Fall Interns Join OFA to Gain Hands-On Experience in Organic
The Organic Farmers Association has welcomed three new interns to the team this fall! The interns will have a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of organic agriculture advocacy. They will not only gain valuable insights into the principles and practices of organic farming, but will also actively contribute to OFA’s mission of elevating and uniting farmer voices.
The interns are part of the fall Organic Career Network (OCN) cohort. OCN connects organic organizations to students who are interested in exploring career pathways in the organic sector, and aims to provide students with the opportunity to get hands-on experience with organic certification, inspection, advocacy, and farmer education organizations and agencies.
Welcome, Interns!
Amanda Ohnmacht
Farmer Services Intern
Amanda is a graduate student in Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University. She holds a BFA in Ceramics with a minor in Applied Biological Sciences from ASU, along with a certificate in Sustainable Agriculture from Mesa Community College. With a passion for small-scale ecological farming, she is committed towards building sustainable and regenerative food systems. Her long-term goal is to establish her own farm rooted in agroecological practices.
Aparna Nidamanuri
Communications Intern
Aparna currently lives in Illinois, where she was born and raised. She graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2024, with a BS in Agriculture and Food Business Management. While in school she interned both in the public and private sectors and was able to narrow down her interest in sustainable movements after being exposed to many facets of the food system. For the past year she did Americorps, serving the communications and development team of a non profit food hub in Rhode Island that primarily focused on building market opportunities for local producers, and promoting local eating. Right now she is studying for the GRE, and hopes to eventually get a masters degree in economics.
Assata Makonnen
Policy Intern
Assata is a sophomore at the University of Maryland College Park, where she pursues a B.S. in Environmental Science and Policy with a minor in Sustainability Studies. On campus, she is a member of the environmental science and policy student advisory board ENSPire, the Jimenez-Porter Writers’ House, the University Student Judiciary, Maryland Mock Trial, and serves as the head of the UMD Chapter of the nationwide organization, Plant Futures Initiative. She is particularly passionate about the intersection between the natural world and people/society, which is what led her to join the Organic Farmers Association. Through pursuing a career in environmental law, she hopes to advocate for marginalized voices within the environmental community and push for a revision of current food systems to prioritize organic, regenerative, and sustainable living.
Join the Organic Farmers Association and Have Your Policy Needs Heard
OFA is the only national organization where certified organic farmers set and lead policy priorities. Join organic farmers and supporters across the country advocating for the policies that protect small and midsized family farms.
Farm
Membership
For U.S. Certified Organic Farmers
As a Farm Member, you have full voting rights on OFA’s policy positions and priorities making you a direct decision-maker in the national organic movement.
Supporter Membership
For Anyone Who Believes in Organic Farming
Not certified organic? A concerned consumer? Retired organic farmer? You can still make a difference! Supporter members receive policy updates, action alerts, and opportunities to advocate on behalf of organic farmers nationwide.
Organization Membership
For Organizations Serving Organic Farmers
Extend your network and give your members a stronger national voice. Organization Members get advocacy tools, policy resources, and direct connection to the broader organic farming community.