Senator Jon Tester Boosts Organic Farming in Montana

Senator Jon Tester is introducing legislation to helps producers who initiate organic farming techniques on their lands.  This month, Tester outlined his newest legislation, which provides assistance to producers who want to begin farming without fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. (www.tester.senate.gov)

His bill is aimed to help farmers transition from traditional farming techniques to certified organic farming.  According to the Senator’s website, this transition usually takes several years and results in a temporary decline in crop yields and production.  And agricultural producers can’t sell their chemical-free crops for higher premiums until they’re certified organic.

Tester’s legislation provides up to four $20,000 annual payments to farmers whose land has not been previously certified as organic.  These payments can be used for technical assistance, conservation management to protect the environment and animal welfare.  Farmers who receive “organic conversion assistance” must sign contracts with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture and verify compliance with the certification process annually.

Senator Tester is including his organic conversion assistance measure in the upcoming 2007 Farm Bill.  Please contact Senator Tester and thank him for including common sense provisions that help Montana farmers and the land!  

For More Information on the 2007 Farm Bill, visit:

Northern Plains Resource Council:            www.northernplains.org

Western Organization of Resource Councils:   www.worc.org

Audubon www.mtaudubon.org