Organic Farming and the “Organic Checkoff”

While national marketing campaigns would certainly get the word out about organic foods, the idea of ‘organic checkoff’ programs doesn’t set well with organic farmers. What are checkoff programs? Think of the national campaigns for milk (Got Milk?), eggs (The Incredible Edible Egg), and beef (Beef: It’s What’s for Dinner).

The Organic Trade Association, the largest trade group for organic agriculture, petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday to begin the process of establishing an organic checkoff. While the OTA believes that a checkoff program could help grow organic’s share of the grocery market, many producers and advocates are concerned that the tax will further entrench the interests and control of large-scale organic producers and retailers and will make it harder for smaller farmers and organic producers to compete.

Read the full article on the proposed fund to promote organic produce on Slate.com.