From L-R: Abby Youngblood (ED of NOC), Rep. Balint (VT-AL), Dr. Jennifer Taylor (Lola’s Organics), and Gordon Merrick (OFRF)
It has been a busy spring within the coverage world this yr! With “marker invoice season” absolutely upon us, OFRF is actively working with our coalition and congressional companions to advocate for expanded public help for natural agriculture analysis. As OFRF’s Coverage & Applications Supervisor, I used to be down in DC taking part within the Nationwide Natural Coalition’s fly-in from March twenty first to twenty fourth. I met with eight totally different congressional workplaces throughout the week, and the coalition members met with practically 60 in whole! I had the chance to voice the significance of natural agriculture analysis with two Congressional members, Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Becca Balint (VT-AL). The dialog with Rep. Balint occurred whereas we have been strolling between different conferences, some true sidewalk lobbying! As a part of this fly-in, coalition members, together with myself, have been additionally in a position to meet with USDA Undersecretary Jenny Moffitt to discuss strengthening the executive processes that make up the Nationwide Natural Program, and the historic funding in supporting natural producers within the USDA’s Natural Transition Initiative.
Alongside our direct engagement with Congress, we are also actively working to help you in sharing your experiences with these packages and the coverage making course of! One instance is the essential work Eric Brennan, PhD engaged in when he introduced testimony in a California coverage making course of, ensuring that the insurance policies pursued by the State have been grounded in science and actuality. You’ll be able to examine, and take heed to, Eric’s testimony right here. To additional this work, we’ve been providing a workshop sequence for publicly-funded researchers discussing the distinctive challenges and alternatives for researchers employed at public universities.
If you wish to get entangled in advocating for continued and expanded public help for natural agriculture analysis, please attain out to me, Gordon Merrick, at gordon@ofrf.org. We’re growing toolkits for congressional outreach discussing our priorities in addition to marker payments we’re supporting as they’re launched. Maintain a watch out for these supplies in future newsletters and communications from us!
And if you wish to be taught extra concerning the Farm Invoice, listed here are some extra sources that we use on this work:
Eat nicely,
Gordon
