Speaking Up for Organic

Written by - Ashley Dulaney, OFRF Communications & Vinnie Trometter, OFRF Policy Fellow

Dr. Eric Brennan, a research horticulturist at USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) station in Salinas, California, has dedicated years to advancing organic and sustainable farming systems through science and advocacy. In 2021, he had the opportunity to share this research and long-term findings with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board during a key regulatory hearing for Ag Order 4.0, a program impacting more than 540,000 acres of farmland. In just ten minutes, Brennan presented strong evidence on cover crops and compost use, persuading the board to revise the regulation immediately to better promote sustainable practices. His testimony shaped a policy that now gives growers credit for proven conservation strategies—a major achievement for organic farming in the Central Coast region.

This success did not stem from longstanding connections to the board or an orchestrated campaign. Instead, it resulted from persistence, readiness, and a commitment to farmer-informed science—values at the heart of the organic community. Just as USDA organic standards took years to establish, effective advocacy requires perseverance. Dr. Brennan's story demonstrates that it's worth the effort.

You don't need a large platform or a high-profile title to influence policy. Direct engagement grounded in experience and purpose can bring about meaningful change. Every day, individuals like you speak up for what matters, helping shape decisions that influence our food and farming systems. In fact, right now, scientists across the country are partnering with our team at the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF) to reach elected officials and share research on producing organic corn with living mulch systems, breeding organic tomatoes resistant to emerging diseases, and developing methods to combat fire blight.

Now more than ever, our insights and perspectives are vital and must be shared. Whether you're farming, researching, or organizing in your community, your voice can help shape the future of food and farm policy. Ready to get started?

The easiest way to share your story is to contact your legislators directly. To do this, you first need to know who your members of Congress are. You can find them and their contact information at www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

Once identified, you can call or email your Senators and Representatives directly to share your opinions. A staff member might answer your call, or you may leave a message. To prepare, we suggest writing down a few key points or using a phone script template. Don’t worry if you don’t speak with a staff member personally; all voicemails and emails are carefully reviewed to ensure legislators understand the views of their constituents.

Want to meet with your legislators directly to discuss a specific issue? Let them know by requesting a short meeting when you call or email. Most members of Congress keep time available in their schedules for these kinds of interactions.

Using action alerts from organizations like the National Organic Coalition and the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is another effective way to communicate with legislators. These alerts, sent during urgent times, enable you to send personalized messages to your representatives with just a few clicks, using your home address. Signing up for email updates from these organizations keeps you informed about new alerts, helping you advocate for causes like organic farming and sustainability.

Writing a Letter to the Editor in your local newspaper is a great way to share your opinions on political issues and engage your community at the same time. Once published, share it with legislators to show public support, highlight local relevance, and encourage action.

Pennsylvania’s organic sector is growing rapidly—and so is its influence. The state now ranks third in the nation for organic farmgate sales, reaching $1.09 billion in 2021, with more than 1,100 organic farms across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania leads the country in organic livestock, poultry, and mushroom production, and since 2011, the state’s organic sales have surged by over 789%, far outpacing national growth.

Recent state-level action reflects this momentum. In 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro signed legislation establishing the PA Preferred Organic brand and the Organic Center for Excellence to boost consumer confidence and strengthen integrity in organic products. New efforts, such as the Agricultural Innovation Grant Program—the first of its kind in the nation—and proposed legislation, like HB 894, which supports veterans entering the sustainability sector, further signal a strong commitment to innovation and inclusion in agriculture.

Pennsylvania is also a leader in organic research. Since 2009, Penn State University has received more than $27 million in USDA OREI and ORG funding to advance organic systems research, including cutting-edge projects investigating anaerobic soil disinfection as an organic method (to aid producers transitioning into organic production and working to integrate weed and disease management), and best management practices on honey bee colony performance, immunocompetence, and parasite and pathogen levels. And through the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP), organizations like Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) offer training, mentorship, and community support to help more farmers transition to certified organic production.

If you're based in Pennsylvania, you’re part of a state where your voice and your values can help shape the future of agriculture. Now is a powerful time to speak up.

Learn More about the Organic Farming Research Foundation at https://ofrf.org/

Image Captions:

• First Image: Dr. Dilip Panthee, associate professor and tomato breeder at North Carolina State University, is working to breed organic tomatoes resistant to emerging diseases like late blight, bacterial spot, early blight, and Septoria leaf spot.
• Second Image: OFRF team members in Washington, D.C., working to ensure the voices of organic farmers and ranchers are heard.
• Third Image: OFRF’s Communicating with Legislators email course is free, online, and self-paced over 3 weeks