A Personal Note as I Step Away from OFRF
By Gordon Merrick, OFRF Policy Program Director
As I sit down to write this edition of Gordon’s Policy Corner, I’m enveloped by a whirlwind of emotions: gratitude, pride, and a few tears that are hard to hold back. After nearly four transformative years with the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF), the time has come for me to step away from an organization that has deeply influenced my understanding of food, farming, and policy work aimed at benefiting the backbone of our food system—farmers, farm workers, researchers, and the bridge-builders who convert scientific insights into practical applications.
When I first joined OFRF, it provided me with a platform to rethink our approach to policy research and advocacy. I’ve had the incredible privilege of being part of initiatives that I believe will have lasting impacts. We’ve launched courses like Communicating with Legislators aimed at demystifying the policy process for both researchers and farmers. I had a hand in crafting and introducing the Organic Science and Research Investment Act in both the House and Senate, and I worked tirelessly to strengthen relationships among researchers, producers, and their policymakers. Additionally, we developed practical toolkits about USDA programs through our TOPP-W/SW efforts and collaborated with NRCS to enhance research-backed resources relevant to organic practices within the agency.
Fellowship of the Rings photo credit: New Line Cinema
Yet, the achievements I just mentioned don’t capture the essence of my experience here. What truly fuels my pride is the community we’ve built. I take immense satisfaction in my role within the TOPP network, a collaborative group of farmers, certifiers, researchers, nonprofits, and agency staff engaged in the essential, albeit often unglamorous, work that enables organic systems to flourish—from small urban farms to complex distribution networks. Forgive my enthusiasm, but this unified network resembles a Tolkien-esque fellowship: a dedicated team united against the odds, committed to carrying our mission forward together.
Looking to the future, I have utmost confidence that OFRF will continue to create significant impacts in the field of organic agriculture. This is rooted in the remarkable people that make up our organization, the relationships they foster, and the dynamic manner in which OFRF operates—always prioritizing the lived experiences of farmers. Our commitment will persist in striving for research that is actionable and ensuring that organic agriculture remains central to U.S. agricultural priorities. The work we’ve accomplished is greater than the contributions of any single individual, and that’s how it should be.
A crucial lesson I plan to carry with me is the importance of transitioning our collective mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. From an either/or mentality to a yes/and perspective, and from an us-versus-them attitude to a holistic view that considers the entire system. The essence of organic agriculture has always pointed in this direction: it seeks to harmonize with natural systems, promoting a state of abundance that already exists. Soil health and profitability don’t compete; they complement each other. Likewise, farmer wellbeing and stewardship reinforce rather than oppose.
However, it’s vital to acknowledge the challenging moment we find ourselves in. We live in an era where science is often questioned, expertise is reduced to mere opinion, and fear frequently takes precedence over nuanced understanding. I empathize deeply with individuals who have been misled or are responding to feelings of uncertainty and loss. Nonetheless, I believe that compassion must not translate to silence in the face of genuine harm. We must consistently offer both patient dialogue and principled opposition against those actions that undermine farmers, research, and our vital systems.
I’m profoundly grateful for all the farmers, researchers, partners, and colleagues who have trusted me, debated with me, educated me, and collaborated alongside me throughout this journey. OFRF will continue its impactful work. As for me, I will be cheering from the sidelines, passionately advocating for our mission.
While I may be stepping away, I’m not disappearing. I genuinely hope to maintain our connections. If you wish to continue the conversation on organic agriculture, explore the interplay between research and policy, or share your favorite bread recipe, please reach out. I would love that.
Eat well and breathe deeply,
Gordon
