Organic Farmers Association Announces Governing Council

Organic Farmers Association, a national membership organization for certified organic farmers, sponsored by Rodale Institute, has announced the first elected Governing Council. The elected Governing Council is made up of 12 voting certified organic farmer members and six advisory organizational members. Each member will serve a term of two years. Committee members are regionally diverse and reflect the national diversity of organic farms.

“It’s exciting to have our first fully elected leadership body,” said Kate Mendenhall, Director, Organic Farmers Association. “And it’s not a moment too soon. We have an ambitious schedule for 2018. Three of our priority areas include strengthening the integrity of the organic seal, protecting organic certification cost share, and funding organic research.”

The new Governing Council will assume leadership from the current Steering Committee at an April Annual Meeting and Lobby Day in Washington, D.C.

The Governing Council will assure the health and effectiveness of the organization. From its start in the fall of 2016, Organic Farmers Association has been working to build and support a farmer-led national organic farmer movement with a strong voice advocating for organic farmers. This first Governing Council will help guide this work forward from the ground up.

Organic Farmers Association 2018 Governing Council includes:

CALIFORNIA
Farmer Representatives:
Judith Redmond, Full Belly Farm, Guinda, CA
Steve Beck, Kings River Produce, Inc., Hanford, CA

Organization Representative:
California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF): Phil LaRocca, Chair, NV

MIDWEST REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Dave Bishop, PrairiErth Farm, Atlanta, IL
Joannee DeBruhl, Stone Coop Farm, Brighton, MI

Organization Representative:
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA): Renee Hunt, Program Director, Columbus, OH

NORTH CENTRAL REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Jim Riddle, Blue Fruit Farm, Winona, MN
Harriet Behar, Sweet Springs Farm, Gays Mills, WI

Organization Representative:
Organic Farmers Agency for Relationship Marketing (OFARM): John Bobbe, Executive Director, Scandinavia, WI

WESTERN REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Nathaniel Powell-Palm, Cold Springs Organics, Bozeman, MT
Jessica Gigot, Harmony Fields, Bow, WA

Organization Representative:
Montana Organic Association (MOA): Becky Weed, Board of Directors, MT

SOUTHERN REGION
Farmer Representatives:
Jennifer Taylor, Lola’s Organic Farm, Gleenwood, GA
Loretta Adderson, Adderson’s Fresh Produce, Hephzibah, GA

Organization Representative:
Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI-USA): Michael Sligh, Program Director, Pittsboro, NC

NORTHEAST REGION
Farmer Representatives:
David Colson, New Leaf Farm, Durham, ME
Maryrose Livingston, Northland Sheep Dairy, NY

Organization Representative:
Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT): Maddie Monty Kempner, Membership & Advocacy Coordinator, Richmond, VT

SPONSOR SEAT
Rodale Institute