Organic News

Rich Everett, Everett Family Farm

photo of Rich Everett, Everett Family FarmWhen asked why he farms organically, Rich replied--

"There really is no alternative.  It's always been important to us to instill the value of growing healthy food and the connection of where it comes from.  We learn a lot by trial and error and the young farmers who launch their farming careers here."

Check out what's going on at Everett Family Farm.

Jim Cochran, Swanton Berry Farm

"Farming production is not the hard part. Without a solid handle on marketing, you can't grow the right things at the right time at the right price. You have to know your market really well."

- Jim Cochran, Organic Farmer -
Swanton Berry Farm
 

James Cook, Groundswell Organic Farm

When organic farmer James Cook of Groundswell Farm was asked who he considered to be his greatest political ally, he did not miss a beat when he replied, "CONSUMERS!"

 

Where’s your Farmer?

You’ve heard about “Know Your Food, Know Your Farmer” campaign. This past week at the MOSES conference in La Crosse, Wisconsin, I met with several groups working to make sure there are actually farmers to know, especially organic farmers. They took somewhat different approaches, all with the intent to make certain we have farmers in the future.

Some organizations help farmers who are close to retirement transition their farm to the next generation. They provide guidance and advice to ensure that the land is kept in organic production. Sometimes the farm is passed on to the children. Other times the farm is handed over to a non-relative.

CALLING ALL FARMERS

OFRF is conducting an in depth insight study to gain farmer perspective on the current and emerging needs of American farmers.  We are asking you to participate in a 45 minute interview with a professional market research firm.  This insight will help shape future programs in research, education and policy.  If you would like to participate, please send your name and availability to info@gorfh.com.  Please add 'Farmer Insight Study' into the subject line.

Thank you!

Give Healthy Organics this Holiday Season

The necessity for holiday gift-giving and more hours in the day seem to go hand-in-hand. This year, we make it easier for you. Now you can give organic gifts that your family will love that are healthy, easy, AND!... support organic farming.

Our wonderful partners have agreed to donate a percentage of their sales to OFRF while delivering good organic holidays to your friends and family.

This Thanksgiving, we are very grateful for your continued support. Please share the great work our friends at America's Best Organics, Lisa's Organics, Big Empty Bison Leather, and Uncle Matt's Organic do for American organic farming, everyday.

Maureen Wilmot in Ohio articulating a very bright future for organic production

Maureen Wilmot will join Ohio State University’s Organic Food and Farming Education and Research (OFFER) autumn symposium, “Future Directions for Organic Agriculture Research.”  The Nov. 1st  symposium is a summit for stakeholders, including farmers, researchers and policymakers, to discuss the future of organic farming and how we can anticipate research and education needs to help producers and processors be successful.  Click here for more information about the event.

Call to Congress: Stop Stalling on Farm Bill

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Organic Phone Flash Mob Sept. 19th! 

If you haven't called yet, please call today.  Congress is waiting until after the election to do anything about the Farm Bill.  We need to urge them to get the job done before the end of the year and to sustain organic programs that are most critical to our health and prosperity.

Press Release: Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) Holds America's First ORGANIC Phone Flash Mob to Congress

Hundreds of Callers Will Compel Congress to Support Organic Farmers and Stop Stalling on the Farm Bill


For Immediate Release    

Contact Info:
Denise Ryan
External Relations Director
(831) 426-6606
denise@ofrf.org

Santa Cruz, CA (September 17, 2012) On September 19, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. EST, hundreds of organic industry leaders and consumers will be led by OFRF's Executive Director, Maureen Wilmot, in the first American Organic Phone Flash Mob to Congress. Leaders and supporters of organic farming will gather in Baltimore, MD at The Organic Summit, where Maureen will present The Organic Political System: How Organic Farmers' Voices are Best Heard in the American Political Conversation.

Farm Bill Now Rally on the Capitol Lawn

Please call your Member of Congress NOW and demand continued funding for organic programs in the Farm Bill.

Photo collage from the September 12 Farm Bill Rally at the Capitol

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