Organic Farmers in Action
OFRF Brings Farmers to Washington, D.C., April 6-7 to Educate Congress About Organic
Post by Udi Lazimy, April 8, 2011
OFRF partnered with the Organic Trade Association (OTA) to support OTA’s Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days in Washington, D.C. on April 6th and 7th. The goal of the conference was to carry the organic message to Capitol Hill, where industry leaders joined organic farmers to communicate the importance of organic agriculture to Congress.
OFRF brought four unique, successful and passionate farmers from New York, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wisconsin to the event to express their commitment to farming organically and the importance of congressional support for organic farming. OFRF partnered with Organic Valley to bring an organic farmer from Maine to attend the event.
Additionally, speakers at the OTA Policy Conference included U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, congressional organic agriculture leaders, and OFRF’s Executive Director Maureen Wilmot.
During this critical time for organic agriculture, it is more important than ever before that U.S. senators and representatives hear directly from organic farmers about priorities such as the need to maintain funding for research, conservation, marketing, beginning farmer and other federal programs that support and promote organic farming.
The five farmers represent a diverse spectrum of agricultural production:
Will Harris and the Harris family own and operate White Oak Pastures, an organic, grass-fed beef cattle farm in Bluffton, GA. Will was recently awarded the Georgia Small Business Person of the Year award by the Small Business Association, White Oak Pastures received the Governor’s Award for Environmental Stewardship in 2009 and 2011, and Will is the president of Georgia Organics’ Board of Directors, and is the Beef Director of the American Grassfed Association.
Michael Kilpatrick is the owner of Kilpatrick Family Farm, which grows vegetables and raises chickens using organic practices on over 100 acres near Granville, NY. The farm sells to four farmers markets per week, employs 6 people full-time, and grows produce year-round in high tunnels.
 Kathy Moore owns Anichini-Moore Ranch and Farm, where she farms in Woodward, OK and is a lifelong proponent of growing and eating local foods, composting, conservation, and family farms. The ranch produces rare-breed sheep wool, grass pastured lamb, large black hog products, produce, flowers, nuts and fruit. Kathy is the co-founder of the Oklahoma Composting Council and received the Oklahoma State University Green Award for Sustainability in March 2011.
 Mark Shepard is the CEO of Forest Agriculture Enterprises and the owner and manager of New Forest Farms in Viola, WI. New Forest Farms is a 104 acre perennial agricultural farm and forest considered by many to be one of the most ambitious sustainable agricultural projects in the U.S. Mark and his family grow organic fruits, vegetables, and tree nuts.
 Sarah Smith owns Grassland Farm in central Maine, a certified organic farm and dairy. The farm milks 45 diverse dairy cows, produces organic, grass-fed beef, chickens and seasonal mixed vegetables. The farm markets their products at farmers markets throughout central Maine.
For more information about OTA’s Policy Conference and Hill Visit Days, read our press release leading up to the events. |
