Gordon’s Policy Corner
Gordon Merrick is OFRF’s Policy & Programs Manager. Here he shares periodic updates on what’s happening at the intersection of organic agriculture and policy.
Looking Back, Planning Ahead
As we move into 2025 we’re taking a look back at what happened with agricultural policy in 2024, and what it means for the year ahead. Discover what the legislative calendar has in store, what government funding caps means for organic farmers, and what you can do to insure that organic farming, research, and education is recognized and supported in Washington.
Agricultural Runoff: Organic Practices as a Method for Marine Conservation
This month, our Policy & Programs intern takes a deep dive into the intersection of agriculture and marine health, highlighting how agricultural runoff impacts our oceans and estuaries. As a Religious Studies major and Oceanography minor, Jazea's unique perspective bridges land and sea, offering insights into the consequences of conventional farming practices on marine ecosystems, and the solutions that organic systems offer.
A Landscape Shift: Opportunities and Challenges for Organic Agriculture Under a Trump Administration
What do this year’s election results mean for the Organic Farming Research Foundation and organic agriculture at large? With a Trump presidency and a solid, multi-seat Republican majority in the Senate, the USDA will likely be shaped and directed in line with the new administration’s vision.
First Frost and Federal Deadlines
Discover why the Farm Bill and federal appropriations processes are crucial for organic agriculture and climate resilience. Learn how pending deadlines could impact funding for vital agricultural research and conservation programs. Join us in advocating for increased investment in organic practices that benefit farmers, researchers, and communities alike.
From Classrooms to Congress
As Julie Nelson, former intern at OFRF, moves onto the next chapter, she reflects on her experience gaining experience with food and agricultural policy and advocacy work in the US, while building professional confidence during her internship.
Organic Practices and Systems on Non-Certified Land
Learn how organic principles can benefit both certified and conventional systems, improving soil health, biodiversity, and resilience against climate change. OFRF invites producers managing organically on non-certified land to share their experiences, helping to strengthen the case for increased organic research funding to find agricultural solutions that benefit all farmers.
The Impact of Agricultural Research on USDA Conservation Programs
Climate change threatens our food supply. Underfunding of agricultural research hinders efforts to protect our environment and support farmers, but organic agriculture can play a critical role in building resilience.
The Importance of Community and Collaboration in Organic Agriculture Research
Through a new Researcher & Extension Agent affinity group in the West/Southwestern region, OFRF is helping to foster community within the organic farming sector, creating an environment where everyone can thrive.
Updates and a Hard Look at Organic Agriculture Research in the 2024 Farm Bill
This month Gordon’s Policy Corner takes a hard look at the latest updates to the 2024 Farm Bill, the implications for organic farming research in particular, and how the Organic Farming Research Foundation is continuing to advocate for organics.
How Research Helps Farmers
In Gordon's Policy Corner this month, we look at how agricultural research transcends boundaries between conventional and organic farming, offering invaluable insights to enhance sustainability and profitability for all growers. From economic viability to ecological vitality, explore the synergistic benefits of organic management and the critical need for continued federal funding to support agricultural resilience.
Organic Research Funding
Recent developments in the Presidential Budget Request for fiscal year 2025 (PBR25) reveal a concerning decrease in funding specifically allocated for organic-dedicated competitive grant programs. In this blog, we look at the justifications given for these policy changes, and discuss the impacts that will follow if these changes are made and why the role of organic agriculture has never been more crucial.
Growing Together, one year with the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program
This month Gordon’s Policy Corner reflects on a year of achievements with the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program in the West/Southwest region (TOPP-W/SW, including toolkits for accessing farmer support funding, and other resources to empower farmers transitioning to organic practices.
Shaping Agriculture Policy for a Sustainable Future
In this month's Policy Corner, we share all of the work we’ve been up to this year and what we’re looking forward to in the continued process of advocating for organic agriculture.
Organic Advocacy in Action: Reflections on NSAC Lobby Day
By Annika LaFave, OFRF Policy and Communications Intern OFRF Policy & Communications Intern, Annika LaFave in front of the capitol after 8 official meetings during NSAC's annual lobby day, and a "meet and greet" coffee chat. Earlier this month, I had the exciting opportunity to participate in the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) Lobby Day with Gordon [...]
From Regulations to Legislation: Advocating for Organic Agriculture in 2024
2024 presents a challenging political landscape with pending appropriations, a new Farm Bill deadline, and a Presidential election fast approaching. OFRF chooses to view all these events as opportunities to advocate for increased public investments in organic agriculture research and to ensure that organic agriculture gets its fair share of USDA research funding.
Organic Agriculture Shines in the Face of 2023’s Challenges
2023 has been a year marked by environmental distress and political upheaval, but the organic sector emerged as a stronghold of resilience and progress. Amidst the disquieting headlines of the hottest recorded summer and unprecedented political twists, there are several organic milestones worth celebrating. This blog post focuses on those moments of light amid the darkness.
From Farm to Policy: Organic Agriculture and Public Health
This month’s policy corner is written by Annika La Fave, our 2023 Fall Policy & Communications Intern. It dives into the challenges faced by farmers at the intersections of policy, research, and public health within the organic farming landscape.
The Role of Long-Term Research in Sustainable Agriculture
Climate change has a significant impact on agriculture, particularly organic farming which is more dependent on natural systems. Long-term agroecological research is critical in understanding how different farming practices can build resilience against climate change.
Unpredictable Times in Agriculture and Policy
This month, Gordon’s Policy Corner looks at the parallels between the worlds of politics and agriculture, and their shared need for predictability and adherence to deadlines: Climate change disrupts farming with unpredictable weather patterns, and political unpredictability in Washington, D.C. affects legislative actions. The dynamics of climate instability and political gridlock are deeply interconnected. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, there is a powerful action we can all take to influence change: effectively communicating to legislators and policymakers how these issues impact our lives. The Communicating with Legislators workshops equip participants with insights into legislative processes and encourage active involvement in shaping the future of the agriculture sector during these uncertain times.
Gordon’s Policy Corner: Navigating September’s Shifts
As the seasons shift and government fiscal year deadlines loom, the world of organic farming faces a series of transitions, and uncertainty surrounding government funding and the Farm Bill. It is a critical time to continue to engage with policymakers, and to work collectively to support the growth of organic agriculture.
What August Recess means for Organic Ag Advocacy
This month's Policy Corner has a guest author, OFRF Policy and Communications Intern, Adam Bagul. As August Recess sweeps Senators and Representatives out of DC and back to their home districts, Adam explains what this means for constituents who can use this opportunity to speak with policy-makers and advocate for organics.
OSRI Act Introduced
Today, the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is happy to deliver to the leadership of Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry a letter in support of the Strengthening Organic Agriculture Research Act. OFRF and the undersigned believe this bill represents significant investments into answering research questions that organic producers continue to grapple with. “We are excited to be [...]
Organic Agriculture & Research in a Changing Climate
This year's extreme weather events have highlighted the immediate hazards of climate change. Despite the need for action, there is a lack of urgency in Washington, D.C. to address these issues. OFRF is advocating for bills in Congress and emphasizing the crucial role of agricultural research programs.
From Fields to Research Labs: how your story can inspire change
In Vermont, the first cutting of hay is being dried and bailed, ewes and their lambs are headed to pasture, and crops are getting in the ground. In DC, marker bills are being introduced and cosponsors corralled. Sometimes with policy work it’s a hurry up and wait game! During this small lull in updates from DC, we wanted to take this opportunity to devote this month’s Policy Corner to ask you, dear reader, a favor: Can you take a moment to share your story as a researcher or a farmer interacting with organic agriculture research?
