OFRF’s New Strategic Plan (2024-2029)
By OFRF workers
On the Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), we’ve at all times been guided by our dedication to fostering the advance and widespread adoption of natural farming methods. Our mission stays on the coronary heart of the whole lot we do: to domesticate natural analysis, schooling, and federal insurance policies that assist deliver extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing. And now, with the approval of our 2024-2029 strategic plan, we’re extra centered and energized than ever to make this imaginative and prescient a actuality.
“We’re thrilled to unveil our new five-year strategic plan, representing a big step ahead for OFRF and the natural farming neighborhood. This plan not solely reinforces our dedication to fostering natural agriculture but in addition units formidable targets to broaden our neighborhood and deepen our dedication to fairness. These targets will information our efforts over the following 5 years, making certain that natural farming is acknowledged because the main type of agriculture, benefiting each farmers and the planet.” – April Thatcher, President of OFRF’s Board of Administrators and founder and farmer of April Pleasure Farm.
Our new strategic plan units the course for the following 5 years, outlining formidable targets that align with our mission, imaginative and prescient, and values. It’s a roadmap that builds on our basis, adapts to the challenges of at the moment, and prepares us for the way forward for natural farming.
Why We’re Excited About This Plan
This plan displays who we’re as a company and what we stand for. It represents a collective effort—from workers, board members, and farmers—coming collectively to set priorities to maneuver natural farming ahead.
On the core of the plan are some thrilling initiatives we are able to’t wait to share.
Supporting Farmers, Listening to Their Wants
Farmers are on the coronary heart of the whole lot we do at OFRF, and our strategic plan strengthens this dedication. By commonly gathering suggestions from natural and transitioning producers, we’ll launch new initiatives to immediately help growers, form analysis and schooling round their most urgent challenges, and create stronger connections between farmers, researchers, and native organizations. From creating extra structured alternatives for farmers to share their insights, which can assist information our work, to new assets addressing local weather threats—we’re centered on making certain farmers have the instruments they should thrive whereas main the best way in constructing resilient, sustainable farming methods.
Advancing Local weather Options By Natural Practices
We all know that natural farming generally is a highly effective software in mitigating local weather change. Our plan prioritizes efforts to develop the position of natural methods in local weather resilience and sustainability. We’ll be engaged on campaigns and academic efforts to showcase the real-world, on-the-ground advantages of natural farming in addressing local weather challenges.
Increasing Analysis and Schooling Alternatives
Over the following 5 years, we’re dedicated to increasing the provision and entry to science-based assets for farmers, ranchers, and ag professionals. Our Natural Analysis Hub (coming quickly!) will function a central platform for sharing modern analysis and sensible functions in an easy-to-use manner that promotes the long-term success of natural farming methods.
Constructing Our Advocacy Work
We’re increasing our advocacy work to make sure that the voices of natural farmers are heard on the highest ranges of decision-making. We’ll proceed to symbolize the wants of farmers in Washington, D.C., and within the halls of Congress, advocating for insurance policies and USDA applications that advance natural agriculture. By doing so, we purpose to create a extra equitable and supportive panorama for all farmers striving to farm extra sustainably.
Deepening Our Dedication to Fairness and Inclusion
Natural farming can solely thrive if it’s accessible and inclusive. Our strategic plan emphasizes our duty to dismantle systemic limitations inside agriculture and to foster a various and equitable meals system. We’ll proceed to amplify BIPOC farmer voices, enhance outreach to underserved communities, and work towards a meals system that advantages everybody.
What’s Subsequent for OFRF
This plan is about greater than setting targets—it’s about making significant change. With our new strategic priorities in place, we’re wanting to roll up our sleeves and get to work on the particular actions that may drive the natural motion ahead.
We’ve set formidable targets for the following 5 years, and we all know we’ll want the help of our neighborhood—farmers, researchers, companions, and advocates—to make them a actuality. Collectively, we are going to take daring steps to make sure that natural farming not solely grows however leads the best way in creating wholesome, resilient individuals, ecosystems, and economies.
“As we embark on this thrilling journey with our new strategic plan, we’re dedicated to fostering collaboration and inclusivity throughout the natural farming neighborhood. Collectively, we are able to tackle the challenges forward and work towards a sustainable future that advantages all farmers and our planet. We look ahead to partaking with every of you as we flip our imaginative and prescient into motion.” – Keith Richards, Chair of OFRF’s Board of Administrators.
That is just the start, and we invite you to hitch us on this journey. Keep tuned for extra updates as we start to implement our plan and see the affect it would have on the way forward for natural agriculture.
Let’s work collectively to create a stronger, extra sustainable future via natural farming. Subscribe to our publication to remain knowledgeable about our progress and methods to help our work.
