Former Food and Water Watch Maryland Senior Organizer will lead organic policy advocacy efforts. 

September 12, 2022: Organic Farmers Association, the nation’s unified voice for certified organic farmers, has named Lillian Hawkins to replace outgoing Patty Lovera as its new Policy Director who is moving to a fulltime role with Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment.

Hawkins brings an impressive background in grassroots organizing on farm and environmental issues and lobbying in Maryland with Food & Water Watch (FWW). Previously, she founded a local advocacy organization, SOMA Action, where she honed her activism and lobbying skills to enact change for her community. 

“I am looking forward to working closely with organic farmers from across the country to make sure their policy priorities are strongly represented in Washington, D.C.,” said Hawkins. “Working directly with community stakeholders to make their lives better has been a passion of mine, and I am excited to bring my skills to helping organic farmers build a stronger farmer movement with Organic Farmers Association.”

“Hawkin’s background in effective grassroots mobilization around sustainable environmental policy will help Organic Farmers Association coordinate strong campaigns to realize wins for organic farmers in Washington, D.C.,” said Organic Farmers Association director Kate Mendenhall.  

As Policy Director, Hawkins 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.  She will also lead OFA’s efforts on the upcoming farm bill, making sure organic farmers’ priorities are included.

Hawkins will build on the robust policy program led for the past three years by Lovera.  Lovera will continue to be an advisor to OFA during the transition and comments,  “Lily Hawkins will be a strong advocate for organic farmer policy priorities, and is well positioned to bring a strong organic voice into the development of the next Farm Bill.”  

Hawkins will begin her work at Organic Farmers Association preparing certified organic farmers for the upcoming farm bill and Washington, D.C. advocacy day in March 2023 when certified organic farmers from across the country will unite for training and advocacy to represent their fellow organic farmers and educate elected officials about the needs of organic farmers.

To join or support Organic Farmers Association in its efforts to bring an organic voice to national policy, please visit OrganicFarmersAssociation.org. 

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ABOUT ORGANIC FARMERS ASSOCIATION: The mission of the Organic Farmers Association 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. Learn more at OrganicFarmersAssociation.org.

Media Contact:

Kate Mendenhall
Executive Director
Email: Kate@OrganicFarmersAssociation.org 
Phone: 202-643-5363