Organic Farming Research Foundation

Home
United States
Santa Cruz, CA
Organic Farming Research Foundation

Call Directions Website Contact the school

OFRF fosters the improvement and widespread adoption of organic farming systems.
(365)

Since its founding, OFRF has provided 337 grants to organic researchers and farmers, investing more than $3,000,000. OFRF grants have lasting impacts on organic farming knowledge and the lives of farmers and researchers. Overall, OFRF grant funding has advanced scientific knowledge and improved the practices, ecological sustainability and economic prosperity of organic farming. OFRF grants have played a crucial role in advancing the careers of young scientists, enabling them to leverage significant additional funding from state and federal agencies.

10/07/2026

Living soil is the foundation of organic agriculture. Organic farmers build soil health directly, through crop rotation, cover cropping, and compost. They cultivate a biologically active ecosystem of bacteria and fungi, including mycorrhizal fungi that help plant roots access nutrients and water.

The benefits reach beyond the farm. Healthier soil holds more organic carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere. It also reduces runoff that could otherwise carry pollutants into nearby streams and rivers or contaminate water sources.

Caring for soil means caring for the climate, the water, and the ecosystems connected to every farm.

Organic is for the planet.

How do you care for your soil? Share your thoughts below!

Photo from Barry Young, Young Family Farms.

09/29/2026

Not sure where to start when it comes to funding your farm, getting organic certified, or improving your conservation practices? OFRF's new “Start Here” guide walks you through your options step by step.

This free resource covers accessing funding, organic certification, conservation practices, and research support, all in one place. Each program listed includes who’s eligible, what’s covered, when to apply, and how to apply, so you can quickly find what fits your operation.

One tip from the guide: most programs require a farmers.gov account, so it's worth setting it up early.

Check it out here: https://ofrf.org/news/start-here-farmer-rancher-government-programs-guide

09/28/2026

Organic farming helps protect biodiversity, from pollinators in hedgerows to the organisms living in the soil.

Organic farmers use practices that maintain or improve biodiversity on their farms, including diverse crop rotations and permanent hedgerows. These practices provide pollinators with a more consistent supply of food and habitat and create space for a wider range of organisms to thrive.

But building habitat is only half the picture. What organic farming leaves out matters just as much. Pesticides can harm soil invertebrates such as earthworms, ants, beetles, and bees, and widespread insect population declines already threaten the ecosystems that support agriculture and other forms of life. Organic production prohibits most synthetic pesticides, reducing one of the biggest pressures on these organisms.

Biodiversity is part of what makes agricultural ecosystems function. Protecting it — what’s added and what’s avoided — helps support healthy farms, healthy ecosystems, and the food systems that depend on them.

Organic is for the planet.

Sunflower photo from Foote Brook Farm in Johnson, VT

09/28/2026

Furrow irrigation is one of the oldest methods of watering crops, but it takes a lot of experience and planning to make sure it’s efficient.

Gated pipes send water down the rows, and a laser-leveled 1% grade keeps it flowing slowly downhill. The deep-rooted crops best suited for this practice can go 10 days to 2 weeks between watering, and the method can even make weeding easier (if done right).

Have you heard of this before? Do you know someone who farms this way? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

09/24/2026

Happy fall, y'all! 🍂

We asked organic farmers from across the country what this season means to them, from garlic harvests to shorter days to getting the fields ready for winter. It's a good reminder that their year follows the land; something you live by, not just something you notice.

These voices come from our Organic Stewardship Council, the farmer-led group that guides our work. Click through to hear about fall in their words. 🌾

09/23/2026

Four generations of the McLean family have farmed citrus in Clermont, Florida, and today Ben McLean III of Uncle Matt's Organic and McLean Family Farms is using science, conservation practices, and NRCS support to protect that legacy.

After citrus greening disease wiped out over 90% of Florida’s citrus acreage, Ben turned to NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to implement cover cropping, nutrient sampling, and pest management on his farm. The results speak for themselves: 25% more manganese availability within 90 days of planting, thriving pollinator habitat, and a more resilient operation overall.

Read Ben’s full story and learn how EQIP could support your farm too: ofrf.org/news/using-synergy-conservation-practices-and-nrcs-support-to-save-citrus-with-uncle-matts-organic

09/21/2026

Can teff handle high winds? 🌾🌪️

Kristin Swoszowski-Tran, of Ledoux Grange in Mora, NM, conducted an on-farm trial to evaluate 14 teff accessions for their performance under the farm’s characteristically windy, high-altitude conditions.

Her trial, findings, and lessons learned are all available in this final report, as are the results from all our Farmer-Led Trial Program participants. Read the full report: https://hub.ofrf.org/resource/ofrf-farmer-led-trials-evaluating-teff-accessions-for-lodging-resistance-and-performance-at-high-altitude

09/18/2026

OFRF is heading to the Common Ground Country Fair next week, and we hope to see you there!

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA)'s Common Ground Country Fair is an annual celebration of rural living, featuring over 1,000 exhibitors and speakers, with a focus on sustainable living, local economies, and organic agriculture. Rebecca and Clare will be giving a talk entitled "Organic in the Northeast: Farmer Insights & Challenges” at 12 p.m. in the Windsor Tent.

🗓️ Friday, September 25, 2026
📍 Common Ground Education Center, Unity, ME.

In the presentation, Rebecca and Clare will discuss the findings from our recently released National Organic Research Agenda Report and share resources for farmers interested in engaging in research.

Learn more here: https://ofrf.org/event/organic-in-the-northeast-farmer-insights-and-challenges/

09/15/2026

For organic sheep farmers, finding effective, certifier-approved interventions to reduce parasite load is a persistent challenge.

To find a solution, the Lucas Family, of Chestnut Acres Farm in Kelso, TN, applied to OFRF's Farmer-Led Trials Program. This year they trialed an organic drench of black walnut, garlic, and molasses, on their lambs to manage parasites.

Read the full blog on our website: https://ofrf.org/news/farmer-led-trials-program-spotlight-chestnut-acres/

09/14/2026

Organic farming is the original climate-resilient agriculture.

Nearly 90% of organic farmers use cover crops, which protect soil from erosion while helping it sequester carbon. Keeping soil covered means less heat radiating off bare ground, better absorption of solar energy, and more water soaking in instead of running off.

Along with other common organic practices that keep soil covered, like mulching and conservation tillage, cover cropping allows farmers to build healthier, more biologically active soil. The result is crops that can withstand drought and other extreme weather.

Organic farming feeds us while stabilizing our food systems for climate change. Organic is for the planet.

Address

303 Potrero Street Ste 29/203
Santa Cruz, CA
95060

Telephone

+1 831-426-6606

Website

http://ofrf.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Organic Farming Research Foundation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The School

Send a message to Organic Farming Research Foundation:

Want your school to be the top-listed school/college in Santa Cruz?