General News
Fields of Possibility: Tribal Food Sovereignty and Organic Agriculture
The Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of tribal communities by advancing healthy food systems, diversified economic development, and cultural food traditions. In a recent conversation with OFRF, we explored the history of Federal Indian Policy, its lasting impacts on food sovereignty, and the intersections with organic agriculture.
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.
Help Us Strengthen Conservation Access for Organic Operations
Organic farmers deserve a seat at the table. OFRF and the National Organic Coalition are urging USDA’s NRCS to better support organic practices in key conservation standards—and your voice can help make it happen. Submit a comment by July 30 using our simple tool and speak up for soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
Advancing Organic Agriculture: Sharing Corn Research with Congressmen Burchett and Ogles
Researchers have a powerful role to play in policy conversations and Dr. Renata Nave Oakes, is a great example. A researcher at the University of Tennessee, Dr. Oakes recently met with Congressmen Burchett and Ogles to share how she is using the Organic Transitions Program to research how to improve soil health, reduce weed pressure, enhance nitrogen availability through biological fixation, and ultimately make organic corn production more profitable and practical for farmers.
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection (WFRP): Insurance Options for Organic and Transitioning Growers
New to WFRP or not sure it applies to your farm? Our latest toolkit breaks down Whole-Farm Revenue Protection and shows how organic and transitioning growers can use it to protect diverse operations and income streams.
What’s Going On? A Brief Update on What’s Happening in DC
With endless stops and starts, shifting deadlines, and overlapping processes, it can be hard to track what actually matters in the federal policy spheres. At OFRF, we want to keep our community grounded in the real implications for organic research and the systems that support and benefit from it. This month’s Policy Corner provides brief updates on some of the processes we are engaged in, and how you can help support that work.
Advancing Organic Agriculture: Sharing Tomato Research with Senators Tillis and Budd
Dr. Dilip Panthee, an organic tomato researcher at North Carolina State University recently met with staff from Senators Tillis and Budd to talk about the importance of funding organic research. Learn how his work developing disease-resistant tomatoes is helping farmers—and why researchers have a powerful role to play in policy conversations.
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.
Nearly 80% of New Organic Farmers Are Looking for Climate Resilience
Over the years, OFRF has spoken to dozens, if not hundreds, of farmers, and increases in extreme weather events often come up in conversation. 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.
Sharing the Latest Organic Research with NRCS: a new annual research report and webinar are available from OFRF
Learn about the Organic Farming Research Foundation's latest research summary and webinar with the USDA NRCS. These reports and sessions provide valuable insights into organic farming practices, covering topics like soil health, pest management, and conservation techniques to help NRCS staff support organic and transitioning farmers across the U.S.
Ensuring a Sustainable Future With My Legacy to OFRF
Discover how planned giving to OFRF ensures a sustainable future for organic farming and environmental stewardship, leaving a lasting impact for generations to come.
Keeping it Real: How OFRF Groundtruths Our Policy Priorities, and Why That Matters
In today’s political environment, defined by complexity, shifting political winds, and consistently competing interests, clarity and consistency matter more than ever. That’s why it is all the more important that OFRF stays grounded by always adhering to one simple principle: our work must be rooted in the real needs of the organic farming and research community.
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?".
Bringing Organic to the Hill: How OFRF is Making Waves in D.C.
Behind the scenes in D.C., OFRF is working to ensure organic farmers and science-backed solutions remain central to ag policy. Here's how we're building momentum—and why it matters now more than ever.
Lessons from Organic Seed Usage Farmer Listening Session
OFRF's sixth Seeds of Success Networking Session, where farmers share challenges and successes in face-to-face virtual spaces, over 40 organic seed farmers share insights on organic seed usage and direction for policies for positive next steps for the industry.
Spring Storms in Policymaking: How Organic Research is Affected by Reconciliation
Reconciliation is a fast-track budget process that allows Congress to adjust spending, revenue, and debt limits. For advocates of organic farming and publicly-funded agricultural research, reconciliation can have profound implications on the future of important programs. Learn what’s happening right now, and what’s at stake for organic agriculture.
OFRF-Funded Organic Strawberry Researcher Receives Prestigious Sustainability Leadership Award
Dr. Joji Muramoto, supported by OFRF since 1997, has received UC’s top sustainability award for his leadership in organic strawberry research and grower collaboration.
OFRF Urges NOSB to Keep Driving Bold Farmer-Centered Organic Research
OFRF submitted comments and delivered oral testimony at the National Organic Standards Board's spring meeting urging continued investment in bold, farmer-centered organic research priorities. Our recommendations address persistent gaps and propose new focus areas to help the organic sector thrive.
Organic Research in the Balance: What’s Happening in Wisconsin
From breeding new varieties of organic carrots to overcoming hurdles to achieving efficacy in organic meat curing, Wisconsin is undoubtedly a leader in organic production and research. This article, originally published in Marbleseed's Organic Broadcaster in spring 2025, highlights Wisconsin's organic industries and research and the contributions being made to the broader organic community.
Our 2024 Annual Report is Here
We’re celebrating the release of our Annual Report! Featuring three stories from farmers, researchers, and organic advocates, this report highlights the impactful work we’ve accomplished in 2024.
