OFRF’s new Policy Fellow addresses the elephant in the room–tariffs. How will new tariffs impact organic agriculture and farmers' livelihoods? What does research have to do with it? And what can we do about it? Read more.

The USDA funding freeze is leaving farmers in limbo. Learn how you can take action right now to help protect farmers from the damaging effects of the federal funding freeze and government layoffs.

A massive wave of federal firings has terminated employment for critical agricultural departments. Learn more about the dire impacts of these cuts, the short and long term consequences on agronomic and economic research, why it matters, and how you can take action at this critical time.

At OFRF, we believe that strategic, science-based policies can unlock the full potential of organic farming. Our new Policy Priorities align research investments with market opportunities, enhance technical and financial assistance for organic farmers and farmworkers, and strengthen the incentive structures that reward sustainable stewardship of our natural, social, and economic resources.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.