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Organic farmer and longtime Organic Farming Research Foundation Senior Policy Analyst Mark Lipson let us know recently that he has accepted an important new post at the United States Department of Agriculture. That means he is leaving OFRF, a disappointing prospect for all of us who have worked with him over the years.

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Mark talks about the impact on Searching for the 'O' Word on federal organic policy and programs

Still, his new position at USDA as a program specialist for organic farming means his strength in farm policy will be widely applied to advancing organic agriculture nationally. That prospect provides such a strong positive frame to his departure that we find ourselves cheering as we bid him farewell.

Lipson leaves OFRF with high hopes that his new post will allow him to continue the kind of policy work he initiated here in 1995.

“What we’ve been trying to do at OFRF since I started working here is institutionalize organic agriculture as a constituency, and as a focus of program work within USDA. Our aim remains to impact all of agriculture through those changes. So, this does feel like a fruition of the work that we’ve been doing,” says Lipson.

Lipson built OFRF’s policy program from the ground up, beginning in 1995 by researching and writing the landmark report, Searching for the ‘O’ Word. The report revealed the absolute lack of USDA interest and financial support for organic farming research. It provided the foundation for OFRF’s policy program and fueled creation of its fair share campaign, an ongoing effort to garner a fair share of federal support for organic farming research.

OFRF Executive Director Bob Scowcroft hails Lipson’s contributions to OFRF and to the broader organic community. Scowcroft says Lipson’s new role is crucial to growing support for organic agriculture within the administration.

“We have too often perceived ourselves as being outside. We should be part of the solution on the inside as well. Our movement will be strengthened as more and more public servants with organic farming experience step up to serve as stewards of the public interest," says Scowcroft. "Having Mark at USDA with his background, and connections within the national organic community, provides a direct path for bringing the organic perspective to government leaders. It also serves as an example for others from our movement thinking of taking the step to work in government to advance organic agriculture,” says Scowcroft.

Scowcroft says Lipson is uniquely qualified to deliver the organic message because he has a firm grasp of organic policy, and he brings a farmer’s perspective to the discussion.

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Bob Scowcroft talks about the value of Mark Lipson’s voice as an organic farmer

“Advancing the farmer’s voice has always been OFRF’s mission. Mark is a person who does the day job, then goes home at night and worries about his tomato crop, the same as organic farmers all over the country. And he is able to translate those farm concerns and interests into clear policy language," says Scowcroft.

While Lipson has played a central role in organic farm policy work at OFRF for most of the organization’s 20-year history, he says the other members of the policy team now on staff (Ariane Lotti in Washington and Tracy Lerman in Santa Cruz) are a tremendously effective team that will continue to move the organization’s policy work forward.

Scowcroft underscores that assessment, saying “We have the leadership and the skill sets in place to pick up without missing a beat. We might have to refine our priorities a bit, but our core mission, our fundamental work to advance organic and build organic farming research will move right ahead.”

Lipson says he has committed two years to the USDA in Washington. He plans to return to farming at the Molino Creek Farm Collective in Davenport, CA when his tour in the nation’s capitol is completed. He assumes his new post at the USDA on June 14, 2010.