Policy, Farmer Services, and Communications Interns Explore Organic Careers
This spring, Organic Farmers Association welcomed three interns to the team to learn, contribute, and experience organic agriculture advocacy in action. As a part of the Organic Career Network (OCN), OFA has set a goal to increase diversity and equity in the organic sector including support for the exploration of career opportunities in the industry.
OCN connects organic organizations to underrepresented 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 Spring Interns
Amanda Jones
Policy Intern
Amanda is a passionate naturalist, gardener, and systems thinker. She has worked in organic agriculture and conservation in her home state of Virginia. She aspires to empower communities to create healthier and more sustainable ecosystems. She is graduating with a degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on sustainable food systems at George Mason University.
Brooke Tokushige
Farmer Services Intern
Brooke is a fourth year student-athlete at the University of California, Davis pursuing a Bachelors of Science in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems. Brooke has engaged in some farm work in the past and is interested in the social aspects of the agricultural industry. Giving farmers every chance they have at succeeding in their practice is important to Brooke who is working with OFA to create equity and justice throughout food systems and make farmers’ voices heard!
Louise Brownell
Communications Intern
Louise recently graduated from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo, Italy with a Master’s in Agroecology & Food Sovereignty. She is passionate about food system transformation, and wrote her thesis about local food related to the experience of visitors at Podere il Casale, a 60 hectare farm in Tuscany where she volunteered as part of the Master’s program. Prior to this experience, she worked in Washington, D.C. as the Director of Operations for a Wisconsin congressman, and earned her Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University.
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.