Sign On to Protect the USDA NOP

BY National Organic Coalition | Apr 04, 2025

NOC Members & Network Affiliates,

Federal agencies are being directed to implement drastic reductions in force (RIF). USDA Secretary Rollins has noted that they will soon be “optimizing and reducing the size of the workforce to become more efficient.” The Department of Health and Human Services recently cut over 10,000 jobs, and USDA employees have been sent a second deferred resignation offer. We believe that decisions on NOP staffing will be imminent.

The National Organic Program oversees a more than $70 billion sector in the U.S. with a staff of around 85 people. Cuts to this small team will hinder support for new and expanding operations, weaken enforcement, delay services, and compromise the NOP’s ability to prevent fraud and uphold the consumer trust that is essential to the organic label. We need your voice to prevent this, and our timeline is tight.

The National Organic Coalition, Organic Trade Association, Organic Farmers Association have crafted a letter to Secretary Rollins stating the case for the value of a well-staffed NOP. We ask you to please:

• Review this letter (link here), and show your support by signing on!
• Share it with organic operations in your supply chain: certified organic farmers, businesses, retailers, and food co-ops.
• The deadline to sign on is 1pm EST on Monday, April 7th.

We know you may receive this request from multiple networks—we appreciate your understanding and your partnership. Contact information provided to sign the letter will be used solely for verification and will not be shared or added to any email lists.

The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. We need the organic sector to unite and be heard. It has taken 35 years to build the NOP into what it is today— going backward is not an option. Please stand with us for organic integrity and a strong National Organic Program.