Organic Farming Research Foundation

This is one reason I love working in organic agriculture! #OrganicForThePlanet

Not sure where to start when it comes to funding your farm, getting organic certified, or improving your conservation practices? OFRF's new “Start Here” guide walks you through your options step by step. This free resource covers accessing funding, organic certification, conservation practices, and research support, all in one place. Each program listed includes who’s eligible, what’s covered, when to apply, and how to apply, so you can quickly find what fits your operation. One tip from the guide: most programs require a farmers.gov account, so it's worth setting it up early. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/eZBAHQ-p

Organic farming helps protect biodiversity, from pollinators in hedgerows to the organisms living in the soil. Organic farmers use practices that maintain or improve biodiversity on their farms, including diverse crop rotations and permanent hedgerows. These practices provide pollinators with a more consistent supply of food and habitat and create space for a wider range of organisms to thrive. But building habitat is only half the picture. What organic farming leaves out matters just as much. Pesticides can harm soil invertebrates such as earthworms, ants, beetles, and bees, and widespread insect population declines already threaten the ecosystems that support agriculture and other forms of life. Organic production prohibits most synthetic pesticides, reducing one of the biggest pressures on these organisms. Biodiversity is part of what makes agricultural ecosystems function. Protecting it — what’s added and what’s avoided — helps support healthy farms, healthy ecosystems, and the food systems that depend on them. Organic is for the planet. Sunflower photo from Foote Brook Farm in Johnson, VT #OrganicForThePlanet #OrganicFarming #Biodiversity #SustainableAgriculture #SoilHealth

Fall has arrived! 🍂 We asked organic farmers from across the country what this season means to them, from garlic harvests to shorter days to getting the fields ready for winter. It's a good reminder that their year follows the land; something you live by, not just something you notice. These voices come from our Organic Stewardship Council, the farmer-led group that guides our work. Click through to hear about fall in their words. 🌾

“I encourage any grower to go visit your local FSA office, get your property registered, and get on their mailing list.” That’s the advice Ben McLean III of Uncle Matt’s Organic and McLean Family Farms has for fellow farmers considering NRCS support. As part of our work with the Southeast region of USDA’s TOPP, OFRF spoke with Ben about his experience with EQIP, the challenges he navigated, and the resilience he built into his family's Florida citrus farm. Read the full story to learn how conservation practices and NRCS programs can strengthen your operation: https://lnkd.in/evrBuUxN #OrganicFarming #TOPP #NRCS #FloridaCitrus

🎉 JOIN US — VIRTUAL LAUNCH PARTY WITH AMBER FARMERS: WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1:00 PM CST What does it take to build the organic future? Ask the farmers doing the work. Join us on September 23 for the virtual Zoom launch party celebrating Amber Farmland Investments, and hear from the organic farmers at the heart of our work. We’ll begin with the premiere of our new 12-minute film about Amber, followed by a live Q+A with some of the farmers featured in the film: 🌱 Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones Crabtree of Vilicus Farms 🌽 Corey and Rick Johnson of Johnson Family Farms 🌾 Harold and Ross Wilken of Janie's Mill Learn directly from these farmers about stewarding the land, transitioning to organic, and building successful farms for the long term. We hope you will join us! Click here to register: https://lnkd.in/g56aKmsJ

Can teff handle high winds? 🌾🌪️ Kristin Swoszowski-Tran, of Ledoux Grange in Mora, NM, conducted an on-farm trial to evaluate 14 teff accessions for their performance under the farm’s characteristically windy, high-altitude conditions. Her trial, findings, and lessons learned are all available in this final report, as are the results from all our Farmer-Led Trial Program participants. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/ehBcFy5q

OFRF is heading to the Common Ground Country Fair next week, and we hope to see you there! The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association's Common Ground Country Fair is an annual celebration of rural living, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors and speakers, with a focus on sustainable living, local economies, and organic agriculture. Rebecca and Clare will be giving a talk entitled "Organic in the Northeast: Farmer Insights & Challenges” at 12 p.m. in the Windsor Tent. 🗓️ Friday, September 25, 2026 📍 Common Ground Education Center, Unity, ME. In the presentation, Rebecca and Clare will discuss the findings from our recently released National Organic Research Agenda Report and share resources for farmers interested in engaging in research. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ePaN6PUQ

The path forward for organic is bright. 🌱 #OrganicWeekDC

For organic sheep farmers, finding effective, certifier-approved interventions to reduce parasite load is a persistent challenge. To find a solution, the Lucas Family, of Chestnut Acres Farm in Kelso, TN, applied to OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials Program. This year they trialed an organic drench of black walnut, garlic, and molasses, on their lambs to manage parasites. Read the full blog on our website: https://lnkd.in/eHtsNaGq