OFRF & FFAR Fund Research on Organic Farming System for BIPOC and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
This farmer-led research project, Organic For All, is a participatory capacity building agricultural research and outreach project that will help identify needs, hindrances and barriers with BIPOC farmers and work together to develop solutions and resources through relevant learning sessions that provide education, hands-on training, and technical assistance.
USDA Announces Organic Transition Initiative Investments
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Funding toward Technical and Direct Farmer Assistance, Market Development (August 22, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the initial details on a historic $300 million investment in the Organic Transition Initiative. As part of its Food System Transformation Framework, the USDA is taking important steps toward supporting both organically-certified farmers and ranchers and producers who wish to transition into organic production. Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) has been working alongside policymakers and industry partners to advocate for this crucial investment that supports producers' [...]
OFRF Provides Testimony to full House Ag Committee on the Role of Climate Research Supporting Ag Resiliency
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (JULY 6, 2022) - Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Research & Education Program Manager Thelma Vélez, PhD, recently testified before the full House Agriculture Committee hearing on "The Role of Climate Research in Supporting Agricultural Resiliency." As one of five panelists invited to share their expertise, Vélez summarized research findings that demonstrate the potential for organic systems to mitigate climate change and build resilience. Her testimony and extensive Q&A reflected Dr. Vélez's 15+ years of interdisciplinary research experience and thorough recommendations for more investment in organic research, [...]
OFRF and FFAR Announce On-Farm Organic Research Grant Addressing Climate Resilience for Coffee Producers
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 29, 2022) – The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are pleased to announce its second award for the 2021/22 OFRF organic research grant cycle. Alejandra Guzman Luna, affiliated with Universidad Veracruzana and in collaboration with the Agroecology and Livelihoods Collaborative at the University of Vermont, was awarded $19,970 to evaluate organic farming practices for staple crops in Chiapas, Mexico. Mexico’s highland region of Sierra Madre del Sur, known for its coffee production, has been severely impacted by [...]
OFRF’s Thelma Vélez to Speak to House Agriculture Committee on Agricultural Resiliency, Climate Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 14, 2022) — Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Research & Education Program Manager Thelma Vélez, PhD, will testify before the full House Agriculture Committee hearing on “The Role of Climate Research in Supporting Agricultural Resiliency.” Vélez was invited to share her expertise and will be summarizing research findings that demonstrate the potential for organic systems to mitigate climate change and build resilience. She will also recommend more investment in organic research, education, and extension to support American farmers and ranchers in implementing the best practices for climate mitigation and [...]
OFRF and FFAR Announce Research Grant on Organic Farming Approaches to Coffee Leaf Rust Disease
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (June 9, 2022) – The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) are pleased to announce its first award for the 2021/22 OFRF organic research grant cycle. Colehour Bondera of Kanalani Ohana Farm was awarded $19,900 to research organic farming systems options for controlling Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) on five organic farms in Kona, Hawaii. This farmer-led research project takes a whole-systems approach to evaluate plant health-based options for managing coffee leaf rust (CLR), a potentially devastating disease for all [...]
