Monthly archive

Faith Grant's picture

Major Bummer!

Faith Grant | Oct. 2nd - 12:00pm

The 2008 Farm Bill has officially expired.  Dozens of innovative programs for organic farmers that put healthy, organic food on our tables are in political limbo until Congress returns in November.  That’s a long way off for those of us who fought so hard to build the infrastructure of organic.  We can’t let the organic gains made get lost in the political shuffle after the election.  While some in Washington are saying the impact will be negligible in the near term, organic farmers and members of Congress from agricultural states and districts know better.

emerginC and OFRF partner for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

OFRF is proud to be a part of emerginC 2012 Breast Cancer Awareness Month campaign.
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, emerginC will donate to OFRF 20% of proceeds from the sale of the product below from the Scientific Organics line.  Click here for more info.

Faith Grant's picture

Frankenstorm Is Still Building in DC

Faith Grant | Oct. 30th - 12:00pm
The Capitol has survived Frankenstorm.  Sadly, New York City and other parts of the eastern seaboard didn’t fare as well.  Flooding, fires, fallen bridges, millions without power--it’s the kind of doomsday backdrop that you expect to see in a Halloween horror flick, not on the front pages of The New York Times.

Udi Lazimy's picture

It's Spooky Not Knowing What's In Our Food

Udi Lazimy | Oct. 31st - 12:00pm
For many, Halloween is about embracing our more secretive sides and seeing what lurks among the shadows. The one thing I don’t want veiled in mystery, however, is the content of my food. OFRF believes that we have a right to know what’s in our food. Giant agri-corporations, on the other hand, want to keep us all in the dark about whether the food they produce contains ingredients that have been genetically modified. That’s why they are spending tens of millions of dollars to oppose California’s Proposition 37, which would require not only that foods containing GMOs be labeled, but that any such products would no longer be allowed to be labeled as “natural”. 

Karen Adler's picture

From the Ground Up: What Does It Mean to be Certified Organic?

Karen Adler | Oct. 24th - 12:00pm

This is the first of a three part series. 

The Spirit of Organic

At the heart of organic certification is what many farmers, researchers, and advocates call the “spirit of organic.”  This spirit is described by the USDA National Organic Program, which defines organic agriculture as a production  system that is managed to respond to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity.
 
So, what does it mean to be certified organic? At its essence, it means that when farmers and ranchers grow food and fiber products in accordance with the organic rules and principles, they become stewards of our soil, our water, and the very lives of the myriad plant and animal species on our planet. 

Faith Grant's picture

More Organic Data = More $ Funding = Healthier Economy!

Faith Grant | Oct. 23rd - 12:00pm
This week, I discussed the needs / challenges of organic farmers with one of the administrators of the Farm Service Agency (FSA).  A paramount need of organic farmers, both big and small, beginning and established, is access to loans to sustain and expand their operations.  FSA is the primary government agency tasked with making these loans available to farmers.  The challenge is getting an accurate financial picture of an organic farm as the basis to calculate loans.  This requires good price data, and that’s harder to compile for organic farms because their operations are typically more diverse.  

Udi Lazimy's picture

Celebrating Good Food and Supporting Organic Farmers

Udi Lazimy | Oct. 24th - 12:00pm
As people all over the U.S. gather to celebrate good food, we here at OFRF are excited about a great opportunity to get YOU engaged in calling for reforms at the federal level in support of organic farmers.
 
Its OFRF’s 2012 Farm Bill NOW petition! SIGN IT NOW and show your support for organic farmers, economic development, conservation, and all the other wonderful benefits of organic.  

Udi Lazimy's picture

Farm Bill A Campaign Vice

Udi Lazimy | Oct. 10th - 4:47pm

According to the Capital Press, “As the presidential campaign enters its final month, nowhere have the two major candidates’ differences in their approach to government been more apparent than in agriculture policy.”  Whether or not you agree with that statement, it is true that agriculture policy is being used on the campaign trail to highlight our currently troubled state of affairs. Indeed, with Congress failing to pass a 2012 Farm Bill before the expiration of the 2008 five-year bill on Sept.30, a whole lot of farmers are calling for change, and candidates are listening.

Faith Grant's picture

The Risky Business of Growing Healthy Food

Faith Grant | Oct. 9th - 12:00pm

This year’s Organic Production Survey is out.  While it is less comprehensive, it does shed light on an important issue that’s overlooked in this Farm Bill cycle:  the need for improved crop insurance options for organic farmers.  Under the current system, organic farmers pay a 5% premium surcharge for crop insurance, but they are reimbursed at 'conventional' rates.  This  means that they pay more to get less.  This provides little incentive for an organic farmer to insure their crops against common risks like drought, insect damage, and weeds. 

Maureen Wilmot in Ohio articulating a very bright future for organic production

Maureen Wilmot will join Ohio State University’s Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER) autumn symposium, “Future Directions for Organic Agriculture Research.”  The Nov. 1st  symposium is a summit for stakeholders, including farmers, researchers and policymakers, to discuss the future of organic farming and how we can anticipate research and education needs to help producers and processors be successful.  Click here for more information about the event.