Join an OFA Farmer Circle
A supportive virtual community open to all farmers
What is a Farmer Circle?
Organic Farmers Association was created for farmers, by farmers.
In circles, farmers may share their experiences, voice challenges, identify farmer-led solutions, support each other, and form friendships or mentorships. Farmer Circles offer a place to build a supportive community for what farmers need on a regular basis.
The term farmer circle is symbolic of the relationships we aim to establish and maintain, allowing participants to share equally in the conversation in a non-hierarchical format. Farmer Circles 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.
OFA’s purpose is to build and support a farmer-led national organic movement and we cannot do that without you! OFA Farmer Circles create a welcoming and safe space for farmers, farm workers, land owners, and others dedicated to the land and the organic movement to cultivate community with other organic farmers.
Current Farmer Circles
Collective Farmer Circle
The Collective Farmer Circle is a standing monthly community meeting open to all. This Circle aims to serve as a landing space for folks to come and learn about OFA, connect organic farmers across the country, and discuss what’s happening in the field. This circle may offer conversational focus around national programs, farmer challenges, etc. and is facilitated by the Farmer Services Team.
Soil & Soul Farmer Circle
The Soil & Soul series is a virtual workshop space for farmers who are organic curious, in transition, or certified organic. This series is designed to foster a holistic approach to farming, integrating wellness, cultural heritage, and practical skills for sustainable agriculture. Each session combines educational content with wellness practices and community storytelling.
Upcoming Farmer Circles
Collective Farmer Circle | Get ready for your organic inspection, easy strategies for tracking activities and inputs, planting, harvesting and sales | May 15, 2025 (1-2pm, ET)
Whether you are experiencing your first organic inspection, or have been inspected for decades, knowing you are well prepared can lessen anxiety and spend more time out in the field and less time with the inspector on your well-organized paperwork. New organic regulations require stricter auditing. We will share how to prepare common sense documentation that protects organic integrity from seed to sale.
Soil & Soul | Soil & Spirit: Regenerative and Organic Soil Health Practices | May 8, 2025 (3-4pm, ET)
Explore the deep connection between soil, stewardship, and sustainability. Together, we will learn from an expert on Indigenous regenerative techniques that align with organic standards, honoring time-tested practices that restore and sustain the land. Through guided visualization, we will reflect on soil care as an act of reciprocity and respect. We’ll highlight funding opportunities for soil enrichment initiatives, including cover cropping and composting. Let’s cultivate healthier soil and a more resilient future, together!
Collective Farmer Circle | Irrigation Strategies for Specialty Crop Growers | June 19, 2025 (1-2pm, ET)
As weather patterns become more erratic, the need for irrigation to germinate seeds for an even stand, as well as provide moisture as the crop matures, dictates the need for a watering strategy that fits the scale, crops, soil types and capabilities of the farmer. There are numerous irrigation systems, movable or static, drip or overhead, well or surface water and more that could be used. We will discuss what is working in your region and farm type, as well as where to buy equipment and problem solve to improve your current system.
Soil & Soul | Blooming Identities: Celebrating Queer Pride in Farming | June 12, 2025 (3-4pm, ET)
Enter a space to honor and uplift LGBTQ+ voices in agriculture. Hear from a farmer who has woven their identity into their work, creating a farm that reflects both passion and pride. In a reflection circle, we will explore what it means to embrace identity within agricultural spaces. The session will also share resources on inclusive farming conferences, pride events, and support networks that foster belonging. Come celebrate Pride month in this sacred circle!
Meet the Facilitators
Ina Maka is a natural mother, a steward, a student, a homesteader, an herbalist, a great many of things that bring her back to connection with the earth, preservation, and the revolution that is fellowship. Ina’s purpose and approach to this work is reconnection. She understands that there is a disconnection, especially within her own community to healthy food. Ina understands that a lack of knowledge and resources plaques people just like me and causes a gap in lifestyle choices. Her personal mission is to bridge those gaps within her community.
Please feel free to contact Ina with any questions at ina[@]organicfarmersassociation.org
For over 40 years, Harriet has been an organic educator (UW Madison, MOSES) and an organic inspector, visiting thousands of organic operations. She was the chair of the National Organic Standards Board in 2019. Organic inspectors, farmers, ranchers, bankers, USDA personnel, crop insurance agents, retail stores, veterinarians, extension agents and more have benefited from her deep knowledge of organic methods and regulations through written materials, webinars and in-person workshops. Harriet worked at the cooperative that became Organic Valley for their first 8 years, as the marketing coordinator and a management team member. She and her husband have managed a certified organic farm since 1989, growing bedding plants, vegetables, herbs and small grains as well as small scale commercial operation selling eggs and honey.
Harriet(at)OrganicFarmersAssociation.org
Get Involved
Complete this Interest Form to learn more about Farmer Circles and how to get involved.
If a Farmer Circle is not currently offered that interests you, please email Project Manager Ryann Monteiro at ryann(at)organicfarmersassociation.org.
