Recent Report Recommends Organic Policy Improvements
The Swette Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Arizona State University recently published The Critical To-Do List for Organic Agriculture, which features 46 recommendations that would improve the state of organic agriculture in the United States. OFRF Executive Director, Brise Tencer, and consultants Mark Schonbeck and Ferd Hoefner, were acknowledged for their advice and support in helping formulate the 46 recommendations. While policy-based improvements can be time consuming, the majority of recommendations in the report could be accomplished administratively by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), meaning the USDA [...]
OFRF Now Accepting Letters of Intent for 2021 Research Grants
July 13, 2021—OFRF is excited to announce that we are now accepting Letters of Intent (LOI) for our research grant program. This grant cycle, in addition to continuing our support for farmer-led research, OFRF is prioritizing applications from early career researchers and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We believe it is critical to foster the next generation of researchers and support historically underserved and marginalized communities, while also ensuring all farmers have the most up-to-date and science-based information. OFRF is reserving half of our grants for BIPOC applicants. [...]
Biden Administration and Implications for Organic
By Ferd Hoefner, OFRF policy advisor Right after taking office, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis. Among many other things, the Order directed USDA to collect stakeholder input regarding climate change mitigation and resilience within the agricultural and forestry sectors. Specifically, the Order asked USDA to “collect input from Tribes, farmers, ranchers, forest owners, conservation groups, firefighters, and other stakeholders on how to best use Department of Agriculture programs, funding and financing capacities, and other authorities, and how to encourage the voluntary adoption of climate-smart [...]
Why a High School Student Loves Organic Farming
It’s not every day that you meet a high school student from Texas who is as passionate about organic farming as Andrew James. We had the privilege to talk with Andrew recently about why he cares so deeply about growing food in a way that supports a resilient food system and why he thinks research is a critical part of the puzzle.
FFAR and OFRF Renew Partnership to Improve Soil Health Research
May 19, 2021—The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are thrilled to announce the continuation of their partnership to fund on-farm research advancing the climate benefits of organic agriculture systems.
The Agriculture Resilience Act – Good for the Climate, Good for Organic
By improving soil health and increasing soil organic matter, farmers and ranchers draw down atmospheric carbon levels while simultaneously making their farms more resilient to climatic and other future shocks.
OFRF Co-sponsors NOC’s Pre NOSB Meeting
May 7, 2021—On April 15, OFRF co-sponsored the National Organic Coalition’s (NOC) Pre National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Spring meeting. This half day event gathered over 200 organic advocates, farmers, researchers, and brands to discuss some of the most pressing issues in organic agriculture.
Investing in the future, together
You have likely observed the disastrous effects of climate change around you: irregular rainfall patterns, rising sea levels, disappearance of pollinators and native plant habitats, coupled with appearance of invasive species, pests and diseases.
OFRF at Expo West – Save The Date and Register!
April 7, 2021—OFRF will be celebrating our annual Expo West luncheon virtually this year! We’re excited to “see” everyone virtually!
Check Out OFRF’s 2020 Annual Report!
April 7, 2021—OFRF had a strong year with major accomplishments across research, education, and advocacy. We couldn't have done it without you. Take a peek at our brand new 2020 annual report to learn more!
Building Soil Health in the South: OFRF’s New Guidebook Explores Latest Research
March 30, 2021—This new guidebook explores organic soil health principles in the South with practical steps and strategies, farmer stories, and underlying scientific concepts.
Fresh From the Fields: Farmwella
March 5, 2021 – Cornelius Adewale founded Farmwella to help reduce poverty in his native Africa by empowering and supporting the next generation of farmers.
OFRF and NRCS Partner to Provide Education and Outreach on Organic Conservation Practices
February 25, 2021—OFRF and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) form agreement to strengthen conservation partnerships between NRCS field staff and organic producers.
Transforming Agriculture to Mitigate Climate Change and Support Public Health
February 17, 2021—In the current issue of Organic Farmer magazine, OFRF colleagues Lauren Snyder and Cristel Zoebisch explore the connections between agriculture, climate change, and public health.
OFRF Grantee Releases Early-Yielding Red Pepper Variety
February 12, 2021—OFRF research grantee Sarah Hargreaves celebrates the release of a new early-yielding pepper variety called Renegade.
Fresh From the Fields: Gray Organic Farms
January 19, 2021 – Stephen Gray and his family are the third generation to farm their land in Ashkum, Illinois, which they are transitioning to organic using practices such as cover crops and minimal tillage to build the soil and reduce disruption to soil life.
Research Advances Cucumber Lines Resistant to Bacterial Wilt and Downy Mildew
January 14, 2021—In 2019, OFRF provided a second grant to Edmund Frost of Common Wealth Seed Growers to assess resistance to both bacterial wilt and cucurbit downy mildew among selected cucumber seedstocks.
New OFRF Grant Explores Best Practices for Virtual Peer-to-Peer Farmer Learning
December 17, 2020 - To increase understanding of how virtual peer-to-peer learning can help more farmers increase their knowledge and improve their practices, OFRF has awarded a grant to Sarah Brown at Oregon Tilth.
OFRF and FFAR Fund Research on Enhancing Nutrition of Organic Potatoes While Building Healthy Soils
November 30, 2020 - OFRF and FFAR awarded a grant to Dr. Inna Popova at the University of Idaho to examine effective weed management strategies that promote healthy soils and nutritious potatoes.
Webinar: Reducing Production Risks through Organic Soil Health Practices for the South
November 20, 2020 - This webinar explores the potential of soil restoration and improvement to reduce risk, stabilize yields, and build resilience in the Southern U.S.
The election is over, but the work starts now
November 17, 2020 - With a new administration, it is more important than ever to make organic voices heard. OFRF has delivered a transition letter to the Biden-Harris Administration with action steps they can take immediately to increase support of organic agriculture at USDA.
Managing Organic Fertility on Diversified Organic Farms
November 10, 2020 - Building healthy soils is the foundation of successful farm management. However, efficiently managing soil fertility remains a challenge for organic farmers.
Organic Crop & Seed Breeding for Adapting to Climate Change
October 20, 2020 - Most modern crop cultivars have been bred and selected to perform well in conventional farming systems over wide geographic ranges. As a result, organic farmers have relatively few options for purchasing regionally adapted cultivars suited to organic production.
Research Addresses Structural Barriers to Building Soil Health
November 3, 2020 - In the U.S., the number of Latinx farmers continues to increase, even as the total number of farmers decreases. Providing resources for this farming community is critical to creating a more equitable food system and ushering in a new generation of diverse farmers.
The Climate is Changing and We Need to Act Now
October 26, 2020 - The climate is changing and we need to act now. It’s time to band together to build resilient and regenerative agricultural systems that feed our society, our soil, our air, our waterways, and our economy.
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