General News
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.
Did you know there are many ways to support organic farmers?
October 14, 2020 - Each day our small and mighty team works tirelessly to fund innovative organic research, provide the most up-to-date, science-based, farmer-led resources to farmers, advocate for organic farming as a climate solution in Washington, DC, and educate consumers about best organic farming practices.
Creating Climate Resilient Organic Crop Production Systems
October 8 - OFRF provided a research grant to Dr. Erin Silva in the Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison (UW-Madison) to examine the ability of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) to enhance soil moisture retention and increase access to nutrients.
Climate and Agriculture Legislation Roundup
October 8 - As severe weather events and wildfires have ravaged the country and the presidential election nears, the climate crisis continues to be a major topic of discussion on Capitol Hill.
Navigate the Complex World of Soil Health
October 7 - Our free series of guidebooks and webinars on soil health provide up-to-date, science-based information to help guide you in your efforts to build and sustain the health of our most valuable resource, soil.
New Grants Examine Organic Weed and Pest Management Strategies
October 1 - OFRF has awarded new grants to farmer/researcher collaborations at the Georgia Organic Peanut Association and the University of Idaho.
Carolyn Dimitri Appointed to NOSB Board
September 30 - OFRF is pleased to share the news that our board member, Dr. Carolyn Dimitri, an Associate Professor of Food Studies at New York University, has been appointed to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
New Grant to Evaluate Use of Approved Fertilizers in Organic Tomato Crops
September 10 - OFRF has awarded a grant to Kate Scow, Director of the Russell Ranch Sustainable Agriculture Facility at the University of California Davis to evaluate the costs and benefits of using organic-approved liquid injectable fertilizers in tomato crops.
Organic for Climate Research Priorities
September 1, 2020 - OFRF’s organic research priorities focus on ensuring public research investments respond to the top challenges facing organic farmers and ranchers and producers who want to farm more sustainably, while also advancing organic agriculture’s contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Beginning Farmer Training Program Now Available
August 26, 2020 - OFRF’s free online training program is now available! Please help us get the word out on this new resource. We are looking for feedback and ask that anyone who takes the section also completes the brief surveys at the end.
Cover Crops for Weed Management
August 18, 2020 - Cover crops can suppress weeds and build soil health, but how and when to terminate cover crops is not straightforward. In 2019, OFRF provided a grant to Professor Alex Woodley at North Carolina State University to begin addressing this question in sweet potatoes.
A-Frame Farm
August 6, 2020 - Luke and Ali Peterson farm 500 certified organic acres employing practices such as cover cropping, minimal tillage, and crop livestock rotation toward the goal of becoming self-sustaining and truly regenerative.
Organic for Climate Policy Recommendations
August 6, 2020 - As conversations around the climate crisis continue to evolve on Capitol Hill, OFRF wants to ensure that climate legislation includes support for organic agriculture given its many climate benefits.
Focus Group Hosts Needed for National Survey
August 4, 2020 - OFRF and OSA are conducting a national survey of certified organic producers and producers transitioning to organic production. We are seeking applications from organizations that support certified organic and transitioning agricultural producers to facilitate and coordinate virtual focus groups.