Written by Vinnie Trometter
When people think of organic food these days, they might picture a well-stocked grocery store, a local farmers’ market, or their favorite organic snack. What most people don’t picture? A day of meetings on Capitol Hill.
But that’s precisely where you’ll find us.
With the future of agricultural policy in flux and renewed attention on domestic food security, climate resilience, and sustainable farming practices, it’s more important than ever that organic farmers—and the science that supports them—have a seat at the table.
OFRF has been working hard to increase our presence in Washington, D.C., to make sure organic farmers have a voice in the decisions shaping agriculture policy. And what’s been especially encouraging lately is this: organic farming is something both sides of the aisle can get behind.
As OFRF’s point person in D.C., I spend my days walking the halls of Congress, meeting with lawmakers and their staff, and talking about the value of organic farming research. We work closely with coalition partners and farmer representatives to ensure organic perspectives are heard and reflected in policy decisions. What’s striking is that whether I’m in a Democrat’s office or a Republican’s, the conversations almost always land in the same place: organic farming research matters.
With some offices, the conversation might start with a concern about the trade deficit, increasing domestic food production, or improving public health. For others, conversation may focus on sustainability, conservation, and environmental health. But in the end, the key point is the same—investing in organic research benefits farmers in all parts of the country.
