On June 18, the Organic Farmers Association, a national policy association committed to providing a strong and unified voice for domestic certified organic farmers, recently announced their 2019 policy platform.

Organic Farmers Association’s policy priorities serve as an outline of the advocacy the organization will conduct in Washington, D.C., representing organic farmers on a national level. Policy priorities approved by OFA farmer members in 2019 include increased support for beginning farmer and market development, streamlined crop insurance requirements, and dedicated funding for organic public seeds and breeds research.

In 2019, Organic Farmers Association will also advocate for:

-- Original Of Livestock Rule: The publication and immediate implementation of a Final Origin of Livestock Rule, governing the transitioning of a non-organic dairy herd to organic, incorporating changes to eligibility, strengthening organic accountability for dairy animals, and outlining prohibited activities.

-- Green New Deal: Implementation of policies that encompass the vision of a Green New Deal that recognize the role of organic agriculture in mitigating climate change and provide Organic Farmers Association a seat at the table.

-- National Organic Standards Board: Requiring that the farmer-seat on the National Organic Standards Board be filled by a farm operator (as defined by the USDA-ERS). Organic Farmers Association has endorsed numerous qualified NOSB farmer applicants and urges the choosing of a real farmer for the vacancy.

-- Immigration Reform: Immigration reform that provides just options for organic farmers and farm workers that legalizes the existing farm labor force, retains the current H-2A program, and introduces an agricultural work visa program.

“Our policies come straight up from the grassroots of the U.S. organic farmer community across this nation. These are the policies they are most concerned with in 2019 and OFA will be there advocating on their behalf,” said Kate Mendenhall, Director of Organic Farmers Association. “It’s impressive that all of our 2019 policies were supported by each region across the nation—organic farmers are united in their national priorities.”

To develop the annual policy platform, Organic Farmers Association solicits input from all U.S. certified organic farmers and organic farm organizations.

Submissions are then reviewed by the OFA Policy Committee who submit policy statements to OFA members for comment. U.S certified organic farm members then vote on policy positions to determine the final policy platform.

Adoption of an OFA policy priority requires 60 percent of the popular national vote and 60% popular support in at least two-thirds of the six OFA regions. OFA follows a “one farm, one vote” model in which every certified organic member farm, regardless of size, receives one vote on policy issues.

Click Here for a copy of the policy priorities.

The Organic Farmers Association is committed to building a farmer-led national organic movement and national policy platform by advocating for policies beneficial to organic farmers, strengthening and supporting the capacity of organic farmers and farm organizations, and supporting collaboration among state, regional, and national organic farmer organizations.

The Organic Farmers Association is supported by its fiscal sponsor Rodale Institute.

Related Articles:

NRCS, CBF-PA Offering Farm Conservation Assistance In Centre, Clinton, Lycoming Counties; Applications Due June 28

NRCS-PA Provides $9 Million In Grants To Conservation Districts To Help Implement Federal Farm Bill Programs

EPA, USDA Host June 26 Webinar On Private Sector Financing Solutions For Nutrient Reduction

Register Now!  Rodale Institute Hosts Organic Farming Field Day July 19 In Kutztown, Berks County

Interns: Bloomsburg Student Intern Justin Groshek With Natural Resources Conservation Service On Path To Success

[Posted: June 18, 2019]

6/23/2019