News

Written by guest author Dr. Dilip Panthee, Associate Professor, Tomato Breeding and Genetics, Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University

Dr. Dilip Panthee

I recently joined the Organic Farming Research Foundation’s team— Gordon Merrick, Policy & Programs Director; Vinnie Trometter, Policy Fellow; and Rebecca Champagne, Conservation Scientist—for a meaningful conversation with staff from Senator Thom Tillis’s and Senator Tedd Budd’s offices. Together, we discussed why the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) is vital for organic tomato growers like those I serve through my research on breeding organic tomatoes to resist new and emerging diseases.

As a tomato breeder at North Carolina State University, I’m focused on helping farmers grow better tomatoes even in the face of rising disease pressure and climate stress. Specifically, I work to develop tomato varieties that are resistant to bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases, while also improving fruit quality and increasing yield. Organic growers face significant risks from common, potentially devastating diseases such as late blight, bacterial spot, early blight, and Septoria leaf spot. These diseases are becoming more prevalent in organic tomatoes grown in the mountains and Piedmont regions of North Carolina, where rising temperature and humidity levels contribute to the problem. Similar trends are also occurring in other mountainous and hilly geographies across the Eastern Seaboard and across the country. Our work seeks to ensure the profitability of organic tomato growers in North Carolina and throughout the United States by developing varieties that are resistant to these emerging diseases. 

To do this, I use both conventional and molecular breeding methods to introduce target resistance genes into existing tomato lines. Our program develops and tests these technologies in-house, collaborating closely with organic growers across the state. In other words, we evaluate new varieties under both research station and on-farm conditions to ensure consistent performance. This dual approach enhances our confidence in the varieties we release. 

To date, we have successfully combined resistance to multiple diseases in several tomato hybrids, including resistance to late blight, early blight, Tomato mosaic virus, Tomato spotted wilt virus, and Fusarium wilt. While this progress is significant, we continue working to incorporate resistance to other critical diseases, such as bacterial spot and Septoria leaf spot. With continued support, we can expand these efforts further.

But developing better varieties is only part of the equation—we also need to make sure growers know about them. Our close collaboration with extension specialists is vital for disseminating our findings through various channels, informing growers and stakeholders about new developments in our research. Getting this information out to the fields is critical for increasing U.S. tomato production. Organic tomato production in the U.S. has declined in recent years, even as demand and consumption continue to grow. To meet this demand and make production more cost-effective, we need improved varieties with high yield potential and strong disease resistance. Our varieties are well-suited to both conventional and organic farming systems, but are particularly critical in organic systems—where the traditional use of pesticides is restricted.

I ultimately chose the Organic Transitions Program because it naturally aligned with my long-standing interest and work in organic tomato breeding. When the funding opportunity arose, it fit perfectly with my research goals and experience, making it an ideal platform to advance this work.

Our meetings with Senator Tillis’s and Senator Budd’s staff went very well. Both senators’ staff were attentive and interested in how my research impacts the region’s economy. I’m grateful for their time and hope they will support organic agriculture research. To remain competitive, the U.S. organic industry must address disease resistance breeding and improve crop quality. I’m optimistic they will champion this cause.

We can’t afford to stay silent. When researchers speak directly with legislators, they see federal programs in action. Legislators play a key role in shaping policies that directly affect agricultural research. As researchers, we cannot assume they are fully aware of our work and its impacts on local, regional, and national economies. Their support is essential for allowing us to advance work that benefits tomato growers nationwide. Regular engagement with lawmakers helps them understand the value of our research and how it contributes to the competitiveness and sustainability of the U.S. organic industry. I am eager to share my next research publication with these legislators to ensure they’re aware of the cutting-edge research happening in the state they represent. 

Use Your Voice

Interested in sharing your research with legislators and highlighting the importance of ongoing public investment in organic research? Enroll in OFRF’s self-paced email course, Communicating with Legislators. This free workshop gives researchers and advocates in the organic farming community the tools to confidently connect with lawmakers and make your work count where decisions are made.

By Elizabeth Tobey

There’s a reason why farmers are always talking about the weather–it affects everything they do. It doesn’t matter if they’re on hundreds of acres or a fraction-of-an-acre plot, farmers are deeply tuned in to the weather patterns in their region and how they affect their land and their crops.

Over the years, OFRF has spoken to dozens, if not hundreds, of farmers, and a noticeable increase in extreme weather events often come up in conversation. Whether it’s droughts and wildfires in the West, too much water swamping farmers in the South, increasing winds across the Midwest, or frost dates coming earlier or later than expected, nowhere is immune to the impacts of climate change.

However, organic production systems also offer a suite of tools to literally help farmers “weather the storms” of climate change. In the 2022 National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) report, nearly 80% of transitioning growers cited “greater resilience to climate change through organic practices” as a motivating factor to certify organic.

At OFRF, we recognize that organic is a climate solution. Regenerative organic farming is a proactive approach to climate resilience, reducing reliance on synthetic inputs while enhancing soil health, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity. Organic practices focus on using natural soil amendments like compost, manures, and animal byproducts, and preventative approaches to pests and disease such as selecting regionally-adapted and pest-resistant cultivars. These holistic farming systems improve water retention, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help farmers adapt to unpredictable weather conditions.

To better understand the challenges farmers are facing, and the solutions that organic agriculture offers, we’ve put together a collection of a few articles that highlight how organic farmers are both impacted by and well-poised to address climate change:

Farmers on the Frontlines: Climate Change and the Farm Bill

This article explores the “triple threat” facing farmers in the form of climate change, species loss, and food system industrialization. Featuring the personal experiences of several farmers, it also examines the potential opportunities for innovation and resilience that organic agriculture provides. It illustrates how policy decisions can promote (or hinder) the potential for a just transition to a climate-friendly and resilient agricultural production system. Read more.

Climate Impacts on a Small-Scale Farm

A personal account from former OFRF staff member and farmer Caroline Baptist, this article highlights the devastation and heartbreak that farmers experience in the wake of climate change-induced disasters. It also highlights the resilience and perseverance it takes to keep going and how Caroline finds hope in the soil. Read more.

Organic Farmers Lead the Way Toward Climate-Smart Agriculture

In Kentucky, farmer Bryce Bauman has shifted away from plastic mulch, choosing instead to focus on other, more climate-friendly strategies for weed mitigation. Working with the Organic Association of Kentucky (OAK), he is also conducting a thorough investigation into his farming systems and looking for ways he can implement more climate-smart practices. Read more.

>> Bonus Read: We’ve reshared the following three articles from our partners at the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) because they so squarely hit the nail on the head for the importance of organic agriculture in navigating the climate chaos we are in:

• Regional and Long-term Agricultural Research Build Climate Resilience
• Combating the Climate Crisis through Conservation
• Agriculture’s Role in Addressing Climate Change

As NSAC says in that last piece, it is vital that we “recognize the capacity of organic farming and ranching systems to build agricultural resilience to extreme weather events and make a significant contribution to carbon sequestration and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions arising from agricultural production.” At OFRF, we are committed to advocating for the research funding and policy priorities that farmers need in order to care for the planet and feed their communities.

Are you a farmer navigating the impacts of climate change? We’d love to hear your story—your insights help inform the resources and advocacy we provide. Fill out this form and our team will be in touch shortly.

And, be sure to join our newsletter to stay in touch and receive updates about organic research, education, and advocacy.

Written by Rebecca Champagne, PhD, OFRF Conservation Scientist

Each year, as part of our Cooperative Agreement with the USDA National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) publishes a research summary and holds webinars on various organic topics to help build institutional knowledge of NRCS staff and equip them to better support the unique needs of organic and transitioning-to-organic farmers across the country. We recently published a new annual summary on the latest organic research and led an accompanying webinar for NRCS staff.

Annual Research Summaries from OFRF

These annual research summaries provide a look at the latest organic agriculture research across a variety of topics, meant to provide NRCS staff, organic farmers, and other interested parties with in-depth educational information on the conservation benefits of organic management. These summaries provide both brief research highlights and comprehensive summaries for each topic. Our 2025 summary covered research pertaining to organic pest management, fertilizers and soil amendments, soil organic carbon, diversified cropping systems, production of organic vegetable transplants, and nitrous oxide mitigation. You can check out both our 2025 and 2024 research summaries on our website!

Organic Research Updates: Pest Management, Diversified Cropping Systems, and Soil Organic Carbon

Rebecca Champagne, OFRF’s Conservation Scientist, and Mark Schonbeck, OFRF Research Associate, led a webinar for NRCS to accompany the research summary. Held on June 17, the webinar dove into select topics from the research summary including organic pest management, diversified cropping systems, vegetable transplants, and soil organic carbon. The webinar provided detailed scientific information in these areas and gave insight into peer-reviewed research treatments and results.The webinar concluded with a Q+A session so participants could ask follow up questions and get clarification on the topics discussed. Questions that were fielded from participants related to the effects of anaerobic soil disinfestation on microbial communities, economic comparisons of mulch systems, and the benefits of hedgerows.

Interested in viewing this webinar? A recording is now available online through Conservation Webinars!

Upcoming Organic Farming Webinars with NRCS

OFRF will be hosting three webinars each year over the next four years, covering various topics related to organic farming. Webinar participants also have the chance to test what they learn and earn Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units (CEU) credits by answering quiz questions at the end of each webinar. By identifying and summarizing the latest peer-reviewed research and highlighting real-world farm examples, we aim to help NRCS staff and Technical Service Providers better understand organic production requirements, challenges, and what successful conservation practice implementation on organic operations can look like.

. . .

To learn more about our Cooperative Agreement with NRCS, contact Rebecca Champagne at rebecca@ofrf.org. 

To stay up-to-date with the latest organic farming news, research updates, and opportunities for advocacy, sign-up to receive the OFRF newsletter at https://ofrf.org/get-involved/receive-news/!

Written by Katrina Heinze, OFRF Board Member from 2014-2023

A planned gift is a gift to the future. I support organic farming and OFRF because I care about the future health of our planet and its people. A planned gift to OFRF is a tangible way for me to pay it forward.

My mom fed me organic milk before “organic” was even a label. I grew up cooking and connecting with people through food. Later in my career, these interests led me to work in organic foods and organic policy. What a gift! Through my work, I learned about the care, hard work, and amazing knowledge that organic farmers bring to growing our food, as well as the challenges that make farming organically and bringing a farm’s goods to market difficult. 

In 2014, I joined OFRF’s board. Our farmer board members and farmer listening sessions taught me that organic farmers are experimenters and that we still have much to learn about the best production practices to nurture our environment, deal with and address the impacts of climate change, and provide healthy food for all—all while ensuring sustainable economics for farmers and farming communities.

OFRF’s mission is to foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems. I love OFRF’s farmer-centered, science-based approach. Our work is long-term and requires long-term funding. For example, OFRF publishes the National Organic Research Agenda (NORA) every 5-6 years. The NORA Report is used to ask for Congressional funding for organic research, influence USDA’s grant funding, and help those of us in the organic food industry rally to support our farmers’ most important production (and non-production) needs. All of this contributes to new knowledge and support for organic farmers.

My husband and I have included OFRF in our will in addition to our regular OFRF donations. We did this to model our values for our family, demonstrate how we align our resources to those values, and be clear about the legacy we want to leave behind.

Estate planning can be easy to put off or avoid. However, we found that having conversations with our family about our wishes enriched our relationships. By discussing what mattered most to us and how we could best use our resources now and in the future, we’ve become better stewards of our resources today. We are glad we did this now instead of waiting or missing the opportunity altogether.

Planned giving can take place during your lifetime or at death, and it is a crucial part of your overall financial and estate plan. Typically larger than donations from ordinary income, planned gifts can provide income, financial security, and tax savings to you and your family, depending on how they are structured. In our case, our planned gift includes a multi-year commitment to OFRF now and a designation of a percentage of any remaining estate at our deaths.  

Planned giving is crucial for non-profits like OFRF, who depend largely on annual giving to “keep the lights on.” Although OFRF receives grants for key program initiatives, these grants don’t often pay for staff development, accounting, and the time-consuming work of helping policymakers understand the needs of farmers. Planned gifts build year-to-year stability for now and create a “savings account” for later.

I have seen the impact of planned gifts on OFRF. When I was on the Board of Directors, we received a planned gift. This single donation enabled us to hire a paid intern to support our research program. It also demonstrated to a future grant maker the value of our work, which has now resulted in a multi-year grant. Better still, the donor was unknown to us, and learning about why OFRF was important to them brought us joy and a renewed commitment to our mission.

A planned gift does not have to be complicated. Including OFRF as a beneficiary in your will or naming OFRF as a full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account is a simple way to make a planned gift. Consulting with your financial and legal advisors can help you determine what is best for your situation and values. Once you have put a gift plan in place, let the beneficiary non-profit know. They will benefit from understanding what motivated you, and you will get to enjoy the impact of your thoughtful gift.

Together, let’s ensure the widespread adoption of organic farming practices. Our earth and farming communities depend on it. Please join me in planting a seed for the future by making a planned gift to OFRF today.

Sincerely,

Katrina

Written by Vinnie Trometter

When people think of organic food these days, they might picture a well-stocked grocery store, a local farmers’ market, or their favorite organic snack. What most people don’t picture? A day of meetings on Capitol Hill.

But that’s precisely where you’ll find us.

With the future of agricultural policy in flux and renewed attention on domestic food security, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices, it’s more important than ever that organic farmers—and the science that supports them—have a seat at the table.

OFRF has been working hard to increase our presence in Washington, D.C., to make sure organic farmers have a voice in the decisions shaping agriculture policy. And what’s been especially encouraging lately is this: organic farming is something both sides of the aisle can get behind.

As OFRF’s point person in D.C., I spend my days walking the halls of Congress, meeting with lawmakers and their staff, and talking about the value of organic farming research. We work closely with coalition partners and farmer representatives to ensure organic perspectives are heard and reflected in policy decisions. What’s striking is that whether I’m in a Democrat’s office or a Republican’s, the conversations almost always land in the same place: organic farming research matters.

With some offices, the conversation might start with a concern about the trade deficit, increasing domestic food production, or improving public health. For others, conversation may focus on sustainability, conservation, and environmental health. But in the end, the key point is the same—investing in organic research benefits farmers in all parts of the country.

Left to right: Rep. Nunn (IA-3, R), Alice Runde (NOC), Gordon Merrick (OFRF Sr. Policy & Programs Manager), Vinnie Trometter (OFRF Policy Fellow) during the 2025 NOC Fly-In

I usually begin with a simple fact: the USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) has said that innovation and technology are the main contributors to economic growth in U.S. agriculture. Then, I connect the dots. For example, investing in organic research helps reduce the organic trade deficit, supports American farmers, and ensures consumers get access to food that’s both nutritious and responsibly grown.

From there, we talk specifics. At OFRF, we’re focused on a handful of key programs in this year’s federal budget:

• The Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI)
• The Organic Transitions Program (ORG)
• The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program
• The Organic Data Initiative (ODI)

We shape our advocacy based on what farmers tell us they need—through direct conversations, guidance from our Organic Stewardship Council, and insights from thousands of survey responses in the National Organic Research Agenda (NORA).

Each one plays a unique role in boosting productivity, supporting farmer-led innovation, and helping small and mid-sized organic producers thrive. And when we show congressional offices how these programs are already helping researchers and farmers in their own states? That’s when the conversation really clicks.

We’ve found that staying rooted in the facts builds trust. We keep our messaging focused on economic impact, real-world results, and the growing demand for organic food, which now tops $71 billion annually. That resonates whether someone’s priority is market competitiveness or environmental stewardship.

And yes, we’re hearing the concerns about tight budgets. But we also hear this: “These are small investments with big returns.”

The truth is, organic agriculture doesn’t belong to one political party. It’s about innovation, health, economic opportunity, and smart stewardship of our land. And that’s something everyone can get behind.

As OFRF continues to expand our presence in D.C., we’re proud to be a bridge between science, policy, and the people who grow our food. We know this work matters—and we’re grateful to be carrying it forward, one conversation at a time.

From DC, 

Vinnie

Written by Brian Geier

In the sixth Seeds of Success: Farmer to Farmer Networking Session, held on March 5, 2025, nearly 40 participants gathered virtually to share their thoughts and firsthand experiences using and producing organic seed. The session was co-hosted by the National Organic Coalition (NOC), Organic Seed Alliance (OSA), Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), Organic Farmers Association (OFA), and the Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association (OEFFA). Like all Seeds of Success sessions, this was a facilitated, farmer-to-farmer conversation designed to support farmer-driven solutions, information sharing, and the identification of areas for future research and support.

Understanding the Organic Seed Requirement

The USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) requires the use of organic seed unless the seeds farmers need, including equivalent varieties, aren’t commercially available, per the Seeds and planting stock planting standard (7 CFR 205.204).

The purpose of the current organic seed exemption is to provide a transition time for the seed industry to catch up to demand and to allow organic growers to find suitable varieties to transition to, with the goal of eventually achieving 100 percent organic seed sourcing. The allowance for non-organic seed is important for growers who lack access to appropriate organic seed for their operations. While it is no one’s intention to force organic growers to use organic seed that may not be optimal for their operations, continuous improvement in organic seed sourcing is essential to incentivizing growth in the organic seed supply and strengthening organic integrity. 

The dialogue from participants in this networking session is summarized below and will help guide advocacy for balanced solutions that strengthen organic integrity and the seed supply.

The State of Organic Seed report from the Organic Seed Alliance provides insights on organic seed usage and an action plan to increase organic seed supply while fostering decentralized organic seed grower networks.

Key Insights from the Listening Session

Seed Grower and Researcher Perspectives 

• Organic seed availability: Availability varies by crop and scale. Small-scale farmers can often source organic seeds, but large-scale operations struggle, especially for grains, cover crops, and certain vegetables.
• Challenges in organic seed supply: Limited year-round availability, lack of regionally adapted varieties, and difficulties in securing non-proprietary and open-pollinated (OP) seeds.
• Improving NOP seed regulations: Calls for 100% organic seed requirements, incentives for seed stewardship, cost reductions for certification, and stricter enforcement of organic seed sourcing.
• Handlers & certifiers’ role: Processors often dictate seed choices, limiting organic adoption. NOP could regulate processor demands and improve certifier tools for verifying organic seed availability.
• Organic seed database: A centralized database could help track seed availability and genetics, but concerns exist over maintenance, participation, and potential large-scale buyouts by industrial players.

A Delicata squash seed crop cures in bins at White Oak Farm and Education Center, Oregon.

Producer Insights 

• Organic seed value: Many farmers see organic seed as important for soil health, resilience, and expanding organic acreage. However, cost and availability remain major concerns.
• Barriers to organic seed use: High costs, limited availability, and documentation challenges make it difficult for some farmers to use exclusively organic seed.
• Recordkeeping & compliance: Some producers find documentation burdensome, while others see it as manageable or even beneficial for farm planning.
• Suggestions for NOP: Farmers suggest stricter organic seed regulations, incentives for seed saving, and better coordination with seed breeders to address regional challenges.
• Seed breeding needs: More transparency, regional adaptability, and climate-resilient varieties are key priorities for growers. Many emphasize the importance of seed saving and collaboration.

Voices from Technical Service Providers, Policymakers, and Educators

• Organic seed challenges: Farmers struggle with sourcing organic seed due to cost, limited availability, and contract restrictions. Wholesalers often don’t prioritize organic-specific varieties.
• Mentorship & seed production: Limited mentorship opportunities for organic seed growers. Some interest exists, but infrastructure and certification barriers remain.
• Certifier & inspector role: Inspectors find it difficult to enforce commercial availability rules and assess variety choices. A shift to acreage-based benchmarks for organic seed use may be more feasible.
• Database for organic seed: Need for a centralized, up-to-date seed availability database, but challenges exist in funding, maintenance, and neutrality. Potential for regional databases or collaboration with certifiers.
• NOP & seed policy: Calls for stronger organic seed regulations, incentives for growers, and addressing handler influence on seed selection.

Looking Ahead

We are incredibly grateful to our co-hosts for this session — NOC, OSA, OFA, and OEFFA — whose collaboration, recruitment, and facilitation support made the conversation possible.

We are looking forward to disseminating these findings with the National Organic Standards Board, the National Organic Program, and the entirety of the organic seed industry spectrum (from growers, to seed breeders, retailers, and researchers). Based on the interest of participants and registrants, we are looking at hosting similar iterations of the conversation, making space for more voices and perspectives.

For another perspective and complementary summary, we recommend reading this recap of the listening session from the National Organic Coalition, which includes additional context and reflections.

About the Seeds of Success Series

OFRF has partnered with the Organic Farmers Association (OFA) and National Organic Coalition (NOC) to lead a series of virtual farmer-to-farmer networking sessions. These facilitated events will be engaging opportunities for farmers to share their challenges and successes, and will be accompanied with relevant resources you can use.

To learn more about these and other events from OFRF visit: https://ofrf.org/events/

Funding for this series is provided by a cooperative agreement between OFRF and USDA- NIFA to highlight research investments made through both OREI and ORG grant programs.

Learn more about the Organic Agriculture program at USDA-NIFA at:  https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/organic-agriculture-program