S1385-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Organic Science and Research Investment Act of 2025.

2. Coordinating and expanding Organic Research Initiative Title IV of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 is amended by inserting before section 404 (7 U.S.C. 7624) the following: In this section: The term Initiative means the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative established under subsection (b). The term Secretary means the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Scientist. The Secretary shall establish, and appoint the members of, an initiative, to be known as the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative, to coordinate and expand the resources that the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service dedicate to organic agricultural research. The Initiative shall carry out the following duties: Coordinating all research conducted by the Secretary that is applicable to organic agricultural producers and transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers. Reviewing and assessing the completed and ongoing organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary. Developing iterative strategic plans for future organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary. Conducting the surveys and submitting to the Secretary the reports under subsection (e)(1). The Secretary shall appoint not fewer than 12, and not more than 18, members to the Initiative. To be eligible for appointment to the Initiative under paragraph (1), an individual shall— be in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service (as defined in sections 2102 and 2101a of title 5, United States Code); and have expertise in organic agriculture from a science, research, or technical assistance division of a Department agency. In appointing members to the Initiative, the Secretary shall ensure that— not fewer than 1/4 of the members are appointed from each of— the Agricultural Research Service; and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and not fewer than 1 member is appointed from each of— the Office of the Chief Scientist; the National Organic Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service; the Economic Research Service; and the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Secretary shall designate a member of the Initiative appointed from the Office of the Chief Scientist to serve as the Chair of the Initiative. A member of the Initiative— shall serve for a term of 5 years; and may be reappointed to the Initiative. Not later than 3 years after the establishment of the Initiative, and every 5 years thereafter, in coordination with the roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension described in section 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614a), the Initiative shall— conduct a survey of all research relating to organic agriculture of the Secretary; and submit to the Secretary a report containing the findings of the survey conducted under subparagraph (A), which shall include sections relating to each of the 4 agencies described in subsection (b). The Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) recommendations relating to— expanding the research conducted by the Secretary that— is applicable to agricultural producers that adhere to the requirements under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); and would explore the new or enhanced research opportunities that could lead to new discoveries, foster innovation, improve technologies, and promote integrated systems approaches to assist— organic agricultural producers; consumers of organic food products; organic marketing and distribution channels; transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers, including with respect to barriers to transitioning to organic production and producers who have considered transitioning to organic production but decided not to do so; and the organic food industry; strategies to increase the coordination and effectiveness of projects carried out by the Secretary that are applicable to organic production and that would improve the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and ecosystem services of organic crop and livestock production, including strategies relating to— developing new public plant cultivars and livestock breeds that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production; expanding the applicability and cost-effectiveness of integrated, ecologically based pest, weed, and disease management for crop and livestock systems; developing integrated organic production systems that— enhance ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production; and optimize agricultural resilience to the impacts of climate change and other stresses, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation; improving the remote sensing and monitoring capabilities for ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation; developing grazing, pasture, forage, and livestock manure management techniques that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production; enhancing irrigation and water management techniques used in organic crop and livestock production; enhancing food safety relating to organic crops and livestock products, including guidance on compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); developing new products and new uses of organic crops and livestock products; enhancing the quality of organically produced food, including taste, appearance, and nutritional value, after being processed into organic crop and livestock products, through genetic, processing, and related research topics; and other similar, relevant topics, as determined by the Initiative; and the development of data and applied research-based information useful to organic and conventional crop producers, associations of those producers, and other interested beneficiaries in evaluating the organic and conventional crops industries from a regional and national perspective. The Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B)— a review of the recommendations described in paragraph (2) included in the prior report submitted under paragraph (1)(B); and the actions taken by the Secretary to implement those recommendations. In carrying out this section, the Initiative shall engage in consultation, including with— the National Organic Standards Board; and land-grant colleges and universities. In preparing each report under subsection (e)(1)(B), the Initiative shall consult, on an ongoing basis, with a diverse array of— organic and conventional farmers, ranchers, handlers; and organizations that serve those farmers, ranchers, and handlers. In preparing the annual budget recommendations for the Department, the Secretary shall take into consideration the findings and recommendations contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B). In the budget material submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Agriculture in connection with the budget of the United States Government submitted by the President under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall include a report describing how the Secretary addressed each recommendation of the Initiative contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B). 401.Coordinating and expanding Organic Research Initiative(a)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)InitiativeThe term Initiative means the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative established under subsection (b).(2)SecretaryThe term Secretary means the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Scientist.(b)EstablishmentThe Secretary shall establish, and appoint the members of, an initiative, to be known as the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative, to coordinate and expand the resources that the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service dedicate to organic agricultural research. (c)DutiesThe Initiative shall carry out the following duties:(1)Coordinating all research conducted by the Secretary that is applicable to organic agricultural producers and transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers.(2)Reviewing and assessing the completed and ongoing organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary.(3)Developing iterative strategic plans for future organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary.(4)Conducting the surveys and submitting to the Secretary the reports under subsection (e)(1).(d)Appointment of members(1)In generalThe Secretary shall appoint not fewer than 12, and not more than 18, members to the Initiative.(2)EligibilityTo be eligible for appointment to the Initiative under paragraph (1), an individual shall—(A)be in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service (as defined in sections 2102 and 2101a of title 5, United States Code); and(B)have expertise in organic agriculture from a science, research, or technical assistance division of a Department agency.(3)RepresentationIn appointing members to the Initiative, the Secretary shall ensure that—(A)not fewer than 1/4 of the members are appointed from each of—(i)the Agricultural Research Service; and(ii)the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and(B)not fewer than 1 member is appointed from each of—(i)the Office of the Chief Scientist;(ii)the National Organic Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service;(iii)the Economic Research Service; and(iv)the National Agricultural Statistics Service.(4)ChairThe Secretary shall designate a member of the Initiative appointed from the Office of the Chief Scientist to serve as the Chair of the Initiative.(5)TermA member of the Initiative—(A)shall serve for a term of 5 years; and (B)may be reappointed to the Initiative.(e)Surveys; reports(1)In generalNot later than 3 years after the establishment of the Initiative, and every 5 years thereafter, in coordination with the roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension described in section 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614a), the Initiative shall—(A)conduct a survey of all research relating to organic agriculture of the Secretary; and(B)submit to the Secretary a report containing the findings of the survey conducted under subparagraph (A), which shall include sections relating to each of the 4 agencies described in subsection (b). (2)RecommendationsThe Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) recommendations relating to—(A)expanding the research conducted by the Secretary that—(i)is applicable to agricultural producers that adhere to the requirements under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); and(ii)would explore the new or enhanced research opportunities that could lead to new discoveries, foster innovation, improve technologies, and promote integrated systems approaches to assist—(I)organic agricultural producers;(II)consumers of organic food products;(III)organic marketing and distribution channels;(IV)transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers, including with respect to barriers to transitioning to organic production and producers who have considered transitioning to organic production but decided not to do so; and (V)the organic food industry;(B)strategies to increase the coordination and effectiveness of projects carried out by the Secretary that are applicable to organic production and that would improve the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and ecosystem services of organic crop and livestock production, including strategies relating to—(i)developing new public plant cultivars and livestock breeds that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production;(ii)expanding the applicability and cost-effectiveness of integrated, ecologically based pest, weed, and disease management for crop and livestock systems;(iii)developing integrated organic production systems that—(I)enhance ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production; and(II)optimize agricultural resilience to the impacts of climate change and other stresses, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation;(iv)improving the remote sensing and monitoring capabilities for ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation;(v)developing grazing, pasture, forage, and livestock manure management techniques that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production;(vi)enhancing irrigation and water management techniques used in organic crop and livestock production;(vii)enhancing food safety relating to organic crops and livestock products, including guidance on compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.);(viii)developing new products and new uses of organic crops and livestock products;(ix)enhancing the quality of organically produced food, including taste, appearance, and nutritional value, after being processed into organic crop and livestock products, through genetic, processing, and related research topics; and(x)other similar, relevant topics, as determined by the Initiative; and(C)the development of data and applied research-based information useful to organic and conventional crop producers, associations of those producers, and other interested beneficiaries in evaluating the organic and conventional crops industries from a regional and national perspective.(3)Review of prior reportThe Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B)—(A)a review of the recommendations described in paragraph (2) included in the prior report submitted under paragraph (1)(B); and (B)the actions taken by the Secretary to implement those recommendations.(f)Consultation(1)In generalIn carrying out this section, the Initiative shall engage in consultation, including with—(A)the National Organic Standards Board; and(B)land-grant colleges and universities.(2)Organic and conventional industriesIn preparing each report under subsection (e)(1)(B), the Initiative shall consult, on an ongoing basis, with a diverse array of—(A)organic and conventional farmers, ranchers, handlers; and(B)organizations that serve those farmers, ranchers, and handlers.(g)Consideration by SecretaryIn preparing the annual budget recommendations for the Department, the Secretary shall take into consideration the findings and recommendations contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B).(h)Report by SecretaryIn the budget material submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Agriculture in connection with the budget of the United States Government submitted by the President under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall include a report describing how the Secretary addressed each recommendation of the Initiative contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B)..

401. Coordinating and expanding Organic Research Initiative In this section: The term Initiative means the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative established under subsection (b). The term Secretary means the Secretary, acting through the Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, in consultation with the Office of the Chief Scientist. The Secretary shall establish, and appoint the members of, an initiative, to be known as the Coordinating and Expanding Organic Research Initiative, to coordinate and expand the resources that the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Economic Research Service, and the National Agricultural Statistics Service dedicate to organic agricultural research. The Initiative shall carry out the following duties: Coordinating all research conducted by the Secretary that is applicable to organic agricultural producers and transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers. Reviewing and assessing the completed and ongoing organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary. Developing iterative strategic plans for future organic and transitioning-to-organic agricultural research of the Secretary. Conducting the surveys and submitting to the Secretary the reports under subsection (e)(1). The Secretary shall appoint not fewer than 12, and not more than 18, members to the Initiative. To be eligible for appointment to the Initiative under paragraph (1), an individual shall— be in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service (as defined in sections 2102 and 2101a of title 5, United States Code); and have expertise in organic agriculture from a science, research, or technical assistance division of a Department agency. In appointing members to the Initiative, the Secretary shall ensure that— not fewer than 1/4 of the members are appointed from each of— the Agricultural Research Service; and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture; and not fewer than 1 member is appointed from each of— the Office of the Chief Scientist; the National Organic Program of the Agricultural Marketing Service; the Economic Research Service; and the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Secretary shall designate a member of the Initiative appointed from the Office of the Chief Scientist to serve as the Chair of the Initiative. A member of the Initiative— shall serve for a term of 5 years; and may be reappointed to the Initiative. Not later than 3 years after the establishment of the Initiative, and every 5 years thereafter, in coordination with the roadmap for agricultural research, education, and extension described in section 7504 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (7 U.S.C. 7614a), the Initiative shall— conduct a survey of all research relating to organic agriculture of the Secretary; and submit to the Secretary a report containing the findings of the survey conducted under subparagraph (A), which shall include sections relating to each of the 4 agencies described in subsection (b). The Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B) recommendations relating to— expanding the research conducted by the Secretary that— is applicable to agricultural producers that adhere to the requirements under the national organic program established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.); and would explore the new or enhanced research opportunities that could lead to new discoveries, foster innovation, improve technologies, and promote integrated systems approaches to assist— organic agricultural producers; consumers of organic food products; organic marketing and distribution channels; transitioning-to-organic agricultural producers, including with respect to barriers to transitioning to organic production and producers who have considered transitioning to organic production but decided not to do so; and the organic food industry; strategies to increase the coordination and effectiveness of projects carried out by the Secretary that are applicable to organic production and that would improve the efficiency, productivity, profitability, and ecosystem services of organic crop and livestock production, including strategies relating to— developing new public plant cultivars and livestock breeds that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production; expanding the applicability and cost-effectiveness of integrated, ecologically based pest, weed, and disease management for crop and livestock systems; developing integrated organic production systems that— enhance ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production; and optimize agricultural resilience to the impacts of climate change and other stresses, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation; improving the remote sensing and monitoring capabilities for ecosystem services relating to organic crop and livestock production, including soil conservation and soil health, biodiversity, water management, carbon sequestration, and greenhouse gas mitigation; developing grazing, pasture, forage, and livestock manure management techniques that are regionally adapted and appropriate for organic production; enhancing irrigation and water management techniques used in organic crop and livestock production; enhancing food safety relating to organic crops and livestock products, including guidance on compliance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); developing new products and new uses of organic crops and livestock products; enhancing the quality of organically produced food, including taste, appearance, and nutritional value, after being processed into organic crop and livestock products, through genetic, processing, and related research topics; and other similar, relevant topics, as determined by the Initiative; and the development of data and applied research-based information useful to organic and conventional crop producers, associations of those producers, and other interested beneficiaries in evaluating the organic and conventional crops industries from a regional and national perspective. The Initiative shall include in each report submitted under paragraph (1)(B)— a review of the recommendations described in paragraph (2) included in the prior report submitted under paragraph (1)(B); and the actions taken by the Secretary to implement those recommendations. In carrying out this section, the Initiative shall engage in consultation, including with— the National Organic Standards Board; and land-grant colleges and universities. In preparing each report under subsection (e)(1)(B), the Initiative shall consult, on an ongoing basis, with a diverse array of— organic and conventional farmers, ranchers, handlers; and organizations that serve those farmers, ranchers, and handlers. In preparing the annual budget recommendations for the Department, the Secretary shall take into consideration the findings and recommendations contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B). In the budget material submitted to Congress by the Secretary of Agriculture in connection with the budget of the United States Government submitted by the President under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, for each fiscal year, the Secretary of Agriculture shall include a report describing how the Secretary addressed each recommendation of the Initiative contained in the most recently submitted report under subsection (e)(1)(B).

4. Researching the transition to organic Title XVI of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 is amended by inserting after section 1673 (7 U.S.C. 5926) the following: The Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities relating to the transition of nonorganic production systems into organic agricultural production systems for the purposes of— overcoming barriers to transitioning to organic agricultural production; documenting and understanding the effects of organic practices on ecosystem services, including soil health and fertility, greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration, water management, biodiversity-related services, and pest management; and developing improved technologies, methods, models, and metrics to document, describe, and optimize ecosystem services of transitioning agricultural production into organic management. Paragraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section. Following the completion of a peer review process for grant proposals received under this section, the Secretary may provide a priority to the grant proposals, found in the peer review process to be scientifically meritorious, that— actively partner with producers or conduct on-farm research; and actively involve— 1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601)); 1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382)); Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)); or Alaska Native-serving institutions or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions (as those terms are defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))). There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027; and $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter. 1674.Researching the transition to organic(a)Competitive specialized research and extension grants authorizedThe Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the Secretary), in consultation with the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, may make competitive grants to support research, education, and extension activities relating to the transition of nonorganic production systems into organic agricultural production systems for the purposes of—(1)overcoming barriers to transitioning to organic agricultural production;(2)documenting and understanding the effects of organic practices on ecosystem services, including soil health and fertility, greenhouse gas mitigation and sequestration, water management, biodiversity-related services, and pest management; and(3)developing improved technologies, methods, models, and metrics to document, describe, and optimize ecosystem services of transitioning agricultural production into organic management.(b)Grant administrationParagraphs (4), (7), (8), and (11)(B) of subsection (b) of the Competitive, Special, and Facilities Research Grant Act (7 U.S.C. 3157(b)) shall apply with respect to the making of grants under this section. (c)Partnerships encouragedFollowing the completion of a peer review process for grant proposals received under this section, the Secretary may provide a priority to the grant proposals, found in the peer review process to be scientifically meritorious, that—(1)actively partner with producers or conduct on-farm research; and(2)actively involve—(A)1890 Institutions (as defined in section 2 of the Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C. 7601));(B)1994 Institutions (as defined in section 532 of the Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 301 note; Public Law 103–382)); (C)Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1101a)); or(D)Alaska Native-serving institutions or Native Hawaiian-serving institutions (as those terms are defined in section 317(b) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b))). (d)Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—(1)$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027; and(2)$20,000,000 for fiscal year 2028 and each fiscal year thereafter..