Boldly Grow with OEFFA Policy at the 2025 OEFFA Conference

Policy-Focused Workshops at the 2025 OEFFA Conference

Here’s How to Impact Organic Rules—Steve Ela, National Organic Coalition

The National Organic Standards Board and National Organic Program are responsible for maintaining and improving organic standards. There are numerous ways for individuals to engage and influence this process and it is important that the Board hear practical concerns from producers. This workshop will walk you through how rules are made, how they apply to your farm, and where your voice can make a difference in what those rules look like. 

Friday, February 14 | Workshop Session I: 9:15-10:30 a.m.

Solar/Agrivoltaics Roundtable—Katie Carothers, Old Slate Farm, Matt Kleinhenz, OSU, Milo Petruziello, OEFFA

This session will engage multiple voices in a productive conversation about the contentious issue of agrivoltaics, the practice of integrating agriculture and solar panels on farmland, and how it can impact agricultural land in Ohio. This panel-style session will include perspectives from various voices engaged in this polarizing topic, as Ohio balances both preserving farmland and expanding renewable energy production. Come to learn about all sides of this conversation, as we navigate this complex issue together. 

Friday, February 14 | Workshop Session II: 10:45 a.m.-Noon

Farmer Voices in D.C.—Dave Shively, Shively Farm, Alexis Dragovich, Mud Run Organic Farm, Sophia Buggs, Lady Buggs Pharm, Lauren Hirtle, OEFFA

Are Ohio agricultural voices actually impactful on Capitol Hill? Farmer voices are central to our advocacy work at OEFFA, and amplifying their stories is essential to shaping policies that support healthy agricultural communities and economies. In this session you’ll hear directly from OEFFA member-leaders as they share their experiences advocating in D.C. with our policy team.  

Friday, February 14 | Workshop Session III: 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Influencing Federal Food and Farm Policy—Stef Funk, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) 

Congress is currently working on crafting a new farm bill, which means we have an important window of opportunity to influence food and farm policy for the next five years! Learn to leverage local experience for national impact in this interactive workshop. Participants will leave with the knowledge of how to gauge their elected officials’ priorities, how to craft a compelling narrative around your ask, and how to advocate for climate-friendly, socially just farm policy.

Friday, February 14 | Workshop Session IV: 3-4:15 p.m.

The Fight for Fair Markets—Patty Lovera, Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment

Just a handful of companies control the markets in every sector of agriculture, creating big obstacles for those working to rebuild regional food systems, create dignified, safe, and fair conditions for farmers, and protect public health. Learn more about how extreme levels of consolidation impact the food system, including organic agriculture, and opportunities to level the playing field for a fairer and healthier food system.

Saturday, February 15 | Workshop Session V: 10:45 a.m.-Noon

Farm Bill: What We Know and Where We’re Going—Patty Lovera, Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, Stef Funk, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, Steve Ela, National Organic Coalition, Milo Petruziello, OEFFA

Join food and farm experts from around the country for this panel discussion about the status and the future of the farm bill. The policies set in D.C. are very important to our local conservation and agricultural resilience. We will talk about the current landscape of upcoming federal legislation and review what our new Ohio members of the 119th Congress can do to support our mission.

Saturday, February 15 | Workshop Session VI: 1:30-2:45 p.m.

Drought and Our Way Out—Aaron Wilson, OSU, Rob Hamilton, Ohio Department of Agriculture

This year, Ohio experienced the most severe drought in decades. Farmers and growers experienced crop and livestock losses in the face of natural disaster declarations from the USDA, often unsure how to access much-needed support and resources from governmental programs. Join this workshop to learn how federal and state policies can help us be more resilient, and how to better understand the climate and its effects on our agriculture industry.

Saturday, February 15 | Workshop Session VII: 3-4:15 p.m.

Join Us for a Screening of Organic Rising

Our team will be screening Organic Rising, a 2023 award-winning documentary highlighting the need to evolve the American agricultural system to one that conserves natural resources, provides healthy food for communities, and protects food security into the future. Featuring interviews with farmers, researchers, and activists, the film looks at the modern organic movement and the people who make it who it is.

This film is being shown as the second installment of the 2025 OEFFA Policy Film Screening Series. Enjoy this time together with your fellow conference-goers and enjoy some popcorn with our friends at Shagbark Seed & Mill!

Friday, February 14 | 7:30 p.m. | Conference registration not required

Connect With Us in the Exhibit Hall

In between shopping and networking in the exhibit hall, be sure to stop by the Policy Program booth! There, you’ll have an opportunity to chat with our team, pick up informational materials, and sign up for future advocacy and programming opportunities.

We look forward to celebrating sustainable agriculture with you in Februrary!