Rooted in Resilience: Organic Farmers Shaping the Future
Farmer-driven research, education, and advocacy are the roots of a thriving organic food system. Our friends at the Organic Farming Research Foundation are cultivating those roots and ensuring that organic farmers have the science-backed tools and resources they need to thrive.
This year, farmers across the United States and beyond faced uncertainty, from extreme weather to changes in funding availability for organic research and conservation programs. Yet through it all, one thing remained constant: the resilience and innovation of organic farmers, and the community that stands beside them. Time and again, we have seen organic farmers pivot and adapt, changing course as needed throughout time to continue their vital work caring for the planet and feeding their communities. None of this would be possible without ongoing scientific research critical to helping organic farmers make informed choices to support innovation & adaptation on their farms – research that takes time, expertise, and even more critically: stable funding. And for that, there’s no better place than the Organic Farming Research Foundation (OFRF). OFRF is unique as an organization with over 35 years of experience and guided by farmer input; their work transcends borders, cultivating an organic revolution rooted in science, education, and advocacy.
In the face of these challenges, it’s more important than ever to invest in the future of organic agriculture – and that’s exactly what Nature’s Path is doing. This year, we are continuing our long-standing annual commitment to match, dollar for dollar, donations up to $15,000 to OFRF, and we’re calling all organic champions to join us in this cause!
Ours is a partnership rooted in shared values and decades of dedication – OFRF has spent more than 35 years standing shoulder-to-shoulder with organic farmers across the country. Through OFRF’s unique research, education, and advocacy work, they support organic farmers with the tools they need to thrive.
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Their newly launched Organic Research Hub and resource library provide a one-stop shop for accessible, science-backed resources for farmers.
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The Farmer-Led Trials Program provides technical assistance to farmers designing their own trials and testing new place-based practices to meet the unique needs of their agroecosystem and community.
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A suite of Federal Assistance Toolkits help farmers know what funding is available to them and how to access it to improve their production systems and increase conservation on their farms.
- And OFRF’s Policy Team stays busy speaking up for organics on the Hill, and helping farmers learn to use their voices in decision-making spaces, to advocate for legislation that will help us all grow the resilient organic future we all need.
Why Organic Matters - For People & the Planet
Nature’s Path has spent over 40 years committed to a singular purpose: to leave the Earth better than we found it through the power of organic food systems. Since the beginning, we have worked to make organic food more accessible to all, guided by a deep belief in the power of organic to nourish people and protect the planet. Our Annual Matching Campaign with OFRF is an extension of that aspiration.
Choosing organic isn’t just good food for your plate – it consistently performs across 
enumerable social and environmental indicators for sustainability. Organic farming can yield up to 40% more than conventional systems during droughts, making it a more resilient choice in the face of climate change. It’s also significantly cleaner for the environment, using about 50% less new reactive nitrogen, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate pollution. But the benefits don’t stop there. Organic agriculture helps protect nearby rural and urban communities by avoiding synthetic pesticides that can linger in the air, water, and soil, reducing harmful exposure and promoting healthier ecosystems and lifestyles.*
Over the next year, partner contributions will:
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Support farmers in organic innovation, driving solutions for climate resilience.
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Amplify organic farmers’ and researchers’ voices in shaping policies to create a healthier planet.
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Provide technical and financial support for farmers across the country to conduct trials that solve real-world challenges.
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Facilitate knowledge-sharing through networking, connecting farmers with legislators, and building a united movement.
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Create multilingual, science-backed resources, making organic farming knowledge accessible to all.
"Long-term partnerships, including dedicated financial support, allow us to be forward-thinking about how to best serve organic growers. With the support of Nature’s Path Organic Foods we have been able to grow our programs to fund more on-farm research and grower education that supports the success of organic farmers while giving them the knowledge and tools to be leading stewards of the land."
– Brise Tencer, OFRF Executive Director
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Foote Brook Farm in Johnson, VT |
Field research at Nordic Farm in Charlotte, VT by USDA Univ of Vermont's Food Systems Research Institute (FSRI) |
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April Thatcher, OFRF Board President, at April Joy Farm |
OFRF’s Gordon Merrick and Ashley Dulaney at Nordic Farms |
This Annual Matching Campaign continues to plant the seeds of innovation & resiliency in organic agriculture
This season, Nature’s Path Organic Foods is proud to support the Organic Farming Research Foundation by matching donations – up to $15,000 – through December 31st.
We invite you to join us in sharing this opportunity with your network, giving back where possible and learning more about OFRF’s incredible work advancing research, education, and policy that strengthen our organic food system. Together, we’re helping build a healthier, more resilient future – one where organic farming thrives and communities flourish. Visit OFRF’s website to learn more and take part in this impactful initiative.
As a valued supporter, your support fuels the research, education, and policy advocacy that drive meaningful change in our food system. With your help, we’re building a healthier, more resilient future – where organic farming thrives and communities flourish. Together we’re not just planting seeds of change – we're growing lasting impact.
*The Science Behind Organic Resource Guide, US Organic Trade Association, 2024
