Meet New Policy Director, Patty Lovera

In 2020, Organic Farmers Association hired Patty Lovera as its new Policy Director.

Lovera brings an impressive background in grassroots organizing on farm and food issues and lobbying in Washington, D.C., as well as extensive knowledge of organic farming topics. Previously, she helped start and grow Food & Water Watch (FWW), serving as their Food and Water Program Director for 14 years. In this role, she represented FWW in the National Organic Coalition.

“I am looking forward to working directly with organic farmers from across the nation and supporting a strong voice for organic farmer issues in Washington, D.C.,” said Lovera. “Working directly with farmers has always been a passion of mine. I am eager to continue working to build a strong organic farmer movement with Organic Farmers Association.”

Lovera has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Lehigh University and a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy from the University of Michigan. Before joining FWW, she was the deputy director of the Energy and Environment program at Public Citizen and a researcher at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

“Patty’s extensive background in grassroots mobilization around sustainable and organic food policy will help Organic Farmers Association expand our engagement among domestic certified organic farmers as well as continue to impact those policies on the hill,” said Organic Farmers Association director Kate Mendenhall.

As Policy Director, Lovera will work directly with Organic Farmers Association’s elected Policy Committee, comprised of twelve certified organic farmer members and six advisory organizational members from six U.S. geographic regions. She will facilitate the annual grassroots policy development process, where all U.S. certified organic farmers are invited to submit policy priorities and policy positions for the Policy Committee’s review, and ultimately OFA farmer members’ vote.

Lovera will build extensive grassroots campaigns around key organic farmer policy priorities, as well as ensure the participation of a strong organic voice in the development of the next Farm Bill. The OFA Policy Director is directly responsible for bringing the concerns of OFA members to Congress through lobby days and other advocacy efforts.

Lovera’s addition to the Organic Farmers Association team comes as the organization is still gathering input from certified organic growers on their policy priorities for 2020. She will also guide the organization during their Advocacy Day in March 2020. OFA’s legislative priorities in 2019 included improving enforcement of the Origin of Livestock Rule and organic dairy standards, removing hydroponics from organic certification, and eliminating organic fraud.

“We’re thrilled to bring such as impressive organic advocate to Organic Farmers Association,” said OFA President David Colson.

Lovera will begin her work at Organic Farmers Association preparing certified organic farmers for the upcoming organic farmer advocacy day on March 10, 2020 in Washington, DC. Certified organic farmers from across the country will unite for training and advocacy in Washington to represent their fellow organic farmers and make sure our elected officials hear the policy priorities of organic farmers to continue to supply communities across the country with healthy food and fiber.

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! 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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PO Box 709
Spirit Lake, IA 51360
202-643-5363
info@OrganicFarmersAssociation.org

About the Organic Farmers Association

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. In 2020, OFA gained its 501c5 nonprofit status.  Rodale Institute supports this initiative as fiscal sponsor and partner with OFA’s farmer leadership.

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