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Senate Agriculture Committee Passes Farm Bill with Big Wins for Organic

June 13, 2018 – Today the Senate Agriculture Committee voted to favorably report the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (S. 3042), the Senate Farm Bill, out of Committee by a vote of 20-1. Senator Grassley (R-IA) voted against the bill.

The next step is the floor of the Senate, where members will vote on passage of the Farm Bill. During the debate, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-MY) promised that the bill will reach the Senate floor before the Fourth of July.

With the Senate Agriculture Committee’s passage, organic agriculture is one step closer to unprecedented achievements in the Farm Bill. We are very pleased the Senate Agriculture Committee has included a historic increase in funding for organic research, strong language on organic enforcement, funding for the organic data initiative, and support for the certified organic cost share program.

Specifically, the Senate Farm Bill text renews the USDA’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), which was funded at $20 million in the last Farm bill, to $40 million over the next two years, gradually increasing to $50 million annually by 2022. This investment in organic agriculture provides the necessary baseline funding to support robust scientific research, education programs, and extension resources to help American farmers and ranchers succeed in organic agriculture.

The Senate draft also included a wide array of provisions for the organic sector that OFRF advocated for. This includes robust enforcement and trade oversight, along with $11.5 million in annual funding for the organic certification cost share programs, $5 million for the organic data initiative, increased authorizations for the National Organic Program (NOP), as well as some changes to conservation programs that support organic farmers and those seeking to transition to organic.

While OFRF was not advocating for any changes to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), there were some serious concerns the Senate draft would seek to undermine the integrity and authority of the NOSB. While the bill does make a minor change that codifies the current voting structure of the Board, requiring a 2/3’s majority vote on any motion that seeks to amend the National List, it does not undermine the overall integrity of the NOSB.

Many thanks to the Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), as well as all of their staff, for their efforts to ensure that organic farmers and ranchers will have the research, tools, and programs necessary for success. We also applaud the hard work of Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) who were champions for an increase for organic research; Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) who championed organic trade enforcement; Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) who pushed to address the separate and unfair payment limit for organic and transitioning-to-organic producers in the USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program; and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for expanding the eligibility for landowners with expiring Conservation Reserve Programs to allow new farmers to begin to transition to organic production and make conservation improvements up to 2 years before the contract expires.

With the strong support for organic agriculture in the Senate, we are thankful that this bill has passed out of committee and hope that it passes the Senate.

However, it is still a long road to the passage of the Farm Bill.

In May, 2018 the House of Representatives failed to pass their draft of the Farm Bill. While OFRF worked hard to build support for organic agriculture in the House, the bill only included a small increase in organic research funding, level funding for organic data collection, as well as language to increase organic trade oversight, but no funding for organic cost share.

If the House and Senate both pass different versions of the Farm Bill, the differences will be parsed out in conference committees and returned to the House and the Senate for final approval, before going to the President to be signed into law.

With the current Farm Bill set to expire on September 30, 2018 there is a lot riding on this process. As the Farm Bill continues, OFRF will keep advocating to ensure the voices and needs of organic farmers are heard, and that programs that support the success of the organics that are part of the Senate draft are included in the final Farm Bill.›

The Farm Bill is important for all Americans. We strongly encourage the members of the Congress to work toward a bipartisan solution that supports America’s farmers, consumers, and communities.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:33+00:00June 13th, 2018|News|

Farm Bill Draft Includes Much Needed Investment in Organic Research and Education

June 8, 2018 – We are extremely excited to share the news that the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill draft, released today, includes a much needed increased investment in organic research and education. The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), which was funded at $20 million annually in the last Farm Bill, has been increased to $40 million annually for the next two years and ramps up to $50 million annually by 2022.

Since its inception, OREI has developed a substantial body of research-based information to address the challenges faced by organic farmers and help all farmers be more sustainable. OFRF advocated for the creation of this incredibly successful programming 20 years ago, and has been diligently working for increased funding in the Farm Bill.

With increased funding, OREI can continue to lead the way in cutting-edge research, education, and extension for American farmers. Our report, “Taking Stock: Analyzing and Reporting Organic Research Investments, 2002-2014,” provides an in-depth assessment of its progress and recommendations for the future.

We applaud the hard work of Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Susan Collins (R-ME), the champions pushing for an increase for organic research; Senator Tammy Baldwin, who championed organic enforcement, and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and their staff, for working to ensure organic farmers and ranchers will have the research, tools, and programs necessary for success.

Some context
Over the last decade federal funding for organic agriculture research has remained roughly level, and not kept pace with the growth and opportunity that the organic sector has demonstrated. “With double digit growth in the demand for organic products, there is a need for scientific research, education programs, and extension resources to address the unique challenges of American farmers and ranchers looking to take advantage of the opportunities in organic agriculture” says Brise Tencer, Executive Director of OFRF. “We applaud the Senate Agriculture Committee for moving this historic investment in organic research forward.”

OFRF has also been working hard to advocate for other key programs that support the needs of organic agriculture. The Senate draft included a wide array of provisions for the organic sector. This includes robust enforcement and trade oversight in the Farm Bill draft, along with $11.5 million in annual funding for the organic certification cost share programs, $5 million for the organic data initiative, increased authorizations for the National Organic Program (NOP), and makes only a minor change to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), maintaining its integrity.

However, this is just the beginning…
It will be a long road from this initial text of the bill to passage of the Farm Bill. The Senate Agriculture Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing on the Farm Bill Wednesday, June 13^th. If passed out of committee, the bill will go to the floor of the Senate for discussion and a vote. With the House of Representatives failing to pass their draft of the Farm Bill, which included support for organic enforcement and data collection, a modest increase for organic research and no funding for organic certification cost share, we are hopeful that the Farm Bill can pass the Senate.

If the House and Senate both pass different versions of the Farm Bill, the differences will be parsed out in a conference committee, and if approved by both the House and the Senate, will go to the President to be signed into law.

We strongly encourage the members of the Congress to work toward a bipartisan solution that supports America’s farmers, consumers, communities. As the process continues OFRF will keep advocating to ensure the voices and needs of organic farmers are heard, and that programs that support the success of the organics are included in the Farm Bill.

Thanks to all the organic champions in the Senate for their hard work, the organic farmers and ranchers who spoke up about the need to support organic agriculture in the Farm Bill, and the businesses and organizations that worked hard to cultivate support for organic agriculture.

Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is a non-profit foundation that works to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. OFRF cultivates organic research, education, and federal policies that bring more farmers and acreage into organic production.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:33+00:00June 8th, 2018|Press Release|

Simple Gifts Farm

May 15, 2018 – We recently had the opportunity to talk with OFRF Board President Jeremy Barker Plotkin of Simple Gifts Farm in Amherst, Massachusetts. Jeremy and his team are stewards of the North Amherst Community Farm (NACF), community-owned land preserved in perpetuity for farming. They are working to ensure the land remains an organic community farm, a wildlife corridor, and a place for local residents to enjoy nature and walking trails. They run the farm as an ecological unit, integrating vegetable crops and livestock, and connecting the community with their food supply. They also run an apprenticeship program to train the next generation of organic farmers.

Have you always farmed organically? Why?

Right from the start. Moving towards more sustainable food production was the appeal. I don’t think I ever considered doing anything different. For me, farming is a way to embody my political ideals, do something positive, and provide a real tangible alternative.

How big is your farm?

It’s about 30 acres and we manage a neighboring farm that’s about 20 acres. We’re growing about 12 acres of vegetables. We’ve cut back from 18 to try to focus our efforts a little more, and we get as much out of 12 acres as we do out of 18 by taking better take of it.

What do you grow?

Quite a bit of lettuce, tomatoes, a fairly broad spectrum of seasonal vegetables, kale, chard. We have a whole pick-your-own garden that’s part of the CSA share that includes flowers, herbs, veggies, and about an acre and a half of strawberries.

We have about 250 laying hens, and pasture-raised eggs are available for most of the year. Pasture-raised pork and grassfed beef is always available for purchase by the cut.

Where do you sell your products?

We stopped going to farmers’ market after we opened our farm store last July. The store, CSA, and pick-your-own garden are all integrated now. People pick up their share at the store and the pick-your-own is part of the share.

I like the integrated experience. People participating in the CSA also get to spend time on the farm.

Especially during strawberry season, people love to bring their kids.

What do you you want people to know about why it’s important to support organic agriculture?

It’s just healthier. One of the objections I have to the way people talk about organic is that it’s all very focused on is it healthier? Is it free of pesticides? I think it’s also important to recognize the indirect benefits—knowing your water is cleaner and that there’s less chemicals in the environment because you’re buying organic food. Also, studies are finding that organic farming sequesters more carbon than non-organic farming and can be instrumental in reversing climate change.

What was your most valuable resource for information when you were a beginner farmer?

It was other farmers and that is still the case. I worked for other farmers before I started farming myself. I went to graduate school in Maine and visited a lot of farmers before I started farming myself.

I’m thinking about some of the next generation that want to farm organically or non-organic farmers that want to transition to organic that aren’t in areas where there are a lot of organic farmers. What do you think would be a good way to help?

We have an apprenticeship program that helps people that want to become organic farmers. Mentorship programs are great, especially for people transitioning to organic.

What is your most valuable resource now?

I get a lot of information from UMass Extension and the other Extension services in New England. Some of their expertise is exclusively organic focused and some of it is applicable to organic. There’s a lot of good information out there. Talking to other farmers, my neighbors, is still helpful. Actually, not going to farmers’ market has meant that I have less connection with other farmers. Part of what goes on at farmer’s market is talking to other farmers.

Switching gears a little bit, why do you think organic farming research is important?

Organic farming is a more knowledge- and science-based way of doing things. You need to understand the lifecycles of pests and the biological interactions. You need to know how soil works. There’s so much more you need to know to farm organically. Research focused on organic is much more valuable because the system is so different.

Organic farming, especially as it relates to certification, is about what you can’t do, what you can’t spray, what fertilizers you can’t use. When you take all of those things out of your toolbox, you have to use different tools. How do you control pests? There’s organic sprays out there but they don’t work as well. You get to a point where you need more knowledge in order to generate soil fertility without just getting it out of a bag.

Organic research can be good for any type of farmer, maybe some that are thinking about incorporating more sustainable practices. I think organic research benefits more than organic farmers.

Absolutely.

Do you have a story about how research helped you and your farm?

Right now, at the University of Massachusetts, they’re trying to figure out how to control cabbage aphids organically. This is a pest that has become a big problem with kale and all the fall brassicas. They’re doing some good work there figuring out how to deal with it.

I’ve done some research on my farm too. When we first started, I applied for SARE grants, which provided another source of income for me. We did two projects on disease resistance in tomatoes. Two seasons ago we were looking at different ways of fertilizing potatoes. There are growers who use a much more complicated intensive strategy that isn’t as focused on the macronutrients in the soil. It involves a lot of spraying of liquid nutrients and is supposed to maximize the health of your plants. While that way of fertilizing does work, we’ve achieved equivalent yields and disease pressure just by providing organic nitrogen based on our soil tests. This was a system I was interested in and had been playing around with—getting the SARE grant allowed me to look at it in a more rigorous way.

Do you think the demand for organic food will continue to grow?

Yes, it’s a consistent trend.

The organic label has come under attack in the media lately. Some people question whether the price differential is worth it, and whether products labeled organic are really following the organic guidelines. Also, with so many labels, things seem to be getting really confusing for consumers. What do think we need to do to preserve the integrity of the organic label?

Those issues have always been there. There may be a little more intensity right now, but they’ve always been there. As soon as we got under federal control it made the label subject to the political process and vulnerable to people messing with it. Organic is providing a minimum standard that says you can’t do certain things. There may be more, there may be further you can go, but that minimum standard means something to people. That’s why organic has been successful.

What do think of the movement to a regenerative certification?

I’m not 100 percent sure how it’s going to go. I can see the appeal of trying to put something forward that’s kind of more true to the original vision. I can also see the danger in fracturing and diluting the message a bit. I see how organic is the minimum standard and now people want to push it a little further. The thing I’m not sure about is it seems difficult to regulate, to come up with a unified standard for what regenerative agriculture means. That’s exactly why organic has come to mean what it has—you don’t use chemicals because that’s something you can take on in a regulatory way. You can’t take on biological soil fertility and crop rotations and all the kinds of positives of organic in a regulatory way. It’s not impossible, but I’m a little skeptical.

What are the top three reasons you think people should purchase organic whenever possible?

The environmental benefits, the soil carbon sequestration benefits, and the benefits to their personal health.

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By office|2020-03-26T18:56:51+00:00May 15th, 2018|Farmer Stories, News|

Ferd Hoefner Honored by James Beard Foundation

May 10, 2018 – OFRF is thrilled to share the news that Ferd Hoefner, Senior Strategic Advisor at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC), was honored with a 2018 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation. Ferd, a long-time member of OFRF’s Advisory Board, was recognized for his dedication to ensuring the voices of family farmers and the sustainable agriculture movement are heard on Capitol Hill.

“I am inspired by the commitment I see from so many dedicated sustainable farmers and ranchers all over the country to land stewardship and fighting climate change, as well as their passion for their rural communities and institutions,” says Hoefner. “Seeing the life that they lead and how that intersects with the work that I do on policy is what keeps me going.”

Congratulations Ferd!

Read the announcement

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00May 10th, 2018|News|

Observations from Spring NOSB Meeting

May 8, 2018 – At the end of April, the organic community descended on Tucson, Arizona for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) spring public meeting. These meetings allow organic stakeholders from across the sector to give input on the shape and direction of organics. OFRF’s Policy Associate attended to engage in discussions around organic research needs, as well as ensure that OFRF stays plugged in to the continuous development and discussions of organic policy.

The day before the official meeting, National Organic Coalition hosted their regular pre-NOSB meeting. This meeting is an in-depth round table discussion about a variety of issues facing the organic community, including the Farm Bill. With OFRF’s strong leadership on organic research issues in the Farm Bill, we were able to provide some concrete updates to the organic community on the state of organic research. Additionally, with a large number of farmers in attendance, OFRF provided information and guidebooks on USDA’s National Organic Certification Cost Share Program and Non-Insured Disaster Assistance Program. Overall, this was a great opportunity to showcase the variety of research and farmer-focused work that OFRF is doing.

The formal NOSB meeting provided an opportunity for the organic community to receive updates from USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP). Greg Ibach (the Undersecretary of USDA’s Marketing and Regulatory Programs) attended the meeting and participated in discussions on the state of the organic sector. Undersecretary Ibach discussed the importance of protecting the integrity of USDA organics and the organic seal. Associate Deputy Administrator Jenny Tucker provided an update on the activity of the NOP. The report focused largely on USDA’s efforts to respond to complaints and curb the import of fraudulent organic products.

In addition to hearing from the NOP, members of the NOSB also heard from two expert panels on the topic of enforcement and integrity. Following all of this input, NOSB discussed some immediate steps it can take to advise USDA on addressing fraud in organics, as well as taking additional actions to strengthen enforcement of the organic standards across the globe.NOSB will continue to develop proposals on organic integrity for discussion at future NOSB meetings.

This meeting also included a discussion on eliminating incentives to convert native ecosystems to organic farms. While there was broad support for the NOSB to stop incentives for conversion of native ecosystems to organic production, some concerns were raised about the impact it could have on small farmers expanding on their lands. NOSB members discussed the overall concern that the proposal addressed, and specific concerns raised by public commenters. At the end of the discussion, NOSB made minor changes and voted to pass the proposal.

Overall, it was a very productive meeting. The NOSB members, NOP staff, expert panelists, and public commenters were very engaged, thoughtful, and collegial. The NOSB process allows for robust discussion and engagement from across the organic sector, and OFRF is proud to contribute to the growth and advancement of organic agriculture.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00May 8th, 2018|News|

OFRF Announces First Research Grant of 2018

May 2, 2018 – OFRF’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce a research grant award to Edmund Frost of Common Wealth Seed Growers. The project will assess resistance to both Bacterial Wilt and Cucurbit Downy Mildew among selected cucumber and muskmelon seedstocks, continuing with the development of a pickling cucumber that is resistant to both diseases.

Frost has been producing certified organic vegetable seeds at Twin Oaks Seed Farm in Louisa, Virginia since 2008, and pursuing variety trials and breeding work since 2011. He leads Common Wealth Seed Growers, a cooperative effort of several Virginia seed growers to grow and sell seed varieties that perform well in the region. They aim to build the awareness and capacity necessary for improving organic seed systems in the Southeast.

Farmers throughout the Eastern U.S. cite Bacterial Wilt and Downy Mildew as key limiting disease issues for melon and cucumber production. This research project is a direct response to the need for new resistant varieties that have the potential to make management easier, decrease losses, and extend the harvest period.

Since its founding in 1990, OFRF has awarded 337 grants to organic researchers and farmers, investing over $3M. All OFRF-funded research must involve farmers or ranchers in project design and implementation, take place on certified organic land, and include strong education and outreach components. All research results are freely available in our online database at ofrf.org.

OFRF’s next Request for Proposals will be released in the fall of 2018 for 2019 projects.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00May 2nd, 2018|News|

Congressman Davis Visits Central Coast

February 23, 2019 – Congressman Jimmy Panetta brought a group of organic growers and researchers to his office in Salinas on February 22nd to discuss organic production on the Central Coast with Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL). Davis serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and is chair of the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research. The discussion focused on the needs of the industry going into the 2018 Farm Bill.

OFRF Executive Director Brise Tencer was invited to talk about the importance of organic research in helping farmers meet the growing demand for organic food. Other items on the table included ensuring the integrity of imports, maintaining a strong National Organic Standards Board (NOSB), and making sure conservation programs work for organic farmers.

Also in attendance: Jo Ann Baumgartner, Executive Director of the Wild Farm Alliance; Dale Coke, Coke Farm; David Mancera, Farm Business Advisor at Kitchen Table Advisors; Eric Brennan, USDA-ARS; and Tom Brose, Live Earth Farm.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00February 23rd, 2018|News|

OFRF Board Approves New President

February 22, 2018—Today, longtime board member and organic farmer Jeremy Barker Plotkin, was approved by unanimous vote to serve as OFRF’s Board President.

Jeremy has been a vegetable farmer for 19 years. After earning his M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences from the University of Maine, he founded Simple Gifts Farm at the New England Small Farm Institute in Belchertown in 1999. Over the next seven years, he grew the farm tenfold, from a half-acre to five. In 2006 he moved his operation to the 37.8-acre North Amherst Community Farm and brought Dave Tepfer in to join him.

The farm provides organic produce from community-preserved land to 250 shareholders. They have also started a new year-round farm store, open seven days a week. Beef cattle, pigs and laying hens take a prominent role on the farm in helping to cycle nutrients, as well as providing additional farm products.

Jeremy has won several USDA SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) grants for on-farm research projects. He works devotedly to manage the farm as an ecological system and still feels excited to witness how much his CSA members enjoy the farm’s wide variety of quality, organic produce.

“We feel very fortunate that Jeremy has taken on this commitment to OFRF,” said Brise Tencer, Executive Director of OFRF. “As both an organic farmer and researcher, Jeremy is well-poised to help lead our mission to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.”

“I’m proud to be a part of OFRF’s long history of pushing the ball forward on organic farming systems,” said Barker Plotkin. “Organic farming is the future of agriculture and OFRF has a strong role in promoting that advancement.”

Tencer added, “I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our outgoing Chair, Mary Fund of Amerugi Farm in Nemaha County, Kansas, and welcome our new Chair, Katrina Heinze. We are truly grateful for the commitment of all our board members—most of whom are organic farmers—and the vast knowledge and experience they bring to OFRF.”

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00February 22nd, 2018|Press Release|

Brise Tencer Interview in Organic Matters

February 21, 2018 – Organic Matters is a highly influential blog published by Melody Myer, a longtime leader in the organic industry. Melody currently serves as Vice President of Policy and Industry Relations for United Natural Foods (UNFI) and her career spans several decades in the organic and natural foods industry. Melody recently published an interview with OFRF’s Executive Director, Brise Tencer in which the two discuss the importance of research, education, and policy in advancing organic agriculture, in particular, OFRF’s work to increase investment for organic research in the upcoming farm bill.

Read the blog here.

By office|2020-01-08T18:14:34+00:00February 21st, 2018|News|

Soper Farms

February 15, 2018 – OFRF board member Harn Soper is part of a four-generation Iowa farming family based in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Soper Farms is a century farm, having been in the family for more than 100 years. The Soper family voted to transition the farms, which comprise about 800 acres, to organic, starting in 2010.

When I was eleven and working on my family farms in Emmetsburg, our license plate proudly stated “Iowa, A Place To Grow”. That has never been more true than today. What has changed for my family is how we farm, moving from conventional chemical-based farming to organic.

Today our organic crop rotations include corn, oats, soybeans, alfalfa and other small grains, all in support of feeding a hungry world. Each year our soil yields more information about our fields and as we learn, each year we adapt our rotations to support nature’s amazing ability to balance and produce. Little did I know back when I was eleven that farming could yield so much more.

Carbon Farming – Today, our organic farms also grow carbon in our soil by sequestering CO₂, drawing it out of the atmosphere and storing in the ground. Listening to ESA, Ecological Society of America, “Over the past 150 years, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere has increased 30%. Most scientists believe there is a direct relationship between increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and rising global temperatures”.

As reported in Science Magazine (in scientific detail), “The soil organic carbon (SOC) pool represents a dynamic equilibrium of gains and losses. Conversion of natural to chemical-based agricultural ecosystems causes depletion of the SOC pool by as much as 60% in soils …. mostly emitted into the atmosphere. Severe depletion of the SOC pool degrades soil quality, reduces biomass productivity, adversely impacts water quality, and the depletion may be exacerbated by projected global warming”.

Our organic farms follow the USDA organic standards as set forth by the National Organic Program (NOP) reversing the negative impact of chemical-based farming by increasing soil health, improving water quality while farming carbon back into the soil.

Energy Farming – In Iowa, we also grow energy, wind energy, that frees the world from a diminishing and polluting supply of fossil fuels. The power company MidAmerican Energy, recently announced that it has opened two huge wind farms in Iowa as reported by Climate Action, a UK-based non-profit. The two projects, called Beaver Creek and Prairie, total 169 turbines and have a combined capacity of 338 megawatts (MW), enough to meet the annual electricity needs of 140,000 homes in the state.

Climate Action goes on to report “Iowa is something of a hidden powerhouse in American wind energy. The technology provides an astonishing 36.6 percent of the state’s entire electricity generation, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). It also has the second largest amount of installed capacity in the nation at 6917MW; Texas is first with over 21,000MW. The wind farms form part of MidAmerican Energy’s major Wind XI project, which will see an extra 2,000MW of wind power built, and $3.6 billion invested, by the end of 2019. The company estimates it is the largest economic development project in Iowa’s history”.

Antibiotic Farming – As reported in The Scientist, dedicated to exploring life inspiring innovation, “Many of the most widely used antibiotics have come out of the dirt. Penicillin came from Penicillium, a fungus found in soil, and vancomycin came from a bacterium found in dirt. Now, researchers from Northeastern University and NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals and their colleagues have identified a new Gram-positive bacteria-targeting antibiotic from a soil sample collected in Maine that can kill species including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, the researchers have not yet found any bacteria that are resistant to the antibiotic, called teixobactin.”

For this new bacteria-targeting antibiotic to thrive and save lives, it requires healthy soil that is not contaminated by chemicals designed to kill plants and diminish the soil biome.

Every dollar we spend anywhere is tightly connected to agriculture. Because if it weren’t for a six-inch layer of healthy topsoil and the fact that it rains … we would have nothing. Iowa organic farming is indeed, “A Place To Grow”.

Funding organic research restores our environment, literally energizes our communities and saves lives. What better way to support yourself and your family than to support organic research, education, and advocacy.

Thank you for supporting OFRF.

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