FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Dec. 5, 2024 — The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF) is proud to announce the creation of the Natural Stewardship Council, a brand new advisory group that underscores OFRF’s unwavering dedication to taking its lead from farmers. For 35 years, OFRF has labored to advance natural farming programs by listening to and amplifying the voices of natural and transitioning to natural farmers. The Natural Stewardship Council builds on this legacy, making certain that farmers stay central to its analysis, schooling, and advocacy efforts.
“Farmers have at all times been on the coronary heart of our work, and this council represents one other step ahead in maintaining their views entrance and middle,” shared Brise Tencer, Govt Director of OFRF. “By formalizing this advisory physique, we’re creating a permanent construction that empowers farmers to information and form our work at each stage. We’re thrilled to carry collectively this council of skilled voices who perceive the challenges and alternatives in natural farming.”
The Natural Stewardship Council will encompass farmers from totally different areas, agricultural backgrounds, and numerous farming communities, in addition to representatives from farmer associations and certification our bodies. A Board-appointed liaison may even serve on the Council to take care of robust ties with OFRF’s governance. Council members will likely be compensated for his or her time, both immediately or by way of the group they signify, in recognition of their essential position in shaping OFRF’s work.
The inaugural members of the Council will likely be introduced in early 2025 following a aggressive nomination and assessment course of and approval from OFRF’s Board of Administrators. These stewards will carry their numerous voices collectively to form OFRF’s work and elevate the priorities of natural and transitioning farmers nationwide.
The Council will supply invaluable suggestions and proposals to OFRF’s Board and workers throughout a spread of areas, together with:
- Shaping OFRF’s applications by providing perception into instructional assets, analysis priorities, and coverage advocacy to make sure they align with the wants of natural and transitioning farmers.
- Voicing farmer views by elevating on-the-ground realities and challenges farmers face to information OFRF’s strategic path.
- Evaluating the affect and offering suggestions on the relevance and effectiveness of OFRF applications.
- Addressing rising agricultural points, together with the Nationwide Natural Analysis Agenda (NORA), suggestions on OFRF’s new Natural Analysis Hub, and Farm Invoice priorities.
The creation of the Council reinforces OFRF’s foundational perception that the voices of natural and transitioning farmers are very important to shaping the way forward for agriculture. This method has pushed OFRF’s work from the beginning, from groundbreaking analysis to instructional assets and coverage efforts that deal with the essential challenges farmers face. “The Natural Stewardship Council will deepen our connection to the farming neighborhood and strengthen our means to reply to their evolving wants,” Tencer mentioned.
With this Council, OFRF continues to guide with the voices of natural farmers and create modern pathways to advance the adoption of natural farming programs that prioritize local weather resilience, soil well being, and sustainability.
For extra details about OFRF and its initiatives, go to www.ofrf.org.
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About Natural Farming Analysis Basis
The Natural Farming Analysis Basis (OFRF), headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, with a distant crew based mostly throughout the U.S., works to foster the development and widespread adoption of natural farming programs. OFRF cultivates natural analysis, schooling, and federal insurance policies that carry extra farmers and acreage into natural manufacturing. For extra details about OFRF, please go to our web site: www.ofrf.org.
Media Contact
Ashley Dulaney, Communications Director, OFRF
ashley@ofrf.orf
P.O. Field 440, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
