During the 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to support sustainable agriculture by increasing funding for "the National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program to help farmers afford the costs of compliance with national organic certification standards." He also promised to reform federal crop insurance rates "so that they do not penalize organic farmers."

Being an organic farmer isn't cheap, and the most expensive part of the process is adopting the strict land and water conservation practices required to get the Agriculture Department seal of approval.

So Obama accomplished the first part of his promise.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture operates two organic certification cost-share programs through its National Organic Program. In a 2012 report to Congress USDA said it reimbursed organic farmers and handlers by more than $6 million through these programs in Fiscal Year 2011, up 20 percent over the previous year. The report said the program was promoted through advertising, direct mail and other methods to eligible organic operations.

Barbara Haumann, a spokesman for the Organic Trade Association, said her group sees this as sufficient to keep Obama"s promise.

The second half of the promise -- to adjust crop insurance rates for organic farmers -- has not yet been achieved, however.

Obama made the proposal because, without specific insurance to cover organics, many farmers have been loath to get into the business. Since early 2009, risk management experts at the USDA have been looking into how much it might cost to cover organic crops lost to drought, fire, flood and other natural disasters, according to the Agriculture Department.

However, the Organic Trade Association says that the progress so far has been limited.

"Provisions have been made for select crops, but it is still a work in progress," Haumann said. "One of the Organic Trade Association"s 'asks" for the 2012 Farm Bill is … 'to direct the (Agriculture) Secretary to continue work on price elections for organic crops, remove premiums from crop insurance rates for organic farmers and create appropriate risk management tools that take into consideration the needs of the organic sector, including the diversity of organic farms."

So Obama fulfilled the first part of his promise but has not yet completed the second part. On balance, we rate this a Compromise.

During the campaign, Barack Obama promised to help organic farmers by spending more on the federal program that helps them certify the foods they grow and by making sure they aren't penalized by crop insurance rates.

On May 5, 2009, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the 2009 Organic Initiative, which will provide funding to farmers who are interested in growing organic crops. The program will be paid for by revenue from a land conservation program.

"Assisting organic producers is a priority of the 2008 Farm Bill as well as for Secretary Vilsack and the Obama administration," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan. "The objective of this initiative is to make organic food producers eligible to compete for EQIP financial assistance."
 
Being an organic farmer isn't cheap, and the most expensive part of the process is adopting the strict land and water conservation practices required to get the Agriculture Department seal of approval. Through the Organics Initiative, farmers will be able to apply for grants to help them pay for this transition. Farmers who are already growing organic crops but want to plant more can also apply for the money.

Without specific insurance to cover organics, many farmers have been loath to get into the business, so Obama also promised new insurance products. However, the Agriculture Department would have taken this step anyway because it was required as part of the new farm bill passed under the Bush administration. Since early 2009, risk management experts at the USDA have been looking into how much it might cost to cover organic crops lost to drought, fire, flood and other natural disasters, according to the Agriculture Department.
 
So Obama is largely fulfilled his pledge to help organic farmers get their food certified, but he hasn't quite fulfilled the insurance part. So for now, we rate this one In the Works.