PENNSYLVANIA — In a significant move to bolster the state’s organic agricultural sector, Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 157 on Wednesday. This bill officially creates a PA Preferred Organic™ brand for Pennsylvania-grown organic agricultural products.
The new PA Preferred Organic label will serve as a mark of quality and assurance, meeting both U.S. Department of Agriculture standards for organic production, and the rigorous standards of the PA Preferred® program for goods grown in Pennsylvania.
House Bill 157 amends Title 3 (Agriculture) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark, further providing for definitions, licensee qualification, duties and authority of the department, trademark license agreement, application and licensure process, costs, Pennsylvania Preferred® Trademark Licensing Fund, injunctive relief, rules and regulations, and purpose. This action was taken as Act No. 21 of 2023, on November 1, 2023.
Pennsylvania’s agriculture sector contributes a staggering $132 billion annually to the state’s economy, reflecting the Commonwealth’s long-standing tradition of agricultural leadership. The enactment of House Bill 157 builds on Governor Shapiro’s investments in organic agriculture through the Pennsylvania Farm Bill and the newly created Organic Center of Excellence outlined in the 2023-24 budget.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding stated, “Products that earn the PA Preferred Organic brand will give consumers confidence they are getting a quality product that meets the high standards they expect. The Shapiro Administration is working with the legislature to help build consumer confidence in locally-grown products, so that Pennsylvania organic farmers continue to grow their businesses’ bottom lines and keep Pennsylvania on top.”
Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation in organic sales, generating $1.09 billion annually, a remarkable 47% increase over just two years. Boasting over 1,000 certified organic farms, Pennsylvania leads the nation in sales of organic livestock, poultry, and mushrooms.
Representative Eddie Day Pashinski, the bill’s prime sponsor, commented, “Creating an easily identifiable PA Preferred Brand logo for PA-grown organic products is a win for Pennsylvania’s farmers and producers as well as our consumers who will know that label means quality because their purchase was grown in PA, by PA Farmers, for PA families.”
The bipartisan Shapiro Administration budget for 2023-24 includes $1 million to create the first-of-its-kind Organic Center of Excellence. This center will empower and support organic farmers and businesses, uphold product integrity, and increase consumer confidence through rigorous food safety testing.
Transitioning to organic — and maintaining certification — is an investment for farmers seeking to meet the standards that earn the USDA Certified Organic seal on their products. The seal assures consumers that products are grown and processed according to rigorous, established, scientific management practices that enhance biodiversity and soil health.
With the signing of House Bill 157, Pennsylvania continues to assert its leadership in the organic agriculture sector, furthering economic growth, and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Find information and resources for meeting standards and promoting organic products at agriculture.pa.gov.
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