Organic Farmers Association

10/08/2026

Join us next week to kick off the fall NOSB meetings with a community-wide virtual gathering featuring an update on key issues, proposals, votes, and topics the NOSB will consider at its fall meeting, as well as a farmer panel. Register on NOC's site at the link below!

⏰ Next week! Join NOC on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1–4 PM ET for a Pre-NOSB meeting that will include an NOSB update, split and parallel operation farmer pane, and session on building and strengthening the organic inspector workforce. Make sure to register today!

A BIG thank you to our meeting co-sponsors Organic Farmers Association and the Accredited Certifiers Association!

Also make sure to mark your calendar for the National Organic Convening on Friday, Nov. 6, when we'll cover a federal policy update (including hot-off-the-press election information) plus a Q&A with NOP Deputy Administrator Dr. Jenny Tucker.

🔗 For more information and to register for both events: https://lnkd.in/egfUDMZ3

See you there! 🌱

10/06/2026

The Organic Farmer Storytelling workshops and resources are available now to help curious, transitioning, and certified organic farmers make their businesses stand out and build trust with buyers and consumers!

Registration Open: Upcoming Story Lab 101 Workshops
📆 October Story Lab 101
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 2pm ET

👉 This is a live, 90-minute hands-on workshop session designed to help farmers tell their farm story clearly, confidently, and in their own voice so they can grow their business and help others understand what organic is and why they should buy organic. (Note: This isn't a webinar and no recording will be shared)
https://organicfarmersassociation.org/organic-farmer-storytelling-project

You already have the stories. You just need the guidance and tools for sharing them effectively!

Register now, space is limited: https://organicfarmersassociation.org/organic-farmer-storytelling-project

📅AND SAVE THE DATE: After completing the 101 session, farmers will be invited to participate in the 102 session on Oct. 27.

P.S. - Farmers who complete both Story Lab 101 and Story Lab 102 sessions will be entered into a drawing for one of 50 virtual and 10 in-person video production services. These free videos will give farmers the chance to turn one of their farm stories into a video they can use for their own marketing.

10/02/2026

Organic farmers are natural problem solvers and when it comes to technology they aim to maximize efficiency without sacrificing care. In the September issue of the Organic Voice we take a look at what tools organic farmers are using to supplement their work and innovate on their farms.

📖 Read the full story on page 13: https://organicfarmersassociation.org/organic-voice

Thanks to Matthew Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald Organics), Dave Chapman (Long Wind Farm), and Angela & Kerry Knuth (Knuth Farms) for sharing your stories with us.

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If you'd like to receive OFA's quarterly magazine with news and stories for and by organic farmers and supporters, subscribe to our mailing list: https://organicfarmersassociation.org/subscribe

(We'll only email you about important action alerts, ways you can support organic, and when The Organic Voice is released!)

09/30/2026

Registration is now open for the Organic Job Fair for both jobseekers and employers!
👉 https://organiccareernetwork.vfairs.com

The Organic Career Network is hosting a virtual organic job fair on November 5, 1-5pm CT to bring together employers, jobseekers, and students who are committed to the future of organic.

If you're an employer who'd like to participate, please register for an employer booth by submitting the form at the link. There is a limited number of free spots!

09/27/2026

Want to support OFA's farmer services, education and workgroups in honor of Organic Harvest Month?

Order OFA Member merch to show your support for organic food, farms, and farmers! https://organicfarmersassociation.org/ofa-merch

And OFA Farmer Members, be sure to order your member farm sign here!
https://organicfarmersassociation.org/farmermembersigns

P.S. -👉 Want to see something that isn't in the store? Email us to share your ideas! [email protected]

09/26/2026

The OFA team attended the Distressed Borrowers Assistance Network (DBAN) Gathering in Virginia Beach, VA during Farm Aid earlier this week.

Lily and Farmer Services Intern Bailey Jo learned about loan considerations for farmers, how to assist farmers applying for loans through FSA, and how to listen and talk with farmers in financial distress.

Learn more about DBAN here: https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/the-distressed-borrowers-assistance-network

And reach out to OFA's Farmer Services Team if you'd like to discuss issues on your farm: (833) 724-3834 or [email protected].

09/26/2026

OFA partnered with Kansas Black Farmers Association (KBFA) to host a Kansas field day in Eastern Kansas on August 20. The farm tour highlighted two farms, an urban farm using organic practices and a rural, longtime certified organic farm.

📖 Read the full story of what the urban and rural farms offered attendees on page 39: https://organicfarmersassociation.org/organic-voice

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If you'd like to receive OFA's quarterly magazine with news and stories for and by organic farmers and supporters, subscribe to our mailing list: https://organicfarmersassociation.org/subscribe

(We'll only email you about important action alerts, ways you can support organic, and when The Organic Voice is released!)

09/24/2026

September is Organic Harvest Month and it's more than a celebration, it’s a call to lift up the farms and farmers behind our food.

Here are 3 Ways to Support Organic Right Now: 👩‍🌾

1. Donate: Help organic farmers travel to D.C. to during OFA's annual farmer fly-in . https://givebutter.com/2026-organic-harvest-month

2. Sign up & take action: Protect organic standards from being weakened and use your voice to tell leaders to support organic. https://organicfarmersassociation.org/subscribe/

3. Become a member (or renew your membership!): Support the work that protects organic foods and farms and engage on a deeper level (Memberships available for consumers and farmers!) https://organicfarmersassociation.org/member-benefits

Organic Harvest Month is a time to celebrate and defend organic farming, and whether you farm, shop, or care about sustainable food and the environment, you’re part of this movement! Spread the word! 📢

09/23/2026

Join OFA’s Organic Dairy Workgroup for a Community Call to Discuss Regional Market and Insights on Policy on Wednesday, October 7.

RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/fall-2026-ofa-organic-dairy-community-call

We'll provide a comprehensive overview of our group's work and discuss key topics impacting the organic dairy sector. Hear from organic dairy producers and experts from the Northeast, Midwest, and West at 11am ET / 8am PT for a one-hour briefing.

Topics include:
- Farm Bill Updates
- Fall NOSB Meeting - Ivermectin
- Regional Organic Milk Market Discussion
- Upcoming Issues in Organic Dairy

Who should attend: Organic Dairy farmers and advocates

Register Now: https://actionnetwork.org/events/fall-2026-ofa-organic-dairy-community-call

09/23/2026

Weather happens, and lately, more extreme weather events have been happening more frequently! Join organic fruit farmers Steve Ela and Regan Choi of Ela Family Farms to learn how their farm and family has navigated the extreme weather events of this season. Learn about the importance of a farm safety net, and where it still falls short. Be inspired by the resilience of this family farm and the support they have felt from their agricultural community!

About the farm:
Ela Family Farms grows over 55 varieties of organic tree fruits including cherries, peaches, pears, apples, plums, plus organic grapes and multiple varieties of organic heirloom tomatoes. Ela Family Farms was the first certified organic orchard in Colorado, and now is operated by the 4th generation of the family.

Date: October 9th, 1-3pm MT

Location: Ela Family Farms | Hotchkiss, CO 81419

RSVP: https://actionnetwork.org/events/organic-farm-tour-hotchkiss-colorado

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