ORGANIC FARMERS RAISE THEIR VOICES:
Join The “Organic Farmers Action Network”

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (July 31, 2006) - The Organic Farming Research Foundation is helping organic growers make their voices heard in the policy arena with the new Organic Farmers Action Network (OFAN). Members of the free Network receive information about policy issues directly affecting organic producers, and timely alerts for taking action.

Brise Tencer is OFRF’s Legislative Coordinator and spearheads the OFAN project. “Legislators tell us that hearing directly from producers has a huge impact on farm policies,” according to Tencer. “The voices of organic growers have not been heard very clearly in Congress. The Action Network is designed to give organic growers some tools for participating in the policy-making process, and alert them when it is time to weigh in.”

More than 500 growers in 226 Congressional districts across 48 states have joined the OFAN Network since its inception in February. The action alert system demonstrated its effectiveness in May after Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ) introduced an amendment to the 2007 USDA budget bill (at the request of the NOFA-New Jersey growers’ group) to increase USDA funding for organic farming research. OFAN alerts generated phone calls to House Members from growers across the country, helping the amendment to pass by a voice vote on the House floor. The Senate ha s yet to finalize its version of the 2007 budget bill, so the OFAN Network will be alerted this Fall as that moves forward.

Network members are also growing the Organic Caucus in the House of Representatives. The bipartisan Caucus was formed in 2003 and now counts nearly 50 House Members. By making phone calls and inviting legislators to tour organic farms, OFAN members are encouraging their Congressional Representatives to join the group. Getting House Members to join the Organic Caucus is a very simple but powerful way to educate policy makers and amplify the voice of organic growers.

Organic producers and others are invited to join OFAN through the OFRF web site at www.ofrf.org. For questions & suggestions, contact Brise Tencer and OFAN via email: action@ofrf.org, or phone: 831-426-6606.

###