to verify greenhouse gas reductions. The program uses carbon insetting to assist their farmers with implementing regenerative, climate-smart farming practices, rather than buying offsets elsewhere.
Congratulations, Suzanne Sengelmann!
Lundberg Family Farms has promoted Suzanne Sengelmann from chief growth officer to chief executive officer, making her the company’s first female CEO.
And more congratulations: Lundberg Family Farms received the Climate Collaborative’s Climate Communications Leadership award at Expo West 2026. The award honors organizations that have demonstrated significant leadership in communicating climate action with clarity, transparency, and integrity.
Our Condolences
Blake Rankin, founder of Choice Organic teas, has passed away. Under his leadership, Choice Organic teas became the first exclusively organic tea company in the United States and the first US tea brand with Fair Trade certification.
Opportunity Calls
Organic Certifiers, part of the Foodchain ID group, seeks a full time Certification Program Manager. The position is remote within the United States.
On Our Radar
US Organic Sales Growing Faster Than Non-Organic Sales
Sales of organic products in the United States have grown twice as fast as the comparable market, reports the Organic Trade Association’s Organic Market Report. Valued at $76.6 billion in 2025, the market grew 6.8%. Organic food sales ($ $70.1 billion) dominate, led by fresh produce ($22.7 billion). Berries were the top selling organic produce, up 10.5% to $4.4 billion. The organic category, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 5.6%, is expected to cross the $100 billion threshold in 2030.
PFAS Pesticides Show Up in Annual Produce Review
The Environmental Working Group’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce reports that 75% of non-organic, or conventionally grown, produce samples contained pesticide residues. In 12 produce items with the highest pesticide contamination, based on the number, amount and toxicity of detected pesticide residues, 96% contained pesticides. PFAS pesticides appeared on 63% of Dirty Dozen samples. Three of the 10 most detected pesticides meet the internationally recognized definition of PFAS.
Organic Farming—For the Birds?
Accelerated decline of bird abundance in North America coincides with areas of high-intensity agriculture (marked by higher pesticide and fertilizer use and/or cropland area), according to a study published in Science, and the effect is stronger in areas that have more pronounced temperature increases. Warm and warming regions also coincide with areas where bird abundance has declined.
Marketing Meets Mission
Progress for Sustainable Produce Packaging
Congratulations to the Organically Grown Company for demonstrating the practicality of its plastic-free net produce bags. The recyclable and compostable bags, made from cellulosic yarn derived from Forest Stewardship Council certified beechwood, were a highlight of the company’s recent NEXTY Award for Packaged Produce.