Organic Farmer Workgroups
Connection. Knowledge Sharing. Trust Building.
What is a Farmer Workgroup?
Workgroups are a way for us to work together to identify problems, brainstorm solutions, and amplify the voices of OFA farmer members. Our workgroups are farmer-directed and discuss challenges farmers face and identify farmer-led solutions, and together we will take solutions directly to our changemakers.
Workgroups require regular attendance and work from the members outside the regular meetings. Depending on the pace of the issue at hand, meetings may become more or less frequent as needed.
Workgroups meet via Zoom on a monthly basis and are facilitated spaces. Participation is open to all farmers who are organic curious, in transition, or already certified. OFA membership is not required to participate.
Available Farmer Workgroups
Crop Insurance
Make crop insurance work better for organic and transitioning farmers during this monthly one-hour session by working to ensure crop insurance is fair and functional.
Diversified Producer
This group meets monthly for one hour to address concerns raised by small scale, diversified growers and graziers. This is a great group for beginning farmers to connect with and learn from more experienced diversified producers and access support.
Grain Grower
This workgroup meets monthly to address ongoing organic farmer concerns of grain farmers, such as fraudulent organic imports, and generate strategies and solutions.
Public Procurement
Join OFA Organization Members and farmers working together to get more organic food in institutions like schools and hospitals. This workgroup will meet monthly for one hour.
Dairy Producer
Join organic dairy producers to share information on organic dairy production, policy, and markets. This group meets quarterly for one hour.
Mixed Vegetable Grower
This workgroup meets monthly for one hour to address concerns raised by mid-scale mixed vegetable farmers accessing wholesale markets such as market consolidation. Farmers work together to generate strategies and solutions.
National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
A short-term, targeted workgroup that will meet ahead of the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) meeting to form comments for the board and prepare members to also to share comments. (This workgroup meets seasonally- in preparation for spring and fall NOSB meetings)
Join a Workgroup
Complete this Interest Form to learn more about Farmer Workgroups and how to get involved.
OFA may organize additional workgroups to respond to issues as they arise and require collective work towards solutions, so please include other workgroup topics we should consider for the future.
Workgroup Wins
Connection. Knowledge Sharing. Trust building. These groups build trust, knowledge, and effective advocates. Farmer Workgroups make a difference. Two members of the OFA Grain Workgroup joined another Governing Council member in D.C. this fall to raise concerns specific to the organic grain community. The group focused on policies to build fairness in organic imports, buyer bankruptcy situations, and investment in organic market and infrastructure development. OFA farmers arrive in D.C. as advocates ready to speak on behalf of our group.
Join a workgroup today to build your skills, knowledge, and network as an organic advocate. Farmer voices must be at the center of the conversation when it comes to organic policies, and we’re excited to do more of this work with you!