organic farming research foundation organic farming research foundation silicon valley social...

Organic Farming Research Foundation

Silicon Valley Social Venture FundMarch 21, 2011

Vision

Organic farming is the leading form of agriculture leading to healthy and resilient people, ecosystems, and economies

Mission

To foster the improvement and widespread adoption of organic

farming systems.

How we have changed the world in the past 10 years

Significant conservation measures in place on farms as a result of our involvement with others to secure $50 million EQIP funding from USDA

Many Land Grant Universities have organic programs today due, in part, to our work to get research funding in the 2000 Farm Bill and our State of the States report

Organic Farmers are being heard in DC as a result of our Farmer Fly-Ins

Objective

Create the infrastructure so organic farming is viable, successful, profitable, and attractive

Organic Champions in Congress and Federal Agencies

Organic Programs in Universities

Continued Advancement of Organic Research Agenda

A broad and deep base of organic supporters

How We Move Forward

Assess and Clarify

Develop the Plan

Fully Implement

Key Decisions

How do we best use Multiple Benefits Report to “move the needle” in Congress, in Agencies, with environmental groups, consumers?

How do we best share our research results with farmers?

Should we build out a national organic organizing organization?

Where and how to start integrating organic into Universities?

Who are our strategic partners?

Methods

Conduct Organic Farmer Survey

Fund and conduct Multiple Benefits Communication Campaign Message Research

Conduct Land Grant Universities Assessment

Assess Impact and Efficacy of OFRF’s Grant Program

Methodscontinued

Complete Database Conversion

Fully Staff Policy Team

Fully Staff Development Team

Continue improvement of budget and expense monitoring

Assess internal needs of office: IT, space, equipment

Summary

2011 is the Year of Clarification

2012 is the Year of Plan Development

2013 is the Year of Fully Implementing

What we do today will determine

the farming of tomorrow