OFAN Farmer Fly-in Brings Organic Farmers to Washington, D.C.

Through its Organic Farmers Action Network, OFRF sent four organic farmers to Washington in July 2009, providing them an opportunity to talk directly with congressional representatives as well as high-level administrators at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), including USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and Natural Resource Conservation Service Chief Dave White.

Farmers Torrey Olson and Alan Haight from California, Sue Baird from Missouri and Andy Bozzuto from Connecticut participated in the Farmer Fly-in. (Learn more about their farms and their experiences in Washington, D.C. by clicking on each of the previous page links.)

Topping the list of farmers’ concerns were increased funding for organic data collection and additional support for organic and sustainable agriculture research. Interest in improving integration of organic into USDA conservation programs was also high on the agenda.

Travel costs for the OFAN farmers’ trip to D.C. were provided through a generous grant from Organic Valley’s Farmers Advocating for Organics Fund.

If you are an organic farmer and interested in political advocacy, join the Organic Farmer Action Network.  Contact Tracy Lerman, OFRF Policy Organizer to learn more.