About OEFFA's Policy Program

OEFFA cultivates a future where sustainable and organic farmers thrive, local food nourishes our communities, and agricultural practices protect and enhance the environment.

To realize that vision, changes in state and federal policy are needed so small- and mid-sized farmers can thrive in fair and transparent markets and can access the land they need to grow products that sustain community resilience. OEFFA’s policy program empowers our members to enact that change.

Developed with OEFFA members, our Policy Program’s Narrative and Statements of Belief drive our advocacy work and help us shift the dominant narrative around agriculture—which is based on exploitation, inequity, scarcity, and homogeneity.

Serving as guiding principles for everything we do, our narrative centers democracy, equity, diversity, resilience, sustainability, and community.

Read the Narrative

OEFFA’s Policy Program Team

Milo Petruziello

Policy Director

Milo has more than a decade of experience working at the grassroots level of the organic and local food movement.

As OEFFA’s former Events Director, Milo was the primary organizer of 11 OEFFA conferences and has worked with diverse farmers across Ohio on educational programs, fundraising events, and advocacy.

When he is not serving as a key voice in OEFFA’s strategy for serving farmers and food system advocates across the state, Milo gains much satisfaction from cooking with ingredients he buys locally.

Contact Milo

Lauren Hirtle

Grassroots Policy Organizer

Lauren has worked for OEFFA since 2018, previously in OEFFA’s Organic Certification Program as a Food Justice and Organic Certification Specialist.

She has worked on farms and for non-profits throughout central Ohio and New York as a field worker, educator, and community organizer.

When she is not working toward a just, equitable food system, she enjoys running her small landscaping business, making art, and spending time with her husband and dog.

Contact Lauren

Nicole Wolcott

Grassroots Policy Organizer

Nicole started working with OEFFA in 2023, with experience coming from being an organizer in the broader environmental justice field over the past five years.

She grew up in the organic foods industry and is passionate about building collective power for equitable access to local, organic foods.

When she is not engaging in deep community-building work, she enjoys doing anything outside and using nature to cook nourishing foods and make natural body care products.

Contact Nicole

Grassroots Advocacy

OEFFA’s members are the heart of our grassroots efforts. We’re stronger when we cultivate leaders and uplift members’ voices. There are many ways to get involved and advocate for a just, equitable, and sustainable agricultural system:

Join an OEFFA Caucus!
Share your story with us! Tell us your vision for the future, the policy obstacles you face, or how the climate crisis impacts your farm.
Write a letter to the editor or an op-ed for your local newspaper.
Attend meetings, public hearings, lobby days, or farmer fly-ins with elected officials.
Provide comments to the National Organic Standards Board.
Take advantage of leadership and skill-building training opportunities.
Host a farm tour, film screening, or workshop.

Contact OEFFA’s policy program to get started!

Policy Grounded in National Expertise

OEFFA’s policy program collaborates with national leaders in organic and sustainable agriculture, whose expertise and resources are critical to OEFFA’s policy work.

Some of our key national partners include the National Organic Coalition, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, the Organic Farmers Association, and the National Healthy Soils Policy Network.

In addition to the national groups mentioned above, OEFFA also collaborates with Real Organic Project, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Beyond Pesticides, American Farmland Trust, National Young Farmers Coalition, Land Stewardship Project, Center for Food Safety, Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center, Rural Advancement Foundation International, and others.

Policy Grounded in Local Experience

OEFFA’s policy program also partners with Ohio’s grassroots policy network of state and local organizations to work toward our shared goals and strengthen Ohio’s food and farm system.

Our state and local partners include the Ohio Food Policy Network, The BIPOC Food & Farming Network, the Ohio Farmers Market Network, the Ohio Farmers Union, and Rural Action.

OEFFA’s Philanthropic Supporters

In addition to the farmers, advocates, and community members who share their stories and help us strengthen our collective voice, we are endlessly grateful for the support that comes through OEFFA membership.

Our advocacy work would also not be possible without the generous support from Farm Aid, The George Gund Foundation, GRACE Communications Foundation, McKnight Foundation, and the 11th Hour Project.