If you've been wondering how to speak up during this challenging and unpredictable times, this jam-packed virtual workshop is for you! Gordon Merrick, OFRF’s Senior Policy and Programs Manager explains how and why farmers and researchers might communicate with their legislators, how the legislative process works, and how best to leverage your story. ?? Gordon packs years of his legislative law courses into a few minutes of plain-spoken language for the rest of us. He also shares examples of effective farmer and researcher engagement with policy makers, and hear more about how directly engaging with representatives can have a huge impact on advancing organic farming and food systems. Be sure to like and save this to come back to later! https://lnkd.in/gHHYn8zN #CommunicatingWithLegislators #OrganicAdvocacy #ShareYourStory
Organic Farming Research Foundation
农业
Santa Cruz，California 27,068 位关注者
Fostering Improvement and Widespread Adoption of Organic Farming Systems
关于我们
Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 with the goal of advancing organic agriculture through scientific research. As a leading champion of organic farmers across the U.S., OFRF works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems by cultivating organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production. Through these efforts, OFRF is creating a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system that values healthy environments and healthy people. OFRF grants have lasting impacts on organic farming knowledge and the lives of farmers and researchers. We regularly survey organic farmers about their challenges and information needs, and use their feedback to define research funding priorities. One unique facet of OFRF grant projects is close collaboration between farmers and researchers. Overall, OFRF grant funding has advanced scientific knowledge and improved the practices, ecological sustainability, and economic prosperity of organic farming. OFRF grants have played a crucial role in advancing the careers of young scientists, enabling them to leverage significant additional funding. OFRF works to ensure that policymakers are informed about organic farming issues and farmer needs by advocating for programs that support organic producers. We are currently engaged in a grassroots effort to support passage of H.R. 2436 – The Organic Agriculture Research Act, which would increase funding for the Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) and make it part of the permanent Farm Bill budget (aka “the baseline”). OREI has a solid track record of delivering quality research and education about organic systems. The results of OREI-funded research have had impacts well beyond the organic community in areas such as soil health and seed breeding. Sign up for our monthly online newsletter at ofrf.org to receive the latest news and learn how you can get involved.
- 网站
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https://ofrf.org
Organic Farming Research Foundation的外部链接
- 所属行业
- 农业
- 规模
- 2-10 人
- 总部
- Santa Cruz，California
- 类型
- 非营利机构
- 创立
- 1990
- 领域
- organic farming、organic farming policy、organic farming education、organic farming research、organic farming grants、climate change policy、climate change research和soil health research
地点
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主要
获取路线
P.O. Box 440
US，California，Santa Cruz，95061
Organic Farming Research Foundation员工
动态
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This week, OFRF joined more than 30 organic leaders in Washington, D.C., for the National Organic Coalition (NOC) Fly-In—a powerful gathering of farmers, advocates, brands, and nonprofits working together to secure a stronger future for organic. ?? Our Senior Policy & Programs Manager Gordon N. Merrick, J.D., and newly hired Policy Fellow Vinnie Trometter met with Members of Congress and USDA officials across Capitol Hill. Together with our coalition partners, we advocated for urgent action on the challenges threatening the growth and stability of organic agriculture. At the top of the list: ??? Unfreezing USDA funds already obligated to farmers, businesses, and rural communities. ??? Protecting funding for the USDA National Organic Program (Agricultural Marketing Service) to uphold strong enforcement and fair competition. ??? Continuing support for essential programs like the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), and the Organic Market Development Grant Program (OMDG). From climate resilience to market opportunity, organic agriculture plays a critical role in the future of food—and it deserves the federal support to match. We’re proud to bring farmer-driven priorities to the table and to stand alongside so many dedicated partners pushing for policies that work. Thank you to the National Organic Coalition for organizing another impactful fly-in! ???? Together, we’re making organic voices heard! ?? #NOCFlyIn #OrganicOnTheHill #ProtectOrganic #OrganicFarming #FarmBill #OrganicAgriculture #OrganicResearch #OFRF #PolicyInAction
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Welcome Vinnie! ??? Vinnie Trometter (he/him/his) joins #TeamOFRF as our new Policy Fellow after being involved in a number of agriculture policy campaigns on Capitol Hill relating to anti-trust, pesticide preemptions, climate-smart agriculture, country of origin labeling, the Commodity and Crop Insurance titles of the Farm Bill, and animal welfare laws involving the egg and pork industries. ???? ?? Vinnie’s passion for organic agriculture stems from his mother growing up on a subsistence organic farm outside of Philadelphia. As such, Vinnie grew up heavily influenced by concepts of healthy eating and knowing where your food comes from. He views the promotion of organic agriculture as a way for farmers to mitigate supply chain risks and become better stewards of the land. ?????? ?? Vinnie did his undergraduate studies at Penn State University and earned a master’s degree at Trinity College of Dublin, Ireland. We're excited to have him join us!
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"Talk about return on investment." Even in the best of times, the USDA’s National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) operates on a shoestring budget with minimal staffing—yet its impact is enormous. With just 0.000008% of the federal budget (!!!), NPGS scientists help safeguard a $1.5 trillion food system by maintaining the genetic diversity that farmers and researchers rely on to grow crops that can weather disease, drought, and a changing climate. At OFRF, we believe this kind of quiet, essential work is exactly what public research funding should protect. The recent wave of research staff terminations—now under review—has reminded us how vulnerable even our most foundational systems can be. This article does a powerful job of explaining what’s at stake and why sustained investment in agricultural science matters for us all. Thank you to Seed Savers Exchange and all those working to preserve agricultural biodiversity—this work underpins the future of our food system.
Preserving seeds is essential to securing the future of our food system. This recent New York Times article underscores the critical importance of safeguarding biodiversity in agriculture and the immense challenges facing organizations, both federal and nonprofits like Seed Savers Exchange, dedicated to this work. Protecting genetic diversity is about seeds—it’s also about preserving cultural heritage, building resilience against climate change, and ensuring food security for generations to come. This work is urgent and increasingly at risk. With consolidation on the rise, the preservation of heirloom and open-pollinated seed varieties is a fight to protect irreplaceable resources. These seeds hold the key to adapting to changing climates, combating pests and diseases, and, let’s not forget, maintaining rich flavors and traditions. It’s vital that we recognize the importance of this work and support organizations and initiatives committed to protecting biodiversity. Whether through growing diverse crops, sharing seeds, or advocating for policies that prioritize agricultural diversity, we all have a role to play in securing our food future. Let’s ensure these seeds—and the stories they carry—continue to thrive!
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Join OFRF at the MANRRS conference for an insightful panel where professionals of color share their diverse career journeys across organic farming, food policy, research, and community advocacy. Our Research and Education Director, Thelma Velez will join other panelists to discuss the rewards and challenges of working in organic agriculture, offer practical advice for getting started, and share tips on finding your purpose in this dynamic field. Plus, this session will provide opportunity to learn about the Organic Career Network—a program connecting you to paid internships, mentorship and career-building opportunities in organic ag. #ConferenceSeason #Memphis #Tennessee #MinoritiesInAg #MANRRS2025
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Welcome Maia! Maia Garby (she/her/hers) joins us as our Spring 2025 Graduate Research & Education Intern. ?? She has a research background in regenerative and organic agriculture, having worked as a field researcher with Minnesota’s Regenerative Agriculture Alliance and as a full-time research technician for Utah State University’s Plants, Soils, & Climate Department. ?? She is deeply passionate about sustainable food system reform and in the ability of healthy, sustainably-produced food to bring together both People and Planet. ?? Maia has a Bachelor’s in Environmental Biology from Carleton College and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Sustainability, with dual specializations in Corporate Sustainability & Innovation and Sustainable Food Systems through the Harvard University Extension School. We're glad to have her on the team! Thanks to Organic Farmers Association and the National Transition to Organic Partnership Program #TOPPnational for support in offering these #Internships. #Intern #Internship #ResearchAndEducation
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Someone recently told us that they think of organic farmers as being either the mad scientists or magicians of the farming world, because they tend to "just try things,” conducting unofficial mini experiments to see what works on their farms. ????????♂? We have some thoughts about this (like, maybe more organic research is needed to support farmers... ?? You don't say?). But we wanted to come straight to the source and hear from you. Do you "just try things" on your farm? Let us know in the poll, or drop your latest experiment in the comments below.
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Can cover crops reduce nitrate leaching?? ?????? Learn more in this video (the first in a series) from one of our favorite researchers at the Salinas ARS Research Station, Dr Eric Brennan, as he describes a 2-year study to compare over-winter versus fall-terminated cover crops in rotation with vegetable production. A fantastic example of research money hard at work answering critical questions to help farmers improve production while also protecting drinking water for everyone! https://lnkd.in/gHGBrtkf #InvestInOrganic #OrganicResearch #SalinasARS #AgricultureResearch #OrganicForThePlanet
Fall terminated versus Winter Cover Crops to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in California - Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/
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Do you know what's happening with organic research in your state? How much funding comes in? What research topics are being addressed? ??? OFRF has developed state-by-state handouts to communicate the size of the organic market, the importance of organic research investments, and the array of regional research priorities across the country. What surprised you about your state? ?? Let us know in the comments! Then head to our Advocacy Page to explore the map and learn more about your state (or any of them!). ??Download, save, print, and share these with friends, fellow organic advocates, or even your Members of Congress. We'd love to hear how you use them! Find them all at https://lnkd.in/gG3KUtj5
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As we collectively navigate a challenging landscape of funding freezes and federal firings, we wanted to pass along some words of hope and inspiration that were shared with us last week by some folks we really admire. The organic sector is full of dedicated, passionate people, who have overcome much to get where we are. Together we will continue to grow a future that is healthy for people and the planet. Thank you for being here. Breathe deep and take care. ?? Team OFRF ??
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