WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Washington, is sponsoring legislation intended to support research into organic agriculture and improve data collection for the country’s organic farmers, according to a press release.

The measure, Strengthening Organic Agricultural Research Act of 2023, is being co-sponsored with Reps. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Jimmy Panetta, D-California, will reauthorize the existing Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative while increasing funding for the bill, expanding grant programs for organic research and require the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service to give Congress better data on the production and sale of organic crops, the press release said.

“Central Washington farmers are constantly innovating so they can provide their organic products to the world,” Newhouse said in the statement. “To continue to grow and prosper, it’s important they have the necessary resources to remain competitive.”