Latest OFRF News
Win-Win for Everyone
Keith Richards is the Chair of the OFRF Board of Directors. Here he shares what motivates him to support OFRF through annual donations and board service. And he offers a list of creative ways to donate, so that you can contribute to a "healthy agriculture that makes good use of resources and sustains life."
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Green Things Farm Collective
Nathan Lada is one of the four co-owners of Green Things Farm Collective, a diversified vegetable farm located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The farmers produce an array of fresh market vegetables and cut flowers for CSA memberships, farmers markets, small grocery and small wholesale markets. They are participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials (FLT) Program to experiment with different crop configurations for better production of beets and radishes.
How Research Helps Farmers
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.
What to Know about High Tunnels for Vegetable Production in the Southeast
Based on a webinar and recent research from Dr. Xin Zhao, this post shares the importance of high tunnels for organic vegetable production in the Southeast and discusses challenges faced by growers in the region, and research outcomes related to temperature regulation, insect pressure, fogging systems, shade and light management, with recommendations for optimizing production and addressing environmental factors.
Organic Research Funding
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.
Farmer Led Trials Program Spotlight: Colby Farms
Tim and Becky Colby own Colby Farms, a 14 acre farm in Papillion, Nebraska, where they produce vegetables, fruits and some livestock products for their community. They are participating in OFRF's Farmer Led Trials (FLT) Program to research the best cover crop options for reducing soil compaction on their farm.
Growing Together, one year with the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program
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.
Beyond Buzzwords: Organic is Regenerative
The term ‘regenerative’ has gained widespread traction, but definitions vary widely. It has caught the attention of consumers interested in the impact of their food choices, and farmers and policymakers looking for ways to adapt to or mitigate climate change. But organic is already regenerative.
Organic Researcher Spotlight: Dr. Dil Thavarajah
New cultivars of pulse crops (lentils, chickpeas, and field peas) may soon be available to organic farmers! These improved varieties are under development through a project led by Dr Dil Thavarajah at Clemson State University (CSU).
New Toolkit Highlights How Organic Practices Lead the Way in Regenerative Agriculture
The Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) is proud to announce the launch of an innovative messaging toolkit, “Organic is Regenerative,” designed to address the growing interest in sustainable food choices and climate-friendly agriculture.
