Organic Mushroom and Pet Food Final Rule

On December 23, 2024, the final rule for organic mushroom and organic pet food production was printed in the Federal Register.  This rule will be fully implemented on February 22, 2027.

The rule requires that all mushroom spawn and mushroom substrate that has not been composted be organic, unless a functionally equivalent organic material is not commercially available. This includes any agricultural substrate materials that are pasteurized or sterilized. There are specific requirements for documenting the function of the non-organic material used, and proof that other organic materials do not provide that same function. The definition of compost used in mushroom production specifies that it comes from plant and animal materials and must be maintained at 131 degrees F for three days. There are no turning requirements. This compost aspect could be revisited based upon the NOSB and their possible recommendations for changes to the compost definition and the types of feedstocks can be included (such as biodegradable plastics). Wood products cannot have been treated with prohibited substances after they were harvested.

This rule did not provide for fungi to have its own scope, and determined that even though mushrooms are a different kingdom than plants, mushrooms could still be certified organic under the crop scope and do not need to meet all crop production requirements.

Pets are now clearly defined, and the making of organic pet food must meet all current food processing requirements in the rule. Taurine was added to the National List as an approved ingredient in pet food.


Powering Change: OFA Launches Match Campaign with Bluestone Life

At the Organic Farmers Association (OFA), we believe in the power of people to create lasting change, and this week we’re thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity to amplify that power. Thanks to the generosity of our matching sponsor, Bluestone Life, every dollar you donate on Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024) up to $5,000 will have twice the impact on building a stronger, healthier organic farming system.

Meet Bluestone: Life Insurance for Family, Community, and Planet

Bluestone Life isn’t just a sponsor, their business is built to support high-impact nonprofits like OFA. Bluestone and OFA are energized by the opportunity to align daily decisions, from the food we eat to our financial decisions, to strengthen our communities and safeguard our planet. Bluestone exemplifies the belief that our daily decisions create ripple effects of positive change.

A Shared Vision

The heart of OFA lies in its members—farmers, supporters, and organizations—whose voices drive policy changes that improve the health of our environment, communities, and food system. Together, we’re working toward a future where organic farmers are empowered and supported, and organic policies are prioritized in the Farm Bill for the benefit of all. 

OFA and Bluestone share a belief in the transformative power of grassroots efforts. Whether it’s farmers advocating in Washington D.C., consumers making conscious decisions, or donors supporting organizations with shared goals, each action is a building block for a stronger, more resilient world.

How Can You Support This Movement

On December 3, 2024—Giving Tuesday—Bluestone will match every dollar donated up to $5,000. That means a $50 gift becomes $100 or a $250 contribution becomes $500. This is an easy way for you to help OFA reach our $5,000 goal for Giving Tuesday. 

Your donation fuels OFA’s work to support farmers, shape policy, and grow the organic farming movement for a healthier future. With a new administration we expect work on the Farm Bill to happen right away in 2025. Help us reach our $5,000 goal and jumpstart our 2025 policy priorities to make sure organic is included and prioritized! 

Support OFA Now!

What We Can Achieve Together

By doubling your support on Giving Tuesday, OFA will be able to:

  • Bring farmers to Washington, D.C. for critical advocacy through our annual Fly-In
  • Push forward Farm Bill marker bills that prioritize organic farming 
  • Provide resources and support to farmers nationwide to strengthen their voices and their farms

By donating to OFA, you’re standing up for a healthier environment, stronger communities, and a robust organic farming system. Your contribution powers the work that bolsters farmers and shapes the policies that will grow our movement in 2025 and beyond.

This is your chance to make a difference. Every dollar you give on Giving Tuesday will be matched up to $5,000 by Bluestone Life, doubling your power to fuel our mission. 

Donate to support OFA’s work in 2025 and be that one ripple that creates change for a stronger, farmer-driven organic food system.  

Together, we’ll make a lasting impact. Thank you for your support! 

Double Your Support

 

Would you prefer to mail in your donation? Please make a check payable to Organic Farmers Association and mail to PO Box 709 Spirit Lake, IA 51360. Questions? Reach out at 202-643-5363  or info@OrganicFarmersAssociation.org. 


OFA Welcomes Newly Elected Leadership

OFA Announces Newly Elected Governing Council and
Policy Committee Leadership for 2025

Organic Farmers Association, a national membership organization working to build a strong voice for certified organic farmers in order to grow a healthier planet, has announced the election of its next Governing Council and Policy Committee members. This is the fifth term of leadership elected since OFA’s creation for and by organic farmers to represent their policy priorities in Washington D.C.

OFA puts farmers in the driver seat to advocate and educate for more domestic organic farms, strong organic standards, and technical assistance and education to support a national growth of organic farming. For the 2025 leadership term, 18 Governing Council and Policy Committee Members were elected or reelected to serve organic farmers.

Governing Council
The Governing Council serves as the governing body of Organic Farmers Association and oversees the health and effectiveness of the organization, ensuring it remains a strong, farmer-led voice for the organic movement.

Policy Committee
The Policy Committee ensures that the diverse voices of organic farmers are represented in critical policy decisions by working with OFA members to set the policy agenda for OFA.

Each OFA region is represented by two certified organic farmers and one regional organic farm organization, making up OFA’s 24 voting certified organic farmer members and 12 advisory organizational members across both leadership bodies. Members are elected by OFA farm-members and serve 2-year terms, up to three consecutive terms.

Leadership members are regionally diverse and reflect the national diversity of organic farms. Only our certified organic farm members on the Policy Committee and Governing Council have voting rights, while the organization representatives serve an important advisory role.

The new leadership will officially take their positions during OFA’s Annual Meeting and Farmer Fly-In in Washington, D.C., in March 2025 where OFA members gather to advocate for policy changes that will benefit organic farms and farmers across the U.S.

“I’m always so impressed with the expertise and diversity of experiences that our leadership brings to OFA. This year we have five new organic farmers joining our leadership and one new organic organization. I’m grateful to our high-quality returning leadership willing to serve another term as well. OFA’s strong leadership is incredibly important this year as we aim to keep organic agriculture a strong priority for the incoming administration.”

Kate Mendenhall, OFA’s Executive Director

Since its establishment, Organic Farmers Association has worked to build a robust national coalition of certified organic farmers.

“Ten years ago, OFA leadership built the infrastructure of a new organization that reflected the mission to represent and advocate for organic certified farmers. OFA’s leadership team took the organization forward into a powerful promoter of organic farmers by practicing good governance and being an effective advocate and leader in representing farmers’ interests. I am proud to have served as a leader for this organization and look forward to supporting the next generation of farmers who will lead the organic movement into the future.”

Ed Maltby, Executive Director Northeast Organic Dairy Producers
Alliance (NODPA) and OFA Founding Member and Governing Council Member

To learn more about OFA’s leadership roles and responsibilities, please visit our leadership page.

Please join OFA in welcoming and congratulating OFA’s newest leaders!

The complete 2025 leadership roster is below and newly elected members are denoted in green.

CALIFORNIA

I have been farming greenhouse microgreens year-round for over 35 years and have always farmed organically (certified since 1982), and have only ever used organic seed (90k lbs. per year). My wife and I run the farm with 10 full-time employees and five part-time employees. I have served on the Board of Directors for the following organizations: Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) (10+ years), Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Board (6 years), Agriculture Policy Advisory Commission (10 years), Monterey Bay Certified Farmers Markets, Action Pajaro Valley (farmland preservation task force), Santa Cruz County GMO Commission (we banned GMO’s), and served on the Board of Directors for CCOF for many years.

I am completing my first term as a member of the Policy Committee and was honored to be part of OFA’s annual Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill in March. I have previously represented Sonoma County on the California Farm Bureau’s Marketing, Organics, and Produce Food Safety Issue Advisory Committee. Little Paradise Farm is located on a 33-acre site, with about two acres under cultivation. The farm supplies fruits and vegetables to local restaurants and regularly contributes fresh produce to community food banks. The farm has been CCOF certified since 2013 and Real Organic Project certified since 2021. The farm is proud to have received a Snail of Approval award from Slow Food USA.

MIDWEST (Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania)

My work as a farmer started out in Niger, West Africa where I was stationed as a Peace Corps volunteer. This experience helped inform my love for growing food and community through systems and practices that ensure nutritious clean food for the present and future. My long standing work as a Pennsylvania organic farmer and collaborations with regional organizations like PASA Sustainable Agriculture and the Rodale Institute inspire me to seek out ways to support the organic movement on the national level. I believe that my experience as a farmer, educator, and community organizer provide me with skills that will aid OFA’s efforts to further promote and advance the organization’s efforts. The Dickinson College Farm is an 84-acre educational production farm. Each year, the farm raises 10 acres of certified organic produce that is destined for the Dickinson College dining hall, 150 member Campus Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, on-campus farm eatery & retail store, and for sale at our local producer-only farmers’ market. Dickinson students and graduates actively engage in the work of the College Farm as student farmers and apprentices. They assist with all aspects of operating a diversified vegetable production farm, as well as helping with managing our AWA and Certified Grass-Fed livestock operation, field research, and educational outreach programming. As the Director of the College Farm, I supervise the farm’s full-time staff members and help hire, mentor, and supervise seasonal and student staff. In addition to assisting with the day-to-day operations of the College Farm, I serve as the lead liaison with Dickinson academic departments and provide support for curricular development, faculty and student research interests, class visits, and guest lecture requests. Off the farm, I work collaboratively with community partners on regional food systems & sustainable ag initiatives. As a contributing lecturer to the Food Studies Certificate program at Dickinson, I teach introductory, senior seminar and regional food system-focused courses that support student interests and participation in this academic program. I have 24 years of farming experience, focused primarily in certified organic vegetables and grass-based meat production.

I graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics and a Crop Science minor. Recently, I completed The Executive Program for Ag Producers (TEPAP) at Texas A&M University. I have been involved with OFA and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association (OEFFA), helping with policy work at the federal, state, and local levels relating to strengthening our organic and sustainable ag policies and programs, including the formation of the Ohio Soil Health Initiative. I have also worked to make crop insurance simpler and more accessible to organic farmers and continue to work to strengthen the enforcement of fraudulent imported organic grain. Through all this involvement, I have hosted politicians, media, and other visitors on our farm to see our sustainable organic ag practices first-hand. I have also participated in numerous lobbying opportunities with politicians at all levels of government organized by OEFFA, OFA, and the National Organic Coalition (NOC). Through this experience and my work with organic and sustainable ag practices first-hand on our farm, I feel I bring a wealth of expertise to OFA and represent all types and sizes of organic farmers.

He has more than a decade of experience working at the grassroots level of the organic and local food movement. He has served as a primary organizer for the last 12 OEFFA conferences and has worked with farmers of all different styles and scales throughout Ohio on educational programs, fundraising events, and advocacy. Throughout his time with the organization, Milo has been a key voice in OEFFA’s strategy for serving farmers and food system advocates across the state. Prior to coming to OEFFA, Milo worked for the natural grocery delivery service Green BEAN Delivery where he did everything from deliver groceries to lead its Central Ohio marketing efforts. Milo currently resides in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Arts Management from the University of Oregon. Formed in 1979, the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association (OEFFA) cultivates a future in which sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food nourishes our communities, and agricultural practices protect and enhance our environment. OEFFA runs both an organic certification program which includes an organic transition program and an extensive farmer-education program.

NORTH CENTRAL (Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin)

Matthew grew up on his family’s organic grain farm, Fitzgerald Farms in Central MN, and has been a partner in the farm over the last several years. His family has been farming organically since 1994, and raise wheat, alfalfa, corn, soybeans, edible beans and are always looking to improve and diversify the operation. Matthew has helped diversify crop rotations and implement new technology into the operations. The farm was featured in a video by Mad Agriculture where you can learn more about Matthew and see the farm. He is also a certified organic inspector with the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA). Matthew is excited about the future of farming and working to support the next generation. Matthew also runs a farmer consulting business with his father, where they advise and train on: planning, storage, seed selection, equipment, pest and weed management, best practices, risk management, technology, USDA organic certification and marketing. Matthew has also testified to the state legislature on behalf of MN farmers and worked with the National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) to help pass a Beginning Farmer Tax Credit in Minnesota in 2017. He currently serves on MN Senator Tina Smith’s Emerging Farmer Advisory Board.

I have been the Executive Director at Marbleseed since September 2020. Since joining Marbleseed, I led the organization through a rebrand and strategic planning process that centers ecosystem services for the regenerative and organic farm community. My background includes work related to community and environmental health, social justice, and food access. From 2014 to 2020, I left public sector work and brought all those things into focus opening a community-supported farm-to-table restaurant in New Glarus, WI. I live on a small farm near Monticello, WI, where my partner and I grow vegetables and raise chickens and goats.Formerly known as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Marbleseed was established in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward sustainable, organic farming systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.  We work in community with human-scale farmers to support peer-to-peer learning with free and farmer-led programs, print and digital resources, and in-person events that support thriving regenerative and organic farms and food systems. Marbleseed is widely known for hosting the Marbleseed Organic Farming Conference. Established in 1989, it’s the largest organic farming conference in the United States. As the organic food and farming landscape continues to evolve and grow, Marbleseed remains committed to the roots of the organic farming movement: care for the planet, nourishment for communities, and support for regenerative and organic farmers who are working in relationship with the ecosystems that sustain us. 

I started transitioning into organic production in 2017. Not having a clue what I was doing, I started searching on social media to find other organic farmers who would be willing to share their successes and failures in organic practices. It was difficult to find a group of organic farmers or an organic Facebook page that was more than just vegetable farmers in third world countries. I decided to start a page, Modern Organic Row Crop Producers. This started out with me and three guys I knew, and has now grown to nearly 2000 members. This has built an amazing platform to serve as a sounding board for ideas and innovations in modern organic production. The recent issue of clawback in regard to the Global Processing bankruptcy is one example of where the site proved to be effective to bring together a large group of farmers affected by this issue. Together we have built a network of people, organizations and legal counsel to take this on as a group instead of just on our own. As one man stated: “This is how armies are made” Through this process I realized that with my background of serving 22 years with Iowa Farm Bureau at the grassroots level, we have the connections and ability to have our voices heard to make a difference. These laws need to be changed, and we need advocacy for our industry.We run a diversified row crop and small grains operation consisting of 700 acres conventional and 700 acres organic. I have been active in production agriculture since I graduated from Iowa State University in 2002. I took over the entire farming operation in 2017 and began transitioning to organic row crop at that time. We have multiple hog confinement sites that allow us access to hog manure, which we apply with our umbilical system. We also do drainage tiling on our own ground as well as some custom tiling, custom harvesting, trucking and manure application. We have implemented several different practices into our operation including strip till, no till, cover crops, inter cropping as well as conventional tillage. Organic farming has been an exciting and rewarding experience and I take great pride in my operation and my crew. I give much credit to my success to the network of friends and mentors that I have met through the Modern Row Crop Organic Producers Facebook Page I started in 2020. This has become a sounding board for ideas, practices and processes that many farmers have come to rely on for information in an industry that simply “has no written playbook” This has been an incredible journey and I look forward to many more years of my farming career and networking with other farmers across the nation and the world.

WESTERN (Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas)

Steve has farmed using organic methods since 1994. He has been active in numerous on-farm organic research projects ranging from organic fertility, organic weed control, insect and disease management and fruit thinning as well as being instrumental in organizing the first two National Organic Tree Fruit Research Symposiums. Steve has served on and chaired the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and the Organic Farming Research Foundation Board. In addition to being an orchardist he works part-time for the National Organic Coalition as their NOSB Specialist and is responsible for drafting comments twice yearly for NOSB meetings. He is knowledgeable of the Farm Bill and rule making processes and is committed to ensuring the integrity of the organic label. Above all, he holds a belief that farming should improve the environment, be climate smart, and utilize an ecosystem approach that maximizes human health and quality food .Ela Family Farms is a 100 acre certified organic, fourth generation tree fruit farm located in western Colorado. We became 100% certified in 2004 and began certification in 1994. Steve is the grower/owner and has farmed full time since 1990. We produce peaches, pears, apples, plums, sweet cherries, heirloom tomatoes and rhubarb. In addition we have an on-farm commercial kitchen where we process our excess fruit into organic jams, fruit butters, apple sauces, dehydrated and freeze dried artisanal products. We find uses for all our fruit and are a zero food waste farm. We market our fruit through seven farmers markets, CSA’s, and select wholesale accounts.

Ben Bowell currently serves as the Organizational representative for the Western Region on the Governing Council and would like to run for another term. He is the Education and Advocacy Director at Oregon Tilth where he has worked for over 11 years. Ben oversees all educational programs and partnerships which are focused on conservation, transition to organic, and farm viability. Prior to this role, he led Oregon Tilth’s national partnership with USDA NRCS. Before joining Oregon Tilth, Ben worked for American Farmland Trust advocating for the protection and sustainability of working lands. He has a B.A. from Wake Forest University and a M.S. from Tufts University’s Agriculture, Food, and Environment Program. Ben lives in Portland, OR. Oregon Tilth is a leading nonprofit certifier, educator, and advocate for organic agriculture and products. Since 1974, we have worked to build a brighter food future for all by balancing the needs of people and the planet. Our mission is to make our food system and agriculture biologically sound and socially equitable. Oregon Tilth shaped the first organic standards, created programs to support the adoption of organic climate smart practices, and directly works with thousands of farmers. Oregon Tilth is an Accredited Certifying Agent for the USDA’s National Organic Program.

I am a certified organic grain and beef cattle producer located in Bozeman, MT. As a first-generation farmer and rancher, I started my operation in 2004 and received organic certification in 2009. From my original leased 10 acres in 2004 my operation today consists of 806 acres on which I produce organic small grains and grass-finished beef cattle. Over the past several years we have identified ways to increase the market options for our crops and provide additional market outlets for our neighbor farmers. To this end, we have added certified organic processing to our operation and produce pelletized organic poultry, hog and layer feed as well as alfalfa pellets. In addition to my work as a farmer, I currently serve in the farmer seat on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). I have testified on behalf of organic farming before the US House of Representatives (2019) and work closely on policy solutions to help improve the integrity of the organic seal while fighting to make sure organic farming remains profitable for US producers. Since 2011 I have worked as an organic inspector, and as of 2024 have inspected over 3,000 operations in 48 states. I currently serve as a lead training for the International Organic Inspectors Association.

Tilth Alliance works in community with Washington’s farmers, gardeners and eaters for a more sustainable, healthy and equitable food future. Our strategic priorities include advancing organic, regenerative and sustainable growing practices, to increase demand for healthy food grown in Washington using organic, regenerative and sustainable growing practices, and to raise awareness of the critical relationship between food production and climate change. Our membership base is composed primarily of certified organic farmers. We serve our base through advocacy at the state and county level, by providing training opportunities, by directly connecting organic farmers to consumers through the Washington Farm and Food Finder, and by producing an annual conference where organic farmers from Washington can convene to learn, network and socialize. Melissa Spear has worked at the intersection of conservation and agriculture for the past 15 years. She started out at The Trust for Public Land, successfully protecting a number of iconic farms in Connecticut. She then spent 9 years as Executive Director of a non-profit organic urban farm and environmental education center serving the city of New Haven, CT. She served as the vice-chair of the Working Lands Alliance in Connecticut, an advocacy organization working to ensure farming remained a viable enterprise in the state. She moved to Seattle and became Executive Director of Tilth Alliance in 2018 where her focus is squarely on promoting and supporting the adoption of organic practices. Under her leadership, Tilth Alliance helped form a Coalition for Organic and Regenerative Agriculture that will advocate for organic farmers and farming practices both here in Washington state and in Washington D.C.

SOUTHERN (Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa)

Shawn’s farm is solely organic. He is a third-generation farmer, and started farming early with his dad and branched out on his own about 20 years ago. Shawn switched to organic farming in 2009. He and his family farm approximately 1500 acres. They grow sweet potatoes, edamame, black-eye peas, soybeans, rice, and corn. They find it exciting to find new crops to grow and diversify more each year. Shawn handles some of each aspect that goes into a farming operation. He is hands-on and fully involved in each decision that goes into the operation. Shawn has served on the USDA’s Specialty Crop Committee. He has also served on a dicamba specialty task force. Shawn enjoys speaking at meetings and conventions to share his knowledge and experience with others. He thinks organic farming is the future and wants to see it grow. Shawn will stand tall for his beliefs and advocate for what he believes in.

Steven is a first generation farmer that has been selling organic produce since 2008 from a small market garden at tailgate markets and has, along with his business partners, built a year round vertically integrated East Coast Organic vegetable brand. Steven started farming specifically to be an organic grower and has been committed to the organic movement since before he started farming. Steven also raised pastured poultry and pork for a number of years. He has experience and understanding in a diversity of organic farming scales because he started out with a small market garden selling at tailgate markets and now is a commercial scale organic grower packer shipper servicing large retail chains and distributors. TendWell Farm participates in the H2A visa program and has more than 75 employees. He understands the importance of policy and the way it affects the marketability and viability of real organic farming. Steven is one of the owners of TendWell Farm which grows about 600 acres of Organic vegetables in North Carolina and Florida. We supply organic squash, tomatoes, kale, lettuce, dandelion greens, and more to retailers and distributors on the East Coast year round. Steven started selling produce from a 1/16 of an acre market garden at local tailgate markets in 2008.

Roland grew up in Columbia, Missouri. His grandmother was a longtime subscriber to Organic Gardening; his family raised its own layer and fryer chickens, as well as grew most of their own vegetables. The family home was surrounded by conventional corn and soybean fields. Roland is a licensed attorney, and after the births of his children, he decided to devote his legal training and business experience to the service of promoting healthy agriculture for future generations. Roland lives in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Since 1979, CFSA has worked to unite farmers, consumers, and businesses from North Carolina and South Carolina to build a healthy, just, and sustainable food and farming system. CFSC provides farmers and food hubs with the tools, resources, and technical assistance they need to be resilient, profitable, and productive. They host conferences, workshops, meetups, and farm tours to keep stakeholders informed about the latest in local, organic food and farming. CFSC is also active in policy, driving local, state, and national policies to build a better food system.

NORTHEAST (New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware)

Eve and her husband Chris founded Garden of Eve organic farm in 2001, dedicated to providing delicious organic vegetables, fruits and beautiful flowers and to “making changes in the world by living them.” Invited to sell some extra produce from their garden (zucchini!) at a local farmers market they made $40 and were launched on their farming career. In the 20 years since then, they have expanded and now grow 60 acres of certified organic vegetables, flowers, raise 1500 pastured laying hens, and oversee a team of 20 at the height of the season. Garden of Eve sells produce through a large on-farm Market, 3 farmers markets, and nearly 1,000 households participating in their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs at 20 locations in New York City and on Long Island. Eve holds a BA from Harvard in Environmental Science and a MS in Conservation Biology and Sustainable Development from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She has also worked as a land preservation advocate with the North Fork Environmental Council and as Principal Planner for the Town of Southampton. In Eve’s over 20 years of operating a family-scale organic farm, She has been constantly challenged to overcome the innumerable challenges that farmers face, as well as the ways that the chemical farming industry overrides the interests of real farmers in national policy. She is a longtime supporter of several OG watchdog groups and has seen how “Big Food” continues to try to water down the organic standards that the rest of us work so hard to uphold. She is well qualified for the OFA Governing Council with her skills in advocacy and lobbying, through her longtime involvement in land planning and farmland preservation on the North Fork of Long Island. She has worked with groups both inside and outside of local government to help secure the preservation of large tracts of vulnerable land including what became the Hallock State Park; North Fork County Park, and farmland that has now been preserved for perpetuity through Purchase of Development Rights.

Katie Baildon, Policy Manager has worked on advocating for strong organic policy with NOFA-NY for three years. She works on behalf of NOFA-NY membership and the 1900+ certified organic operations in NY. In addition to fighting for organic integrity, NOFA-NY also certifies about 1000 organic operations and administers NY’s TOPP programming and partners in the Climate Smart Farming and Marketing Program. Founded in 1983, NOFA-NY is the premier organization growing a strong organic regenerative agriculture movement in New York State. We provide farmer-to-farmer educational programming and technical assistance to NYS farmers, connect consumers with local and organic products, and advocate for a sustainable and fair food and farm system. NOFA-NY provides USDA-accredited organic certification services to over 1,100 of NY’s organic farms and businesses.

Seth is 51 and his wife and he have two children in their late teens who have grown up on the farm. His farming career began as a summer hand on a small organic farm in coastal California. Moving east with his graduate school bound wife, he worked and managed farms in Massachusetts and New York before landing in Maine and starting Crystal Spring Farm almost 20 years ago. In his training as a farmer, he worked with and learned from the founding generation of organic growers who created a brand to support their belief that there is a better way to grow food. OFA consistently represents the organic issues he believes need to be heard in Washington DC. In addition to his experience as a certified grower, Seth has lobbied in DC for the farm bill, worked with both state and federal congressional staff on ag issues and spoken/presented at local and regional farm conferences. 


OFA Welcomes Fall Interns

2024/5 Interns Join OFA to Gain Hands-On Experience

Recently, the Organic Farmers Association welcomed two enthusiastic interns to join the team, offering them a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of organic agriculture advocacy. These interns are not only gaining valuable insights into the principles and practices of organic farming but are also actively contributing to the organization’s mission of elevating farmer voices.

OCN connects organic organizations to students who are interested in exploring career pathways in the organic industry. The OCN aims to provide students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with organic certification, inspection, advocacy, and farmer education organizations and agencies.

 

Welcome Interns!

Nikkira McCall

Racial Equity Program Development & Communications Intern

Nikkira McCall is a third-year undergraduate at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural & Environmental Systems with a concentration in Sustainable Land & Food Systems. Her academic journey fuels her passion for Environmental Justice, Food Security, Urban and Community Horticulture, Viticulture, and Plant & Soil Sciences. On campus, Nikkira is an active member of several organizations, including Aggies for Natural Consumption & Living, Aggies Go Green, and MANRRS & Collegiate Farm Bureau. Outside of her studies, she enjoys exploring art museums, writing poetry, reading, and cultivating her love for gardening. In her role as the Racial Equity Program Development and Communications Intern with the Organic Farmers Association, Nikkira is dedicated to bridging the gap between organic farming practices and underrepresented farming communities. She is particularly focused on advocating for Queer and BIPOC farmers while expanding her knowledge of federal agricultural policies that shape the future of farming.

Kiera Sherrod

Farmer Services Intern

Kiera is a sophomore food science major at Tuskegee University who was born in Albany, GA, where her family owns a farm, and where she was first exposed to farming and agriculture. Due to this background, Kiera found herself intrigued by agriculture and how the different foods we eat affect our bodies. This interest is what pushed her to become a food science major and continue to look for opportunities that will further her understanding of agriculture.

Ella Lucabaugh

Policy Intern

Currently a senior at American University’s School of International Service, Ella studies International Studies with a focus on Environmental Sustainability and Global Health, complemented by a minor in Environmental Science. Her passion lies in creating healthy food systems at both local and federal levels, driven by her belief that organic agriculture not only promotes human health but also nurtures soil vitality and biodiversity. As OFA’s Organic Policy Intern, Ella leverages her interdisciplinary background in policy and science to help create healthier and more accessible food options for all.


OFA Opposes Measure J and Here's Why

OFA Opposes Measure J and Here’s Why

This November, voters in Sonoma County, California will have the opportunity to vote on Measure J. If passed, the measure would amend the Sonoma County Code to phase-out existing and prohibit future dairy and poultry Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), including small, medium and large farms with CAFO designation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency assigns the designation of CAFO in order to regulate operations that could pose a risk to natural resources. The definition of CAFO includes confinement of animals for 45 days or more, and categorizes operations based on size and contact with surface water. 

Organic Farmers Association (OFA) recognizes that factory farms are disastrous for the environment, human health, and animal welfare. Promoting animal welfare and fighting corporate consolidation are consistent policy priorities of OFA. However, this measure is so broadly written that it would include small to medium pasture-based and certified organic farmers. These farmers independent organic farmers would become collateral damage, outweighing whatever benefit it might generate.  

In Sonoma County, 100% of dairies are pasture-based and 84% of these dairies are organic (1), with cows managed on pasture and with stringent requirements for animal welfare. If Measure J were to pass, it would prohibit all dairies over 700 cows from operating regardless of how those cows are managed. However, since organic and pasture based dairies in Sonoma County must often house their animals in the winter months to protect soil and pasture health, operations as small as 200 cows could also be forced to close or downsize. This would have a ripple effect throughout the region, impacting agricultural equipment and processing businesses and leaving thousands of acres of farmland and pasture at risk for development.

While OFA does not often weigh in on local policies, we have chosen to support our California members and allies in opposition of Measure J. 

For more information on Measure J, read this statement from Community Alliance with Family Farmers, and visit No On Measure J or Sonoma Food No On J.

If you are interested in finding ways to oppose factory farms around the country, OFA supports the Farm System Reform Act. The Farm System Reform Act would:

  • Place an immediate moratorium on new and expanding large CAFOs, and phase out by 2040 the largest CAFOs as defined by the Environmental Protection Agency
  • Hold corporate integrators responsible for pollution and other harm caused by CAFOs
  • Provide a voluntary buyout for farmers who want to transition out of operating a CAFO
  • Strengthen the Packers and Stockyards Act to protect family farmers and ranchers, including:
    • Prohibit the use of unfair tournament or ranking systems for paying contract growers
    • Protect livestock and poultry farmers from retaliation
    • Create market transparency and protect farmers and ranchers from predatory purchasing practices
  • Restore mandatory country-of-origin labeling requirements for beef and pork and expand to dairy products
  • Prohibit the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) from labeling foreign imported meat products as “Product of USA”

Please find your Legislators’ information here, and ask them to support the Farm System Reform Act (S. 271, H.R. 797)  to fight factory farming and provide a more just food system.

 

1 – https://www.farmtrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/48-5_14_2024-COUNTY-COUNSEL-INITIATIVE-PETITION-FOR-SONOMA-COUNTY-PROHIBITION-ON-CONCENTR.pdf 


September 2024 Member Spotlight: Amy Bruch

You’ve maybe heard the idea that farming isn’t a job, it’s a calling. Our September member spotlight shines on Amy Bruch of Cyclone Farms in East Central Nebraska, and that’s her philosophy. To Amy, organic farming is a lifestyle and for nearly a decade Amy has been dedicated to growing her organic farm and thriving in this system.

Cyclone Farms is located in East Central Nebraska and is owned and operated by 6th generation farmers, Amy and Tyler Bruch.


Amy grew up doing farm chores with her father and it didn’t take long for her to realize she wanted to turn farming into a profession. Amy began her career as an agricultural engineer for General Mills, but soon found herself farming in Brazil with her future husband. The two farmed in a developing agricultural area, and this would become one of those life experiences that would stay with Amy throughout her career and shape her farming ideology.


The farmland in Brazil was called cerrado in Portuguese, which translates into scrubland; it was the frontier and had highly acidic soil that needed improving. However, by learning more about the soil and how to balance the ecosystem they were working with, their crops started to succeed. But soon, home and the farm in Nebraska called due to the sudden passing of Amy’s father. Amy and her husband, Tyler, returned to the U.S. and as 6th generation farmers began a new farming journey.


The farm wasn’t organic at the time, but by using what they learned from their work in Brazil, they brought the idea of a balanced system—especially a balanced soil system—to the farm. Now, after almost a decade of farming organically, Amy has found that innovation, balance, learning from other farmers, and using her experiences to help the next generation of organic farmers is what’s most meaningful.


Amy’s vision is to get more people involved in organic farming, especially young people. The more farmers there are in this movement, the more continuous improvement can occur and protect integrity and further enhance programs like crop insurance for organic producers and market availability. But Amy realized one way in which to create positive change was to apply for an NOSB board farmer seat and was appointed for a five-year term. Now Amy is working on expanding the resources, tools, and systems available to organic farmers. Amy’s focus includes continuing to improve organic integrity and exploring how the private sector can rally around organic to help grow the industry.


To Amy, these two ideas can work in tandem to lift up the industry. With the addition of the transition to organic partnership program (TOPP), there is a renewed energy to assist growers to transition to organic. Amy believes this is important and that encouraging a focus on retention of existing organic producers and continuing to ensure integrity while focusing on market outlets is a good place to start. The USA is a net exporter of conventional commodities and almost a net importer of the organic commodity counterparts such as organic corn and organic soybeans. If companies made the choice to buy from domestic organic farmers first they could create a more efficient and transparent organic supply chain, grow organic market opportunities for domestic producers, diversify farmers’ crops, and support soil health. Domestic producers want to ensure all are playing by the same rules and many have long been worried about the impact on the market as fraud increased, but the solution has been slow to come.


Another lesson Amy learned from her time in Brazil is that any situation can be overcome with the right approach, and she knows that farmer voices are critical to making policy changes that support and protect organic farmers. Another way to promote positive change in organics is to become active in advocacy, and that is one of the reasons Amy really appreciates teaming up with OFA which aggregates the voice of the farmer to create positive policy changes for the organic community. By digging deeper into these issues through advocacy and getting involved in policy work, farmers can be their own best advocates when it comes to helping the industry grow. Amy’s goal with this work is to create a future where kids growing up on family farms today will have market access, a pathway to continue the family operation, and most of all, fair policy support to protect their farming businesses.
You have to have an entrepreneurial spirit to be in organic farming, Amy pointed out, and that seems especially true when you think you only have a limited number of seasons in your lifetime to do what you love. She reminds us all that learning from and overcoming challenges, getting to know other farmers and processes, and embracing innovation every year is a gift that this system provides for organic farmers. It’s what keeps us all going so we have the ability to breathe more life into the work each season.

 

Would you like to nominate someone for the Member Spotlight? Please email your recommendation to madison[@]organicfarmersassociation.org


Summer Interns Join OFA to Explore Organic Careers

OFA Summer 2024 Interns Explore Organic Careers

Organic Farmers Association welcomed two interns to the team to learn, contribute, and experience organic agriculture advocacy in action.

OCN connects organic organizations to students who are interested in exploring career pathways in the organic industry. The OCN aims to provide students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with organic certification, inspection, advocacy, and farmer education organizations and agencies.

Welcome Summer Interns

Sofia Caracci

Farmer Services Intern

Having begun her academic studies in nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Sofia has always had an interest in health and wellness. As a Mellon Scholar in Food Policy, she began to examine the broader context between nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and public health, where her interest in farming grew. Since then, she has coordinated a local farmers market, worked in sustainability curriculum development, and joined the Advisory Board at Chicago Grows Food. In her role as a Farmer Services Intern, Sofia hopes to learn more about farm policy, while leveraging her skills in grassroots organizing and community outreach.

Sancha Gonzalez

Communications Intern

Sancha is a rising senior at Wellesley College pursuing a double major in American Politics and American Studies. She is passionate about fostering equitable and inclusive communities and is driven by the belief that effective policy and community engagement can inspire real political action. Sancha’s interest in sustainable practices extends to organic farming, where she hopes to advocate for environmentally friendly agricultural methods that also value the relationship between community and the land. She believes that organic farming not only benefits the environment but also betters the well-being of the community by providing access to healthy, locally grown food.


July 2024 Member Spotlight: Harriet Behar

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering about how a particular piece of the organic movement began, when a policy was launched, or how new farm practices caught on, we know a person who will know the back story. Our July member spotlight is Harriet Behar, long-time OFA member, organic farmer, and one could say organic farming savant.

Harriet has over 40 years of experience in the organic sector, including as an organic educator and an organic inspector.

Harriet earns that high praise for one, she’s a great storyteller and has collected some incredible tales from her 50 years as an organic farmer, but also from everyone she’s worked with in the industry over the years. She also earned her place in organic farming from years of pushing the boundaries and asking questions.

Her journey started when Harriet was studying journalism at the University of Wisconsin and had a summer job at the botanical gardens. She had started working outdoors with plants and enjoyed the experience of seeing how nature worked together. (Side story, this was 1972 and Harriet was the first woman they ever hired. Ask her to tell you this story next time your paths cross, it’s worth the time, the laughs, and the reflection on how far we’ve come!) Around this time Harriet met new friends who were living on a farm. It wasn’t long before she moved there, dropped out of school, and became a farmer. Age-old story of how to become an organic farmer, right?

Soon she moved to a farm to grow vegetables for the community based on relationships she built with the Madison co-ops and restaurants, and also collaborated with other farmers mainly through the natural foods cooperative. This was during the same time the Madison farmers market launched where Harriet was one of the first vendors.

Then one fateful day, Harriet received a postcard in the mail about a new co-op, the Cropp Cooperative, today you know it as Organic Valley. Harriet worked there as the  farmer liaison where she got to visit a lot of farms, ask a lot of questions, and learn new farm practices. One day, the head seller asked her to step in for him during peak harvest. He handed her a rolodex and not much advice on how to get started. It was a rough few days of not selling anything, but if you know Harriet, you know this wasn’t going to stand. She started up the refrigerator truck and took the sales on the road for the first time. She earned higher prices for her sales, built new relationships with partners, and after her colleague returned, she found herself in a new role based on her success and creative approach to getting organic products into more markets.

Here she made connecting buyers and consumers with farmers and the stories of where their food came from the cornerstone of her approach—and this was long before the “Know Your Farmer” campaigns we all know today.
Harriet learned advocacy during this time and carried those lessons on as she became an organic inspector, served on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), was a representative to the National Organic Coalition (NOC), and sat on the committee that started the Organic Farmers Association, and now she’s OFA’s Farmer Services Consultant where she supports transitioning and organic farmers. Her stance on advocacy work is, “If you agree to be invisible you will be. So if you want something you have to speak up—be prepared with a good argument, and understand what the other side wants too.”

Harriet has some advice for anyone looking to get started with advocacy:

  • Look into different associations for your particular type of farming or in your region to find a group of farmers to learn from and share with
    Talk with people and get different perspectives—there’s strength in discussing issues in a larger group
  • Farming can be solitary, but building relationships is rewarding and enriching and can lead to change
  • And of course, you can reach out to Harriet. Swap stories, ask all the questions you can think of (even if you think they’re silly questions), and make a new organic farm friend.

 

Would you like to nominate someone for the Member Spotlight? Please email your recommendation to madison[@]organicfarmersassociation.org

 


June 2024 Member Spotlight: Emily Oakley and Mike Appel

The start of summer is a few days away and it’s said that no matter how many years a farmer has been farming, there are always surprises and challenges to face. Emily Oakley and Mike Appel of Three Springs Farm are our June member spotlight, and that old adage is definitely  true for them this season.

Emily and Mike met where you imagine all future organic farmers would meet… In an agroecology class on the first day of college. The two worked together, routinely outlasting their classmates in the Long Island heat and humidity, and soon Emily was convincing Mike that Oklahoma was the perfect location to build an organic farm.

Three Springs Farm organic farm owned by Mike and Emily Oakley in Oaks, Oklahoma

Emily is a first-generation farmer who grew up in Oklahoma and knew the market was ready for an organic farm and CSA program, plus the land was more affordable and Emily had local connections to help jumpstart the business. For three years they borrowed land in Tulsa thanks to the generosity of a local woman who let them use a few acres of her horse pasture. Emily looks back now and realizes what a sacrifice that was to give up that farm space, and she still refers to the landowner as a fairy godmother.

However, the pair soon needed more space and were hunting for property that they could certify and turn into a home as well. Another community member who had been watching their success grow stepped up to help them find their next farm, and they’ve been farming there for just over 17 years now. Each week they deliver organic produce to customers in central Tulsa via a tab model CSA program. This way they can deliver flexibility, affordability, and more options to the community as they can choose the products they want in their share, when they want them, and charge against a balance they paid earlier in the season. Mike and some friends even developed an app to make online share ordering easier for shoppers and the farm, and recently applied for a USDA grant to try to make it available to farmers across the country!

But while the farm is doing well and the CSA has great shopper retention, the farm is facing a challenge they thought they were protected against. Mike and Emily realized they were drifted on recently despite taking all the precautions to protect themselves from this calamity. The farm rests in a valley without neighboring farms, so they never thought it could happen to them. Currently they are working with their certifier, the department of agriculture, and have shared samples with Oklahoma State pathologists to begin to sort out what was sprayed and by whom. While they’ve notified their CSA members of the incident, it’s now a waiting game to see what the damage is and if they’ll lose their certification. 

It’s easy to imagine this experience will make Emily and Mike even more hardened advocates for the health of their environment and community. Both are working on local grassroots efforts to prevent CAFO expansion, and Mike, who serves on OFA’s Policy Committee, is particularly passionate about national issues like strengthening organic standards and making farming policies more organically focused. 

While these two are busier than expected this season, Emily shared a centering thought: Working with others, like being a part of OFA, brings a connection with other growers, a sense of community that cuts across farming systems and regions, and can give a farmer the impetus to keep going. “It feels like you’ll never make it past 5 years, or 10 years, then you do. But you wonder if you’ll keep going. But once we got 12 or 15 years in, we felt our systems were solidified and knowledge was increasing. Now we have an amazing community and farm set up—and nothing would give us greater reward and gratification than this.”

 

Would you like to nominate someone for the Member Spotlight? Please email your recommendation to madison[@]organicfarmersassociation.org


May 2024 Member Spotlight: Linda Halley

As we break into peak spring, it’s a good time to remember that we all have to create our own solutions to challenges. Our May Member Spotlight is Linda Halley, General Manager at Gwenyn Hill Farm and she’s been doing just that as an organic farmer for 30 years. Linda is preparing for retirement this summer, but also gearing up for the next chapter in her organic story—being a voice for farmers by influencing organic policy.

Linda grew up on a conventional farm that started as a dairy in the 50s, added crops in the 60s, and transitioned into corn, soy, and pastured beef in the 70s. But Linda didn’t identify with that path, and decided there might not be a place for her on the family farm. Instead, Linda studied to be a teacher. But after some years she decided she wanted to return home. Linda’s father had always inspired her to do anything, including taking risks. That belief, combined with Linda’s prediction that organic would be the new forefront of farming, convinced Linda to take the leap. With the support of her family, she took on a little piece of the family farm and started managing it organically.

But Linda soon discovered farming alone was hard and isolating. So Linda created her own solution. She started working with a farmer who would mentor her in organic vegetable growing. She found community and eventually jumped onto the first wave of the CSA movement in Madison, Wisconsin. She convinced her mentor farmer to start growing for a CSA–one of the first serving the Madison community in 1993—and she stayed to work on the farm.

They worked that farm for 15 years, and it’s still a successful CSA farm under new owners today. In that transition, Linda decided not to buy another farm, but rather she took all her experience and built a career managing other organic farms. That’s where Linda got the opportunity to provide mentorship to the next generation. Where she didn’t have educational opportunities to learn organic skills, and had to teach herself and find her own mentor, she now could provide all that to students and help the organic movement grow in a positive way. 

The farm Linda manages today partners with the state’s department of workforce development and a local community college to manage an apprenticeship program. Some of these students have even graduated and returned to the farm to become employees. While the reward of supporting these new farmers is immense, the work of mentoring isn’t easy for farmers. The apprentices ask tough questions and push those around them to be better farmers. At the same time, it’s hard to tell these young farmers to embrace the organic label and certification process in its current form knowing how challenging it can be when you’re first getting started. The fees, paperwork, and burden of building a local customer base are all topics apprentices weigh during their journey—all questions without easy solutions that weigh heavy on mentors’ minds. 

This is one reason why Linda wants to continue being an advocate for organic agriculture during retirement. Certification processes could be more approachable for all organic farmers, and getting to that point requires farmer action. Policy work isn’t something the average organic farmer has time for, but Linda feels she has the experience to help others and will soon have more time to do just that. 

Linda kicked off this part of her organic journey by submitting comments to the NOSB for the first time in her career in Milwaukee this spring, and she’s looking forward to the next opportunity to take action. By keeping the big picture in mind and moving the needle on organic policy, Linda is creating the next solution to the next challenge on her list—which we bet she’ll surely conquer as well. 

Would you like to nominate someone for the Member Spotlight? Please email your recommendation to madison[@]organicfarmersassociation.org