Latest OFRF News
Working with NRCS: North Star Organics’ Story and Recommendations
North Star Organics, owned and operated by Cheryl and Alan Kobernik, is a 40-acre certified-organic cherry farm located in Frankfort, Michigan. This is the story of how their organic cherry farm is using NRCS programs to meet conservation goals - and what they’ve learned from this experience.
OFRF Announces 2026 Farmer-Led Research Trials Cohort
OFRF announces the 2026 Farmer-Led Research Trials Cohort. Nine organic farms across the country have been selected to receive technical support for next round of innovative on-farm research trials.
Source: Mesta Meadows
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Mesta Meadows
Mesta Meadows, a family-owned ranch in the Ozark Highlands, prioritizes responsible land and animal stewardship. Farmer Ed Crowley is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with using forage species as a natural deworming agent for their lambs.
Post House Agriculture Committee Markup: How OFRF is Viewing Organic Research Priorities in the Farm Bill
Congressional authorization for the Organic Transitions Program (ORG) was included in the House Agriculture Committee’s Farm Bill markup on March 4, 2026, which could present an opportunity for Senate Agriculture Committee members to take a meaningful step in right-sizing federal funding for organic agriculture research this year.
The Power of Shared Narrative: Lessons from the Institute for Agroecology
Earlier this year, OFRF staff met with Shane Rogers, of the University of Vermont’s Institute for Agroecology, to learn more about their work and explore how narrative strategy and a joyful mapping project can help build a stronger food movement.
Growing Organic Grains and Pulses in the Northeast: What Does the Research Say?
Organic grain and pulse farmers in the northeast face challenges including finding crop rotations, effective and economical seeding rates, and weed management, to name a few. Organic research projects across the northeast have insights about these challenges and how farmers might address them.
From Conventional to Certified: Transitioning to Organic in the Northwest
Three farmers with roots in conventional agriculture share their challenges and successes navigating the transition to certified organic production in the Northwest.
Policy Developments in 2025 and How They Are Affecting Small Farms
Despite messaging around reinvigorated support for small farms, policy choices over the last year have revealed a widespread decline in resources for small farmers. Learn about the program cuts and how they are impacting farmers across the country.
Doing the Unglamorous, Essential Work to Help Organic Agriculture Thrive
As Gordon prepares to step away from his role at OFRF, he reflects on the lessons learned in four years working in organic agriculture policy and how it has shaped the way he thinks about food, farming, and creating policy that serves the people who are integral to our food system.
Farmer-Led Trials Program Spotlight: Passion Garden
Passion Garden, in Waco Texas, is a three-acre diversified farm, in the process of transitioning to organic certification. Farmer Kay Bell is participating in OFRF's Farmer-Led Trial Program to experiment with farm-made soil amendments from mesquite bean pods to increase productivity of tomato varieties.
