WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
OFA held its Annual Meeting and Reception on June 22 at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT via Zoom. The annual meeting included a short review of OFA’s work in 2021 and what we are looking forward to in 2022. The reception featured a presentation and discussion with ORGANIC FARMER and USDA Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, Jenny Lester Moffitt, for a lively conversation about her family’s California organic farm, how she got involved in government, and why it is important for organic farmers to get involved in policy!
Watch the OFA Annual Meeting!
OFA ANNUAL MEETING
7:00 PM Eastern/4:00 PM Pacific: Welcome by David Colson, President
– Introduction of our new Governing Council & Policy Committee members.
– Thank you to outgoing members.
7:15 PM: Overview of 2021 -Kate Mendenhall, Executive Director
RECEPTION
7:30 PM: Introduction of USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt
7:35 PM: USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt
7:50 PM: Q&A with Under Secretary Lester Moffitt
8:00 PM: Adjourn
Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt
Jenny Lester Moffitt has roots in organic farming, which she brought to her work in California and now in Washington, D.C.
Jenny Lester Moffitt was confirmed as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the USDA last fall and is responsible for facilitating trade and setting national and international agricultural standards, including the National Organic Program (NOP).
Jenny is a 5th generation farmer, who has established a successful career in agricultural policy. She managed her family’s organic walnut farm for ten years and then served as Undersecretary and Deputy Secretary at the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) for six years before being asked to come to Washington, D.C. and work for the current administration. Her experience and roots in organic allow her to understand the needs of both farmers and consumers and how both are essential to a strong organic movement.
Jenny’s father transitioned the family’s walnut farm to organic in 1989 and became certified organic in 1992. She says, “Growing up and helping run my family’s walnut farm showed me just how valuable the USDA is to farmers, processors, and consumers. I developed a passion for agriculture, farmers, and the food system, so I’ve always wanted to work in agriculture.”
Join today and support organic farmers!
Organic Farmers Association members support a strong voice for organic farmers in Washington, D.C.
The Organic Farmers Association is the ONLY national organization where solely independent certified organic farms determine its policies and work agenda. OFA was founded on the belief that the voice of farmers like you should carry the most weight in agricultural policy decisions.
In recent years, OFA has made a difference by putting significant pressure on the USDA to finalize the Origin of Livestock Rule to help organic dairies and finalize the Strengthening Organic Enforcement Rule to stop organic fraud and increase enforcement. We testified and advocated to allow paper pots for small-scale vegetable growers, introduced the ODAIRY Act of 2023, and advocated for stronger animal welfare standards for organic livestock and poultry production (OLPS Rule).
We have proved that farmer voices are stronger when we work together. Join us in this movement by becoming a member today!
Farm
Membership
U.S. certified organic farmers should select this membership. Only farm members are eligible to vote on Organic Farmers Association policy positions and priorities. International farmers, or farms that are not certified organic, should select the Supporter Membership.
Supporter Membership
Not a certified organic farmer, but want to support the organic farmers that make our planet and food systems a better place? Supporter members will be connected to the discussions about policies that affect organic farmers, and be called to advocate on their behalf.
Organization Membership
Organizations that have a significant membership (or stakeholders) of certified organic farmers should select this membership. Organization Members receive the tools they need to advocate for policies important to organic farmers and extend their network.