Fresh From the Fields
Organic farmers have amazing stories to tell. OFRF has been interviewing farmers to get a birds’ eye view of life on the farm.
Source: Makili Farm, Credit: John Vass
How One Kona Farm Made Federal Funding Work for Organic Agriculture
Makili Farm is a certified organic coffee and vanilla bean farm on Hawaiʻi Island, which also grows a variety of tropical fruits and vegetables. Farmer Kathy Vass shared the financial and knowledge-sharing benefits of her Conservation Stewardship Program contract for enhancing agroforestry and organic pest management on her farm.
Think Like a Certifier, Lean on a Mentor: Support and Resources for the Organic Certification Journey
Three farmers with over 80 years of collective experience and expertise in organic farming and certification share the resources and support you need in your organic certification journey.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Sanders Funny Farm
Sanders Funny Farm grows a diverse lineup of certified organic microgreens in a greenhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Farmer Tiffany Sanders is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to study which growing medium (jute mats or soil) is best for her microgreen varieties.
Source: April Joy Farm
Working with NRCS: April Joy Farm’s Story and Recommendations
April Joy Farm is a 24-acre certified-organic farm located in Ridgefield, Washington. This is a story of how a diversified organic crop and livestock farm is using NRCS programs to meet conservation goals – and what they’ve learned from this experience.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Perkins’ Good Earth Farm
Perkins' Good Earth Farm, a certified organic, diversified vegetable farm in De Motte, Indiana, utilizes no-till, permanent deep-compost beds. Farmer Dan Perkins is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to study the connection between plant nutrition and pest pressure.
Source: Mora Mora Farm
Conservation at Work: Cover Cropping through CSP at Mora Mora Farm
Catherine Nguyen is the owner and operator of Mora Mora Farm, a one and a half acre diversified vegetable farm in Troutdale, Oregon. To reduce soil compaction on her farm, Catherine worked with NRCS to enhance her cover cropping strategy through the CSP program.
Earth Day Spotlight: Organic Farming as Stewardship
In honor of Earth Day, we’re spotlighting four organic farmers from across the country who prioritize the health of the planet through land stewardship and working in partnership with natural systems.
Source: North Star Organics
Working with NRCS: North Star Organics’ Story and Recommendations
North Star Organics, owned and operated by Cheryl and Alan Kobernik, is a 40-acre certified-organic cherry farm located in Frankfort, Michigan. This is the story of how their organic cherry farm is using NRCS programs to meet conservation goals - and what they’ve learned from this experience.
Source: Mesta Meadows
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Mesta Meadows
Mesta Meadows, a family-owned ranch in the Ozark Highlands, prioritizes responsible land and animal stewardship. Farmer Ed Crowley is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with using forage species as a natural deworming agent for their lambs.
From Conventional to Certified: Transitioning to Organic in the Northwest
Three farmers with roots in conventional agriculture share their challenges and successes navigating the transition to certified organic production in the Northwest.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Passion Garden
Passion Garden, in Waco Texas, is a three-acre diversified farm, in the process of transitioning to organic certification. Farmer Kay Bell is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with farm-made soil amendments from mesquite bean pods to increase productivity of tomato varieties.
Organic Agriculture Research in Action: High Tunnels and Cover Cropping with Moore Family Farms
Moore Family Farms is a family-owned and operated farm located in Warsaw, North Carolina. Managed by Robert Moore and his son Dakota, this 260-acre farm was founded in 1833 based on principles of sustainability. Learn how they are meeting conservation goals - and what funding for organic research programs can do to support family farms.
Organic Agriculture Research in Action: Navigating Urban Farming with Little Lighthouse Farm
Learn how Little Lighthouse Farm, a small-scale certified organic urban farm, is meeting conservation goals - and what funding for organic research programs can do to support urban producers.
Three Springs Farm: Small-scale Farming Rooted in Organic Principles
At Three Springs Farm in eastern Oklahoma, farmers Mike Appel and Emily Oakley grow over over forty different organic crops and more than 150 individual varieties on three acres of land, showcasing the economic viability of small-scale farming.
Lessons from the Plains on the Transition to Organic
Organic farmers face unique challenges in every part of the country. In this article, we look at challenges faced by organic farmers in the Great Lakes, and dive into resources available on the Organic Research Hub that could help farmers address them.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center
Oxbow Farm and Education Center, in the Snoqualmie Valley of Washington, is a nonprofit focused on trialing climate adaptive and resilient agricultural practices. Farm manager, Anthony Reyes, is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with seeding rates of cover crop for biomass and nutrient content.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: The Woven Trifecta
The Woven Trifecta, located in Western Michigan, focuses on diversified vegetables for a CSA, local farmers market, as well as farm to school sales throughout the school year. Farmer Samantha Otto, is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with using anaerobic fermentation as a soil amendment to improve crop vigor and yield.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Parker Farms
Parker Farms, located in Warren, Ohio, is a small farm with a big heart, serving their community fresh, locally grown produce and promoting sustainable, urban agriculture. Farmer Markisha Parker, is in the second year of transitioning the farm to certified organic, and is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with a variety of mulches to help manage moisture on her organic tomatoes.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Ledoux Grange
Ledoux Grange, in Mora, New Mexico, is an organic certified, 34-acre operation that grows regenerative organic grains, pulses, legumes, and cover crops. Farmer Kristin Swoszowski-Tran is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to see if she can identify a lodging-resistant variety of the ancient grain, teff that can stand up to their high winds.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Farmacea
In the heart of Munith, Michigan, Farmacea is undertaking an exciting experiment to help enhance their farm systems and design. Farmers Mike Lucas and Rollin Baker are participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program to answer the question "does a living clover mulch produce higher strawberry yields than a plastic mulch?".
Real Talk on EQIP: One Organic Farm’s Journey Through Federal Funding
(Versión en español a continuación) Three Feathers Farm is a small, BIPOC-led organic farm located on four-and-a-half acres in Morgan Hill, California, a mere twenty minutes south of San Jose. Their story offers a transparent look at what it’s really like to work with NRCS: the benefits, the obstacles, and the lessons they’ve learned.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Kennebec Valley Farm
Up on a ridge in rural Maine, Jennifer Barrientos runs Kennebec Valley Farm. She is certified organic and uses no till and biodynamic methods to grow her produce. Jennifer is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program to answer the question With technical support from OFRF, Jennifer built out her trial, asking “Will purchased soil amendments result in higher yield and soil health when compared to farm made compost in brassica crops”?
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Trouvaille Farm
Lindsay Klaunig runs Trouvaille Farm in southeastern Ohio, raising grass-fed beef and goats, heirloom crops, and fruit trees. As a seed grower, Lindsay is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program to answer the question "Will using shade cloth improve fruit set in pepper plants grown for seed?" And if so, will that lead to early mature harvest and overall higher yields?
Planting for Resilience
Farmer and OFRF Board President, April Thatcher discusses the critical role that cover crops play in building soil health and resiliency in a farm ecosystem. Discover the lessons she's learned from years of cover cropping, and the new cover cropping resources that OFRF has available for farmers.
