Meet Kate Mendenhall, Director of Organic Farmers Association

“I have been waiting my whole professional life for the Organic Farmers Association! We as organic farmers need a strong voice in DC advocating our positions on organic issues—asking organic farmers what they really need and want and working with existing organic organizations to make it a reality at the federal level. Together we’ll build a stronger organic farmer movement!”

Kate Mendenhall worked with Pesticide Action Network and CUESA at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco before traveling to the east to work for NOFA-NY for a decade, the last five years as their Executive Director. Now Kate lives in her hometown in Okoboji, Iowa working with the Iowa Organic Association and starting her own organic mixed livestock farm. Her nationwide experience and dedication to organic farmers throughout her career makes leading the Organic Farmers Association the logical next step and she’s ready to advocate for what farmers need and want from the ground up!

In 2016 farmers from across the country came together to launch the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) to unite organic farmers for a better future together. Rodale Institute supports this initiative as fiscal sponsor and partner with OFA’s farmer leadership.

The mission of OFA is to provide a strong and unified national voice for domestic certified organic producers. With the purpose to build and support a farmer-led national organic farmer movement and national policy platform by: developing and advocating policies that benefit organic farmers; strengthening and supporting the capacity of organic farmers and farm organizations; and supporting collaboration and leadership among state, regional and national organic farmer organizations.

Whether you’re a farmer, organization or supporter, we welcome all to become an OFA member. Learn more about member benefits and become an OFA member today!