Work on Farm Bill Marker bills continues, and a number of bills supporting organic are likely to be introduced next month. Meanwhile, read about the National Organic Standards Board meeting, a request for comments from USDA, and funding for producers transitioning to organic.

Congress continues work on the Farm Bill and begins the annual Appropriations process, and the National Organic Standards Board will meet this month in Atlanta.

Read about OFA Advocacy Days in Washington D.C., new USDA funding for independent meat processors, and how to participate in the upcoming Spring National Organic Standards Board Meeting.

Learn about the SOE rule, assistance for organic dairy farms, key congressional committees, and continuance of farm bill hearings.

Learn about leadership changes in Congress, wins for organic in the annual spending bill, and save the date for a big spring event.

Learn about the midterm election results, what they are likely to mean for the 2023 Farm Bill, and hear about what’s going on at USDA.

Find out more about the expanded list of import codes available for organic oversight, rapid implementation on Organic Animal Welfare Standards, USDA listening session on organic pinpointed market development support, and OFA's annual policy platform process.

On October 7, 2022, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) suspended the warehouse and grain dealer licenses for organic grain dealer Global Processing Inc. of Kanawha, Iowa. Global Processing also has facilities in Minnesota and Nebraska and had picked up many clients from bankrupt Pipeline Foods over the past year.

Find out about recently announced grants for climate-smart agriculture, how to weigh in on critical animal welfare standards, and what to say if you get the chance to talk to your members of Congress out on the campaign trail.

The USDA extended the comment deadline for the organic animal welfare standards to NOVEMBER 10, 2022.  Please sign our petition and submit an individual comment to the USDA in favor of fast finalization, implementation, and enforcement of the OLPS rule.   Farmers have been waiting far too long for the organic standards to clarify animal welfare standards the great majority of organic livestock farmers already implement on their farms.

OFA has named Lillian Hawkins to replace outgoing Patty Lovera as its new Policy Director, who is moving to a full-time role with Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment. Read more!

On July 8, 2021, organic and non-GMO grain buyer Pipeline Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Earlier this year, the company’s bankruptcy proceeding was finalized by a court in Delaware. Unfortunately, for some organic farmers who sold to Pipeline, this situation is still not behind them. This summer, some farmers have received “clawback” letters from a law firm in Minnesota serving as the trustee for Pipeline Foods’ liquidation.

Find out about USDA’s new program to support farmers transitioning to organic, changes to crop insurance programs, and how to comment on the next National Organic Standards Board meeting.

Even though the NOP organic standards state that all organic livestock should have access to the outdoors, an opportunity to express their natural behavior and have living conditions that lessen stress to promote health and well-being, these rules have not been universally implemented by all USDA organic operations.

Today, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced the details of The Organic Transition Initiative, a $300 million investment to support organic and transitioning farmers, and to address targeted organic market challenges.

It's been one year since Danone North America, which owns the organic dairy brand Horizon Organic, notified 89 organic dairy farm families in ME, NH, VT, and NY that they were terminating their dairy contracts in 12 months’ time and stopping all sourcing of milk in New England. They promised to invest in the northeast regional dairy industry to help provide a future for these farmers, but they continue to break this promise...

Kate Mendenhall, OFA Executive Director, testified today on the need for strong animal welfare standards in organic and support for the proposed Organic Livestock & Poultry Standards rule. Read her oral testimony to USDA National Organic Program here.

Find out about the latest on long-awaited updates to organic animal welfare standards, more money from Congress for conservation programs and how to get ready for the next Farm Bill.

Catch up on updates from OFA’s annual meeting, what Congress and the USDA have been up to, and how to weigh in on the next Farm Bill this summer.

Join us for our Annual Meeting and Reception on June 22nd!

Find out about USDA’s plans to help farms go organic, how Congress is getting ready for the next Farm Bill, and ways you can advocate for organic this summer.

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that they have opened two pots of money to reimburse farmers for 2022 organic transition & certification fees & other expenses.

Updates on NOSB spring meeting, Farm Bill priorities, and assisting Northeast organic dairy farmers losing Horizon contracts.

OFA Policy Director & Executive Director provided comments to the NOSB.

Updates on Origin of Livestock Rule, priorities for the next Farm Bill, delayed organic regulations, and NOSB spring meeting.

This month, OFA has been diving into conversations about what organic farmers need in the next Farm Bill, taking OFA priorities to Congress with our virtual advocacy days, and getting ready for the next National Organic Standards Board meeting in April.

This month OFA is tracking two long-awaited rules to strengthen the organic standards for livestock as they move through the approval process, efforts to help organic dairy farmers losing contracts in the Northeast and the beginning stages of the Farm Bill process in Congress.

On Friday, February 4, 2022, the USDA announced the appointment of four new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), including two certified organic farmers (MO and CA).

Updates on organic regulations, northeast organic milk, climate and social spending bill, and applying for additional organic certification cost share.

Updates on applying for organic certification cost share, climate and social spending bills, organic dairy in the northeast, and advocating for organic in the next farm bill.

7,739 organic consumers and farmers submitted a complaint to B Lab (administer of the B Corporation corporate social value certification program) against Danone North America, owner of Horizon Organic.  The complaint outlines violations the company has made against the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence.  These farmers and consumers are members and supporters of the eleven organizations that submitted a complaint earlier this month against Danone N.A./Horizon.  This is the first batch of signatures that will be submitted to B Lab. 

November's issue of OFA's digital magazine, Organic Voice, is here! Inside you'll find articles on Climate Markets, Organic Consolidation, and updated on the Fall NOSB magazine. Plus, Organic Farm Conferences, Organic Certifiers who support OFA, and farmer profiles.

Eleven organic farm and consumer organizations submit a complaint against Danone North America, owner of Horizon Organic, regarding a violation of the B Corp Declaration of Interdependence. We request that the B Lab conduct a full investigation on this matter.

Updates on organic certification cost share, NOSB meeting, USDA considering climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure progress, and northeast organic dairies.

Updates on the debate in Congress about infrastructure and climate policy, a new pandemic assistance program from USDA, and how organic advocates are working together to help organic dairy farmers in the Northeast deal with Horizon Organic’s decision to drop farmers in that region.

Danone (owner of Horizon Organic Milk) abruptly ended contracts with 89 Northeast organic dairy farm families. OFA, in partnership with other organic organizations, has launched a petition to demand that Danone/Horizon do the right thing and reinstate these farmers who are producing organic milk the right way. Treat family farmers with RESPECT!

Get the latest on organic certification cost share, changes in crop insurance and what’s happening in Congress as they work to pass an infrastructure bill as well as a social program spending package, and find out how USDA’s failure to strengthen the organic standards is hurting organic dairy farmers in the Northeast.

Find out what’s happening as Congress debates how to address climate change and agriculture, how the process of developing USDA’s 2022 budget for organic is shaping up, and what farmers can do if they are impacted by the bankruptcy of a major organic grain buyer in the Midwest.

On July 8th, Pipeline Foods filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. If you are an organic grain producer who sold grain to Pipeline Foods and HAVE NOT BEEN PAID, there are a couple of things you can do right now.

OFA Federal Comments to USDA on Origin of Livestock Rule.

Updates on USDA’s work on long-delayed regulations for organic livestock, what’s happening with organic certification cost share reimbursement, and the latest steps in Congress on climate change and agriculture.

Find out which long-delayed organic regulation is finally starting to move through USDA, who’s filling important roles at USDA and how you can be an advocate for organic this summer.

Since 2013, the organic community has been working to fix a loophole in the organic standards regarding the Origin of Livestock (OOL) for organic cow dairies. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) needs to finalize the Origin of Livestock rule, ensuring that all organic dairy farms are being held to the same standards.

If you are not in the dairy industry, you might wonder what the Origin of Livestock rule is about and why it is so important to organic dairy producers and the entire organic community.

Numerous important discussions of interest to organic crop producers occurred during the virtual 2021 spring National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting the last two weeks of April: Paper Pots, Bio-based biodegradable mulch, and Kasugamycin, etc.

Find out what’s happening on climate and agriculture policy, pandemic response, and new efforts to make the National Organic Program raise the integrity of the organic standards.

OFA testified to the National Organic Standards Board at their Spring Meeting. Read Patty Lovera, Policy Director & Kate Mendenhall, Executive Director testimonies.

Get updates on OFA’s virtual advocacy days, what’s happening in Congress and USDA, how to take action to restore funding for organic certification cost share, and how to watch the spring meeting of the National Organic Standards Board.

Get updates on the new Secretary of Agriculture, congressional hearings on climate change and agriculture, and new action on economic stimulus.

The new Congress and new Administration are starting to get down to work. Updates on new faces on key committees in Congress, how the organic community is pushing to close loopholes in the organic standards, the latest on the pandemic response and how big issues like climate change could impact organic this year.

January 28, 2021: Today, organic organizations with support from organic farmers delivered a letter to the acting Secretary of Agriculture asking for USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) to finalize the Origin of Livestock rule as soon as possible.

OFA & NOC send recommendations about the USDA’s implementation of the “Covid-19 Relief and Fiscal 2021 Omnibus Act.” Raising concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on organic farmers, farmworkers, businesses, certifiers, inspectors, and consumers. Organic concerns and recommendations may be unique from those raised by other sectors of agriculture.

Get the latest on how organic fared in the massive spending bill Congress passed at the end of the year, what we know about the new Congress, and other updates.

How can we get Congress to support organic farmers? Learn how to make your voice heard in the legislative process during this webinar about how to lobby your elected officials. Get ready for meetings with your members of Congress. We’ll cover how to schedule a meeting, what to say, and how to create ongoing communication with elected officials.

Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and Rodale Institute are proud to announce an exciting new chapter for farmers: OFA has obtained its own IRS 501(c)(5) status to operate as an independent agricultural organization. Read more about this significant milestone.

What does the recent election mean for protecting organic standards and growing organic? Join Organic Farmers Association Policy Director, Patty Lovera for a review of election results, how agriculture committees might shape up, and what to look for in the months ahead.

Join members of Organic Farmers Association as farmers across the country join together in a week of targeted advocacy in Washington, D.C.

Find out who will be in charge of key committees in next year’s Congress, what we want the new Administration to do abon their first day and who’s in the running for the top job at USDA.

OFA farm members recently elected new leadership. These volunteer leaders will begin March 2021.

OFA sent a letter to President-Elect Biden's Transition Team. OFA reminds the Transition Team that organic is a growing sector of the U.S. agriculture system, with tremendous potential to address climate change, help family farms flourish, revive rural communities and protect public health. But for organic agriculture to meet its potential, we need the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take several steps to protect the integrity of the USDA certified organic label.

Emily Oakley from Three Springs Farm in Oaks, Oklahoma is finishing her five-year term on the National Organic Standards Board this month.  She has been an OFA farm member since 2018.  We interviewed Emily this summer to find out more about how she became such an incredible farmer-leader and organic advocate.

Get the latest on what the election results mean for organic policy, what happened at the fall meeting of the National Organic Standards Board, and the status of the origin of organic livestock regulation. 

Patty Lovera, Policy Director and Kate Mendenhall, Director of Organic Farmers Association provided public oral testimony to the National Organic Standards Board on Oct 20 & 22, 2020. Read the public testimony...

Emily Oakley from Three Springs Farm in Oaks, Oklahoma is finishing her five-year term on the National Organic Standards Board this month.  She has been an OFA farm member since 2018.  We interviewed Emily this summer to find out more about how she became such an incredible farmer-leader and organic advocate.

Find out more about the second round of the USDA’s coronavirus payment program, the latest on organic certification cost share and how to tune in to the National Organic Standards Board meeting later this month.

Organic Farmers Association submitted written comments to the National Organic Program on the proposed Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule, October 5, 2020.

Organic Farmers Association submitted written comments to the National Organic Standards Board, October 2020.

The USDA has announced the second round of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2). Farms can apply for funding September 21 through December 11, 2020. Even if you were not eligible for the first round of CFAP, it may be worth checking again because the USDA has changed some of the eligibility requirements and the methods for calculating payments, which may work better for some organic farms.

Listen to OFA Director Kate Mendenhall's interview with Melinda Hemmelgarn on her radio show, Food Sleuth Radio. The show touches on organic certification, cost share, and the pandemic.

More stories on how Organic Farmers have adapted to the COVID-19 economy.

Get the latest on new announcements from USDA, including the Strengthening Organic Enforcement proposed rule and talking points for submitting comments, as well as updates on the latest round of Covid-19 response from Congress.

National Organic Coalition and Organic Farmers Association thank House Members for their bipartisan letter to USDA calling for restoration of Organic Certification Cost Share funding. On Tuesday, August 25, 39 Members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to urge the restoration of funding for the Organic Certification Cost Share program (OCCSP), and to extend all applicable program deadlines to ensure that farmers who are still dealing with COVID-19 impacts have ample time to access these funds.  The letter was led by Representatives Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Rodney Davis (R-IL), Anthony Brindisi (D-NY), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA).  All signers of the letter are members of either the House Committee on Agriculture or the House Organic Caucus.

On August 10th, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced a reduction in the reimbursement rates for the Organic Certification Cost Share Program. The cost share program reimburses organic farms and handling operations up to 50% certification expenses, to a maximum of $500 per certification scope down from 75%/$750.
The FSA is blaming lack of funding for this change, but that's not true. There are two things organic farmers can do right now...

We need OFA members to weigh in during the public comment period for the Strengthening Organic Enforcement proposed rule to make sure it gets finalized quickly and that the final rule is a strong as possible. Comment Deadline: October 5, 2020.

The organic market has enjoyed decades of growth. It is one of few labels that has a strong meaning and a system of federal oversight to provide a consistent definition. However, trust in the label has been shaken by recent high-profile, mass-volume fraudulent sales with malicious intent—a tragedy for the both the farmers and consumers. Organic sales are booming, but unfortunately it seems, so is fraud. USDA has just released the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to address these issues and try to curtail fraud.

Get the latest on new announcements from USDA, including the Strengthening Organic Enforcement proposed rule and talking points for submitting comments, as well as updates on the latest round of Covid-19 response from Congress.

Despite uncertainty at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in early 2020, many organic farms have been bright spots of the COVID-19 economy.

After months of normal procedures being stalled because of the disruption caused by COVID-19, some of the policy machinery started to come back to life this month. There’s a lot going on, with continued work to respond to the increasing pandemic, the fight to improve the organic standards, and a report from a special committee in Congress about climate change.

The Small Business Administration recently announced updates to their PPP & EIDL programs to assist small businesses with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, USDA National Organic Program missed a Congressional deadline for Origin of Livestock. Today, OFA and organic farm organizations across the nation sent a letter to Congress urging them to ensure that the USDA complies with the law and finalizes the Origin of Livestock rule as soon as possible. 

Together, national organic organizations ask Farm Service Agency (FSA) to immediately publish the notice of funds availability (NOFA) for the two organic certification cost share programs for fiscal year 2020, one of agency’s core assistance programs for organic operations.

Updates on the Pandemic Response and Take Action for Origin of Livestock (Congressional deadline for final rule: June 17).

Remind Congress that USDA is perilously close to missing a deadline set by Congress for finishing a long-overdue rule to increase the standards for how livestock are transitioned into organic (the “Origin of Livestock” (OOL) rule.)

USDA announced details on how it will distribute $16 billion in direct payments to farms impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health response. The details for the payments are available in this post and on USDA’s website for Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.

We need to remind Congress they need to make sure USDA meets the deadlines Congress set for them to protect organic integrity.
The USDA is past its deadline for a new proposed rule to prevent fraud in organic supply chains (the “Strengthening Organic Enforcement" rule required by the 2018 Farm Bill) and the deadline for finishing up the "Origin of Livestock" rule (about transitioning livestock into organic) is coming up fast.

The big news in DC, just like everywhere, continues to be the coronavirus pandemic, the impact on the food supply chain and how the government should respond. But there are other things happening in the world of organic policy, including the National Organic Standards Board spring meeting and continuing to push the USDA National Organic Program to finish rules we need to maintain the integrity of the organic label.

Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and National Organic Coalition (NOC) write to USDA Secretary of Agriculture with recommendations on the next coronavirus pandemic response package to address the impact on the organic food and agriculture sector.

More money for the Paycheck Protection Program is a SBA stimulus package available to farmers on Monday, April 27. Farms now eligible for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Demand is expected to be high. Contact your bank ASAP.

Thank you, members of the NOSB for the opportunity to speak before you today.  My name is Kate Mendenhall, I am the director of the Organic Farmers Association and am also an Iowa organic farmer.  OFA was created to be a strong voice and advocate for certified organic farmers.  We are led and controlled by domestic certified organic farmers and only certified organic farmers determine our policies. 

The response to the Covid-19 pandemic is essentially the only topic being discussed by elected officials and policymakers in Washington, DC. The response has a lot of moving parts, some more clear than others at this point.

Dear National Organic Standards Board Members,
The Organic Farmers Association is led and controlled by domestic certified organic farmers and only certified organic farmers determine our policies using a grassroots process. We believe organic farmers were instrumental in creating our successful organic market and must be leaders in directing its future.

Dear Secretary Perdue:
We are writing to make recommendations about emergency actions that your agency can take to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the organic sector. We offer our recommendations with full understanding that all sectors of agriculture are now in crisis and that we must all work together to address these challenges.

The NOSB was scheduled to meet in Arlington, VA (just outside Washington DC) in late April.  Due to the coronavirus, plans for the meeting have changed and the meeting will no longer be held in person, instead it will be held online. But there are still ways for you to participate.

In the last week, how the government should respond to the coronavirus pandemic has consumed Washington, DC. We need your help by contacting your representatives to tell them what farmers need in response to this pandemic.

On March 10, 2020, the Organic Farmers Association held our third annual Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. Policy Director, Patty Lovera recaps our efforts to bring the organic farmer's voice to DC.

Spring has sprung! This means OFA's Advocacy day is here. Organic farmers and advocates from a dozen states will be telling their members of Congress what we need from the National Organic Program and other USDA programs, and that they need enough money (and oversight from Congress) to do it.

Patty Lovera, Policy Director, gives a quick status report as we start the year.

Organic Farmers Association sent a letter to Organic Eye expressing concern with the tone and strategy of a recent letter to the organic community about the new National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) appointments.

In 2020, Organic Farmers Association hired Patty Lovera as its new Policy Director.

Senator Elizabeth Warren and Mayor Pete Buttigieg submitted written responses to Organic Farmers Association addressing ag policy, soil, and organic fraud.

House Democrats are driving the climate change agenda in the 116th Congress. Major Leader Pelosi
created the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis to make recommendation to Congress on polices
and innovations to achieve substantial and permanent carbon reduction.

Thank you for voting for your regional representatives to the Governing Council & Policy Committee 
Congrats to the newly elected members! Members will serve 2-year terms which will begin at our annual meeting this spring. 

Tune in to Organic Farmers Association hosting a Presidential Forum on the topic of Combating Climate Change with Organic and Regenerative Agriculture. Senator Sanders is fielding questions from Iowa organic farmers.

Organic Farmers Association (OFA) is responding to the Select Committee on Climate Crisis’ request seeking additional, detailed input from stakeholders in the agriculture sector on reducing carbon pollution, maximizing carbon storage, and suggestions on agriculture policies to adapt to the impacts of climate change.

The undersigned organizations are unified in our support for the proposed Origin of Livestock Rule. Rulemaking is critical to bring consistent enforcement, maintain a level playing field to all organic dairy producers, and uphold strong organic integrity for all organic farmers. We urge you to quickly review submitted comments and move towards immediate implementation of the Rule.

The Organic Farmers Association is writing to provide comments on docket number AMS-NOP-11-0009/ Regulatory Information Number (RIN) 0581-AD08. The Organic Farmers Association is providing comment now as the organization was created after the 2015 Origins of Livestock Rule comment period ended.

Read more on our November policy update here

Read the USDA's response to our Sign-on letter to Secretary Perdue concerning the comment of Under Secretary Greg Ibach

Read more on Organic Farmers Associations focus on organic agriculture in our oral comment to the NOSB fall meeting in Pittsburgh 2019

Organic Farmers Association is asking all certified organic farmers to stand with U.S. certified organic dairy farmers and submit comments to the USDA in support of a strong final Origin of Livestock Rule (OOL). Not only is this important to dairy farmers—it is important to all organic farmers that rely on a strong organic label that maintains consumer trust. 

On October 1, USDA re-opened the comment period on the FY15 Origins of Organic Livestock (OOL) Rule for 60 days—closing on December 2, 2019.

Organic consumers drive the market, and organic farmers  are committed to growing food that upholds the values important to you.  We’re in this together to defend organic integrity.

On behalf of the Organic Farmers Association we submitted this letter to CalCannabis Comparable Organic Working Group because we are concerned of  the consideration of hydroponically produced Cannabis.

Healthy soil is one of the main reasons why organic is the gold standard for food you can trust—it focuses on building health from the ground up

This week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, released its FY20 funding proposal for USDA.  We were told the proposal includes the Organic Farmers Association’s number one priority of bill language implementing the FY15 “Origin of Organic Livestock (OOL)” rule that closes loopholes in the transition of dairy herds.

On Tuesday, Organic Farmers Association (OFA) delivered a letter of opposition to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, in response to a statement made by Department Under Secretary Greg Ibach concerning opening a dialogue about gene-editing in organic agriculture. 

The Organic Farmers Association serving the broad organic farming community are united in our concern by the recent comment by Under Secretary Greg Ibach on July 17, 2019, where he said " I think there is the opportunity to open the discussion to consider whether it is appropriate for some of these new technologies that include gene-editing to be eligible to be used to enhance organic production and to have drought and disease-resistant varieties, as well as higher-yield varieties available.”

Agriculture can be part of the solution to climate change with the help of organic consumers like you. Given all of the inputs that go into modern agriculture, it’s unsurprising to learn that agriculture makes a significant contribution to climate change

The most common reason that people give for not buying organic food is its price. But there’s a reason why organic food costs more than conventional—and it’s worth your money.

Legalizing the production of industrial hemp in the 2018 Farm Bill has caused much confusion, and stakeholders are working to understand and identify solutions to aid the growth of this new market. The Organic Farmers Association is following the progress of this matter to help our members navigate these emerging organic markets.

We sat down with OFA leader Dave Runsten to discuss the labor challenges for organic farmers and the changes that OFA is advocating for.

Trump Administration’s Department of Agriculture completed its first hearing before the Democratically controlled, House Agriculture Committee’s Biotechnology, Horticulture and Research Subcommittee “Assessing the Effectiveness of the National Organic Program” last week.

Organic Farmers Association thanks the NOP for their letter on organic crop container systems. OFA is calling for stronger overall enforcement of the NOP standards.

The House of Representatives started work on funding the federal government for Fiscal Year 2020. What does this mean for organic farmers?

Organic Farmers Association announces 2019 Policy Priorities. Policy platform includes Origin of Livestock Rule, Green New Deal, farmer representation on NOSB, and immigration reform

The House Committee on Appropriations Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies Subcommittee included language in their FY20 bill last week instructing USDA to implement the 2015 Origin of Livestock Rule. The Organic Farmers Association is asking for your help to encourage the Senate to close loopholes that exist by including the same language in their bill.  

Organic Farmers Association participated at the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) met April 24-26. Here is an overview of how the meeting works and what was discussed.

Action Alert: We need better protection of U.S. organic farmers at our borders. Fraudulent organic imports need to be stopped. We implore you to encourage USDA NOP and CBP to establish these three protocols for immediate implementation at U.S. borders for all organic imports until increased measures are implemented.

Organic Farmers Association wants to teach you the best steps to build a relationship with elected officials. It allows you the opportunity to teach them about your organic business, organic integrity and discuss the work of Organic Farmers Association.

Organic Farmers Association's Director, Kate Mendenhall, provides oral comment at the 2019 Spring NOSB meeting in Seattle Washington.

Harriet Behar, chair of the NOSB and member of both OFA Governing Council and Policy Committee starts off the Spring NOSB meeting in Seattle, WA with impressive opening remarks calling for action and organic integrity to defend organic on behalf of organic farmers.

Organic Farmers Association's Director, Kate Mendenhall, participated in the Pre-NOSB Meeting in Seattle, Washington to discuss 2019 organic integrity priorities including Organic Import Integrity, Organic Dairy Integrity and Organic Production Integrity.

Our members told National Organic Program (NOP) staff during its March Fly-In that organic dairy farms need the loopholes fixed immediately to provide consistent enforcement and fair competition. Sixty-two organizations joined us asking that USDA prioritize implementation of an Origin of Livestock Final Rule in 2019.

Organic Farmers Association is concerned that the current Origin of Livestock standards are creating unfair and inconsistent interpretations of the standards and inconsistent implementation by certifiers across the country. We respectfully ask that USDA prioritizes implementation of an Origin of Livestock Final Rule in 2019.

Throughout the month of April, and in celebration of Earth Day on April 22, Natural Grocers is inviting the community to pledge to protect one of nature’s most beloved beneficial insects—the ladybug. From April 1st through the 22nd, Natural Grocers will donate 10 cents to Beyond Pesticides for every pledge taken on their website, up to $25,000.

The Administration proposed one of the largest-ever cuts to domestic spending in a $4.7 trillion fiscal year 2020 budget proposal. The budget proposal cuts a number of programs we care about.   We will need to work with our Congressional champions to restore funding for the Organic Produce and Market Data Initiative and the much needed technology update for NOP.

House and Senate conferees passed and the President has said he will sign, H.J. Res. 31, the 2019 omnibus spending package that includes funding for the FY 2019 Agriculture programs. The appropriations bills had been delayed by the disagreements over wall funding and the government shutdown.

Results are in for the newly-elected 2019 Governing Council and Policy Committee.  Members will serve 2-year terms, up to 3 consecutive terms (no more than 6 consecutive years). Newly elected members begin their terms at the annual meeting on March 13, 2019.

Organic Farmers Association applauds Farm Bill conferees for completing work on the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which includes organic programs important to our members.

Organic Farmers Association sent a letter to the Organic Trade Association in response to their announcement on the voluntary checkoff.

Organic Farmers Association submits letter to Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture, to express concerns that the current Origin of Livestock standards are creating unfair and inconsistent interpretations of the standards and inconsistent implementation by certifiers across the country.

Policy Director, Mark Rokala, provides an update on the state of D.C. after the recent election. Voters gave the Democratic Party keys to the House of Representatives on election night. On the other side of the Capitol, Senate Republicans grew their majority.

The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is an advisory board to the USDA National Organic Program (NOP). The NOSB is a multi-stakeholder volunteer board that advises the USDA NOP.  A few weeks ago the NOSB discussed a possible pilot project to measure organic seed purity (GMO contamination). The goal of the proposal is to aid farmers in their choices of seed and provide farmers with more information about levels of GMO contamination in field corn seed.

In September, Organic Harvest Month, Natural Grocers customers raised $94,500 for the Organic Farmers Association.

Farm bill negotiators say they will complete farm bill conference committee work after the November 6th election, hoping they can vote on the final agreement the following week. Until a new farm bill is negotiated, many organic programs are left without funding.

Organic Farmers Association's Policy Director, Mark Rokola, provides an update on the 2018 Farm Bill with merely two weeks before the current bill expires.

Action Alert: Congress is in the final stretch of completing the 2018 Farm Bill but they may not get the job done!  Your legislators need to hear from YOU on organic programs. Call your legislator & ask them to help finish this farm bill!   YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

This is a critical time in the final steps of reauthorizing programs important to you, our members, and the whole organic community.  We need you to reach out to your elected officials to remind, and to explain, the importance of our policy priorities. 

Organic Farmers Association Farm Members voted on the annual policy platform. All proposed policy positions received enough votes to pass. All positions gained at least 75% support in every region, and every position received more than 85% of the national vote.

Each year, Organic Farmers Association solicits input on policy priorities and policy positions from ALL U.S. CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARMERS and organic farm organizations, which we did in December 2017.

The Senate Agriculture Committee released a bipartisan farm bill that includes most of the OFA organic priorities. We will have an analysis of the bill for our members next week.

Organic Farmers Association applauds the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s action to terminate the rulemaking process to establish a mandatory national research and promotion program for organic (Organic Checkoff).

Organic Farmers Association urges you to contact your legislators to protect NOSB in Senate Farm Bill. We need your help! YOUR VOICE MATTERS!

Organic Farmers Association announces 2018 Farm Bill Priorities. Priorities include supporting organic integrity, expanding organic research, and renewing organic cost-share programs.

Thirty members of the Organic Farmers Association leadership met in Washington D.C. recently to plan for the upcoming year and to participate in a Lobby Day advocating for the policy priorities of U.S. certified organic farmers on Capitol Hill.

Organic Farmers Association releases analysis on current stage of the 2018 Farm Bill.

Chairman Conaway Introduces the Agriculture and Nutrition Act: On April 12, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018.

Organic Farmers Association's newly elected leadership body will meet in D.C. in April for Annual Meeting & Lobby Day.

Organic Farmers Association wrote letter to Secretary Perdue regarding the National Organic Program’s stance on hydroponics in organic agriculture.

Organic Farmers Association raise concern with US Department of Agriculture's organic certification of hydroponic, aquaponic and aeroponic operations.

Despite our support, the USDA killed the Organic Welfare Rule. We need you to tell the USDA you want them to implement the rule immediately!

Organic Farmers Association advocates for organic research, “seeds & breeds” and healthy soil.

The Organic Farmers Association calls on USDA to implement the Organic Livestock and Poultry Practices Rule without delay.

Organic Farmers Association announces 2017-2018 Policy Priorities; includes hydroponics, animal welfare, organic checkoff and farm bill.

Organic Farmers Association announces Policy Director and Policy Committee. Leadership will facilitate policy platform created by organic farmer members.

Organic Farmers Association presented testimonies at Farm Bill Listening Session. Testimonies include need for investing in organic for the 2018 Farm Bill.

Kate's nationwide experience and dedication to organic farmers makes leading the OFA logical. She's ready to advocate for what farmers need and want.